The BBC has released details about the upcoming Doctor Who series following recent discussions about the show’s future.
Ncuti Gatwa, 32, will return as the Doctor for a second series of the rebooted show. He will be joined by new companion Belinda Chandra, portrayed by Varada Sethu, and Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson.
The broadcaster has now confirmed that the new series will premiere on April 12. It will be available from 8am on iPlayer and later that day on One in the UK. Simultaneously, fans in other countries can tune in on Disney+ where it is accessible.
The forthcoming season features Ncuti as the Fifteenth Doctor, having succeeded David Tennant, who played the Fourteenth Doctor, in 2023.
He will be accompanied by Varada and Millie in the upcoming episodes, along with guest stars such as Rose Ayling-Ellis, Anita Dobson, Christopher Chung, Michelle Greenidge, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruth Madeley, Jemma Redgrave, and Susan Twist, reports .
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The new series of Doctor Who will return to BBC One in April (Image: BBC Studios/Lara Cornell)
This week also saw the announcement that Alan Cumming will make a guest appearance in the second episode as Mr Ring-a-Ding. The character is described as a “happy, funny, singalong cartoon” who resides in Sunny Town with his friend Sunshine Sally.
However, it’s hinted that in 1952, after years of cinema reruns, Mr Ring-a-Ding suddenly becomes aware of the real world outside – and the consequences are terrifying.
Russell T Davies, the mastermind behind Doctor Who, couldn’t contain his excitement as he proclaimed: “Only Alan Cumming could give a runaway cartoon so much wit, malice, danger and fun. He makes the whole universe of Doctor Who wilder and madder than ever, and it’s an absolute honour to welcome him on board the TARDIS.”
This revelation follows intense speculation about the direction of Doctor Who and whispers that Ncuti might be on his way out.
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Ncuti Gatwa reprises his role as the Doctor in the new series of Doctor Who (Image: BBC Studios/Lara Cornell)
Despite Ncuti hinting at a return for a third series, The Sun recently claimed that he is “poised to quit,” with rumours swirling that his regeneration scene has already been shot before his second series hits the screens.
An insider confided to the publication: “Ncuti doesn’t want to be tied to the series beyond this and plans to relocate to Los Angeles with several projects standing by for him. His team also see a lot of fan backlash from the series, and don’t want the perception of him still being The Doctor to get in the way of any future work.”
Amidst concerns that Doctor Who might be put on hold due to signs of audience weariness, the stepped forward with a statement about the show’s continuity. Earlier this month, they shared with the Mirror a dismissal of any notion that the beloved series has been shelved.
The statement read: “This story is incorrect, Doctor Who has not been shelved. As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and exactly half of those still have to transmit. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines.”
Doctor Who will return to One on Saturday, April 12.