Who's This?
- Publication: The Sun
- Date: 2006-06-16
- Author: Sara Nathan
- Page: 7
- Language: English
Who's this? Crossroads Freema set to replace Billie
FORMER Crossroads stunner Freema Agyeman was last night revealed to be the front-runner to replace Billie Piper in Doctor Who.
Freema, 26, (left) will appear in the final two episodes of the BBC1 sci-fi hit's current series playing a character called Adeola.
She joins the Timelord — played by David Tennant — and his sidekick Rose Tyler in battle against the dreaded Cybermen.
And insiders say she will join the Doctor on the Tardis full-time in the third series after her appearance in the episodes called Army of Ghosts and Doomsday.
Fantastic
As we told exclusively yesterday in later editions. Billie will NOT be returning for the Christmas special or the new series.
The highlight of Freema's career so far has been playing seductress Lola Wise in doomed ITV soap Crossroads in 2001.
The Londoner has also appeared in Casualty, The Bill and Silent Witness.
Last night a BBC source said: "Freema is a fantastic actress. She is great-in the final episode.
"And she is more than capable of stepping into Billie's shoes to play the Doctor's new cohort.
"Don't forget. no one knew Billie could act before we gave her the job and she's proved to he a sensation."
Freema could join the Timelord in new adventures that will see them meeting Shakespeare in the third series. Filming starts in just five weeks.
Executive producer Julie Gardener said: "We are in pre-production on Doctor Who 3. We'll be filming for 34 weeks beginning with a Christmas special."
She said the Tardis will travel to the future in the third series, adding: "And into the past where we will meet Shakespeare — and why wouldn't you!"
Last night a BBC spokeswoman refused to confirm Freema was taking over from Billie as Dr Who's sidekick.
Other names linked to the role include former EastEnder Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater). She is believed to have auditioned with show bosses for the part.
Billie, 23, is currently filming the BBC's adaptation of Philip Pullman's The Ruby In The Smoke in which she plays Victorian sleuth Sally Lockhart.
The ex-pop star — former wife of DJ Chris Evans — is expected to start filming on a second Pullman novel The Shadow In The North later this summer.
Time team ... David and Billie
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- APA 6th ed.: Nathan, Sara (2006-06-16). Who's This?. The Sun p. 7.
- MLA 7th ed.: Nathan, Sara. "Who's This?." The Sun [add city] 2006-06-16, 7. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Nathan, Sara. "Who's This?." The Sun, edition, sec., 2006-06-16
- Turabian: Nathan, Sara. "Who's This?." The Sun, 2006-06-16, section, 7 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Who's This? | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Who%27s_This%3F | work=The Sun | pages=7 | date=2006-06-16 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=30 March 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Who's This? | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Who%27s_This%3F | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=30 March 2025}}</ref>
