Coronation Street star to join Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor in upcoming 2023 series
Millie Gibson, the 18-year-old actress known for her role in Coronation Street, has been revealed as the new companion to the 15th Doctor in the iconic series Doctor Who. During a special live segment on Children In Need, Gibson’s character, Ruby Sunday, was announced as the Doctor’s latest travel companion.
Gibson, who recently won the Best Young Performer award for her portrayal of Kelly Neelan in Coronation Street, will star alongside Ncuti Gatwa, who takes on the role of the 15th Doctor, marking a new era for the long-running show.
In a statement, Gibson expressed her excitement and disbelief, saying, “I am beyond honoured to be cast as the Doctor’s companion. It’s a dream role, and I will do everything I can to live up to the legacy left by previous companions. I can’t wait to join Ncuti on this incredible journey.”
The actress has previously appeared in ITV’s Butterfly and BBC’s Love, Lies and Records.
The announcement comes after Jodie Whittaker’s tenure as the first female Doctor ended with a special episode in October, celebrating the BBC’s centenary. In a surprise twist, Whittaker’s 13th Doctor regenerated into David Tennant, who will now appear as the 14th Doctor in a series of special episodes airing in November 2023.
Gatwa, 30, who will officially take on the 15th Doctor role after Tennant’s specials, spoke highly of his new co-star, saying, “Millie is a natural. She has a spark that draws everyone in and a talent that’s second to none. This adventure is going to be absolutely wild, and I can’t wait to share it with her.”
Russell T Davies, the showrunner for Doctor Who, who has returned to helm the series as it teams up with Disney, praised Gibson’s talent. “Millie is brilliant, dynamic, and clever. I’ve seen her face challenges on Coronation Street, but nothing compares to the adventure ahead for Ruby Sunday,” he said.
The new episodes of Doctor Who, set to air in November 2023, will also commemorate the show’s 60th anniversary. In a significant development, the BBC has partnered with Disney Branded Television, which will see future seasons of Doctor Who available to stream on Disney+ outside of the UK and Ireland.
The announcement was made as part of Children In Need’s 42nd annual fundraiser, where the total raised reached an impressive £15.4 million.
Doctor Who fans can look forward to an exciting new era with Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, alongside Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor, in what promises to be a thrilling chapter for the beloved sci-fi series.
