Daily Mail - Daily Mail Weekend Magazine
WHO’S that girl?
What will happen when Doctor Who returns, with a woman now in charge of the sonic screwdriver? We find out what’s in store for her explosive debut
What on earth is going on in Sheffield? It’s night-time and strange things are happening. Young police officer Yasmin Khan is investigating a large, multi-coloured vase-like object in a wood. It’s freezing cold and sparkles.
Nearby a train grinds to a halt, throwing passengers to the floor, before power is lost and the doors lock by themselves.
Bizarre events have been happening in the city for some time – lights in the sky, strange noises, inanimate objects suddenly coming to life. But the weirdest happening of all is about to take place.
Falling from the sky is a mysterious woman who has no idea who she is or where she’s come from. When she lands, she meets Graham O’Brien ( Bradley Walsh), Ryan Sinclair and Yasmin, who don’t believe their eyes.
‘We’re a little on the cynical side, the general feeling is that aliens don’t tend to land in Sheffield,’ laughs Bradley Walsh, ‘which is why Graham, Ryan and Yasmin struggle a bit with what they see.
‘And, for that matter, what they are hearing. Their new friend is sweetness and light, full of smiles but how much of what she is saying is to be believed? For now, they take everything about this female who fell to Earth with a pinch of salt and are rather suspicious of her.’
The woman in question is the new Doctor. Seen briefly in the Christmas episode at the end of last year, when Peter Capaldi’s 12th doctor regenerated, she’s the first female incarnation of the character since the show began in 1963.
Jodie Whittaker’s already well-established relationship with the new boss of Doctor Who, Chris Chibnall – she was grieving mum Beth Latimer in Chris’s award-winning ITV whodunnit Broad- church – helped her land the role and she regards it as a career highlight.
‘It’s the dream part,’ enthuses Jodie, who has been a devoted fan of the timetravelling adventure since its relaunch in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston as the Time Lord. ‘I’m following in the footsteps of amazing actors and I intend to enjoy every single second of it.’
That’s pretty much what her character does too. Even landing slightly dazed and confused in Sheffield doesn’t appear to have dampened her lust for life.
‘She embraces her fresh start and looks upon Graham, Ryan and Yasmin as people she can trust,’ says Jodie. ‘She says, “If I ask you really, really nicely, would you be my new best friends?” and they are way too nice to refuse. So the Doctor acquires new companions and embarks on a series of new adventures!’
Chris Chibnall says, ‘This is very
Smuch about starting anew, after 55 years – new Doctor, new companions, new showrunner, and even new monsters and planets!
‘It’s not a reboot, it’s a new beginning, an opportunity for people who have drifted away or not seen the show for a few years to re-engage.’
BBC drama controller Piers Wenger says, ‘Gone is the daffiness and idiosyncrasy of her predecessors in favour of energy, spark and relatability.’ However, the ten-part series will still be familiar to fans – the Doctor still has the Tardis, a sonic screwdriver – plus a wonderful collection of new enemies.
Chris adds, ‘The Thirteenth Doctor is lively, warm, funny, inclusive – she’s the greatest friend you could have as your guide around the universe.’
Doctor Who, tomorrow, 6.45pm, BBC1.