Doctor Who's new partner fits the Bill

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• Publication: Sunday Express
• Date: 2016-04-24
• Author: Harry Kemble
• Page: 11
• Language: English

DOCTOR WHO'S new companion was announced yesterday afternoon - and it's a girl called Bill.

Pearl Mackie, 28, will replace Jenna Coleman when filming starts for the new series in a few weeks. The London actress, currently starring in The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time in the West End, said she was "incredibly excited" to be joining the Doctor Who cast.

She described Bill as "cool, strong and sharp - a little bit vulnerable with a bit of geekiness thrown in".

Peter Capaldi, the 12th Doctor, said: "Pearl is a fine, fine actress with a wonderful zest and charm. She's a refreshing addition to the Tardis." The role was announced to the nation on BBC One during coverage of the FA Cup semi-final.

Pearl's character replaces Clara Oswald, played by Coleman, who asked to be written out of the show.

"I couldn't be prouder to call the Tardis my home," said Pearl. "Doctor Who is such an extraordinary British institution. Shooting the trailer was absolutely mental - there were pyrotechnics and smoke and I met my first Dalek.

"I'm not sure it will ever become normal seeing crazy monsters on set but I can't wait to meet some more. The weirder the better, bring it on.

"Peter Capaldi is a brilliant actor and his Doctor is such a wacky and wonderful character. I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for him and Bill through time and space.

"Reading the script at the audition I thought Bill was wicked. Fantastically written, cool, strong, sharp, a little bit vulnerable with a bit of geeki-ness thrown in.

"I can't wait to bring her to life, and to see how she develops.

"I always loved stage combat at drama school so it's going to be great to get on set and kick some evil monsters into the next dimension."

Sebastian J Brook, editor of Doctor Who Online, said: "It's great news that Pearl has been chosen - a really good choice.

"Even Peter Capaldi admitted she was going to take the role in a whole new direction. I think there's going to be real chemistry between them.

"Pearl was one of our top three contenders, alongside Rakhee Thakrar and Maddy Hill."

Pearl trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2010.

Since drama school, she has worked across theatre, film, radio and TV, playing Anne-Marie Frasier in Doctors in 2014.

The next full series of Dr Who will be broadcast in 2017, although there will be a Christmas Special.

Pearl is the latest in a proud line of companions, with previous incumbents including Billie Piper, Karen Gillan and Catherine Tate.

The show itself has enjoyed cult status as a British drama since it was first aired in 1963.

It ran until 1989 and was then revived in 2005 by Russell T Davies.

Caption: ZEST AND CHARM: Pearl Mackie, 28, has been announced as the new companion to Dr Who. The actress currently starring In the West End, was revealed during a trailer for the new series, right, shown during the FA Cup semifinal

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• APA 6th ed.: Kemble, Harry (2016-04-24). Doctor Who's new partner fits the Bill. Sunday Express p. 11.
• MLA 7th ed.: Kemble, Harry. "Doctor Who's new partner fits the Bill." Sunday Express [add city] 2016-04-24, 11. Print.
• Chicago 15th ed.: Kemble, Harry. "Doctor Who's new partner fits the Bill." Sunday Express, edition, sec., 2016-04-24
• Turabian: Kemble, Harry. "Doctor Who's new partner fits the Bill." Sunday Express, 2016-04-24, section, 11 edition.
• Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Doctor Who's new partner fits the Bill | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Doctor_Who%27s_new_partner_fits_the_Bill | work=Sunday Express | pages=11 | date=2016-04-24 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=10 June 2025 }}</ref>
• Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Doctor Who's new partner fits the Bill | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Doctor_Who%27s_new_partner_fits_the_Bill | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=10 June 2025}}</ref>