Time Team (2025)
- Publication: TV & Satellite Week
- Date: 2025-04-12
- Author: Steven Perkins
- Page: 4
- Language: English
Varada Sethu journeys to the stars as the Doctor's fiery new companion Belinda
A plucky new companion joins the Doctor in the TARDIS as Doctor Who returns for a new series this week - but unlike a lot of her predecessors, she's not there by choice.
Belinda Chandra (Andor and Annika star Varada Sethu) is an overworked nurse who's at home sleeping after a long shift when she's suddenly abducted by robots and taken to outer space - where Belinda meets the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) for the first time.
The pair are soon caught up in a fight for their lives as they attempt to discover what the robots are up to - but while the Doctor assumes Belinda will become his new partner in adventures through space and time, she just wants to go home.
Here, 32-year-old Sethu tells TV&Satellite Week what it's like being the newest companion...
What can you tell us about Belinda?
She's a nurse on modern-day Earth, and I think my favourite thing about her is that she's just so confident in herself; she's very much the main character in her own plot. She's got her own values system, and she isn't afraid to stand up to the Doctor. She's very independent, and super-selfless.
What was it like working with Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor? I loved it! I had such a great time - he and
Millie Gibson [who returns later in the series as companion Ruby Sunday] are both such amazing, talented, beautiful people. Ncuti's got such a vibrant energy that he brings to the Doctor. As an actor, you want to match that, so you level up your own performance. I had the best time.
What was it like when you first stepped on to the TARDIS set?
Oh, it was so special - it made heart my skip a beat the first time I stepped inside it. I thought, 'Oh my God, now I'm part of this moment. And the way the TARDIS set itself is way constructed, it really does feel like you're on a spaceship.
You previously portrayed an entirely different character on the show - Mundy Flynn in the 2024 episode Boom. When did you find out you'd be coming back to play Belinda? When I did Boom, it was a three-week shoot in Cardiff, and I got along so well with the team and I was really sad to leave. Then when I landed back home, I got a call from my agent saying, 'Do you want to possibly go in for a meeting to potentially talk about maybe becoming the new companion?'
It was so vaguely worded! I went in expecting it to be like an audition, ready to pitch myself, and I realised 10 minutes in that it was actually a pitch to me!
Did any actors who have previously played companions offer you advice?
Mandip Gill [who played Yasmin Khan, companion to Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor] reached out, and I feel like both Millie and Mandip gave me the same advice, which is that it's super-intense and absolutely mad, but to lean in and have as much fun as possible.
Captions:
Belinda travels through outer space
Belinda (centre) is abducted by robots
Stars Varada Sethu and Ncuti Gatwa
SEASON 2: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies reveals the secrets of the new series...
MISSION TO MIAMI Although Belinda is initially a reluctant traveller, her adventures with the Doctor soon give her a new perspective. 'Within a week, she's having fun on board the TARDIS,' reveals Davies. 'On her first trip, she ends up in Miami in 1952 [right]!'
The Doctor is on a mission to get Belinda back home - but it won't be as easy as they think. 'They end up in the wilds of outer space and discover that the one day they can't get back to is the day Belinda left,' says Davies. 'There's a big reason behind that.'
RUBY'S RETURN Millie Gibson (left) will be returning as Ruby Sunday in the fourth episode, Lucky Day, which explores Ruby's life after leaving the Doctor. 'There's going to be a bit of PTSD in there,' hints Davies. 'She's seen death on a ferocious scale and escaped by the skin of her teeth, so going back to a normal life is hard.'
FLOOD ALERT Anita Dobson (right) will be reprising her role as the enigmatic Mrs Flood, and we will finally find out who she is. 'She's being more mysterious than ever, and I promise viewers some shocking answers,' says Davies. 'There's a lot of fun to come.'
POP STARS The sixth episode, titled The Interstellar Song Contest, is set to air immediately before Eurovision on 17 May and stars Rylan Clark (left). 'We were saving money like mad throughout to be able to afford Episode 6,' smiles Davies. 'Eurovision is the most spectacular stage show you will ever watch - and we're going to match that.'
CARTOON CAPERS As well as Rylan, there's an array of guest stars appearing this season. 'Alan Cumming is the voice of a cartoon that comes to life called Mr Ring-a-Ding [right],' says Davies. 'Jonah Hauer-King is new, too, and Freddie Fox-plus Bonnie Langford's back as Mel, Ruth Madeley as Shirley, and Jemma Redgrave as Kate. Working with Jemma is an absolute joy'
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- APA 6th ed.: Perkins, Steven (2025-04-12). Time Team (2025). TV & Satellite Week p. 4.
- MLA 7th ed.: Perkins, Steven. "Time Team (2025)." TV & Satellite Week [add city] 2025-04-12, 4. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Perkins, Steven. "Time Team (2025)." TV & Satellite Week, edition, sec., 2025-04-12
- Turabian: Perkins, Steven. "Time Team (2025)." TV & Satellite Week, 2025-04-12, section, 4 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Time Team (2025) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Time_Team_(2025) | work=TV & Satellite Week | pages=4 | date=2025-04-12 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=27 May 2026 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Time Team (2025) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Time_Team_(2025) | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=27 May 2026}}</ref>
