Former Emmerdale actress Jenna-Louise Coleman has been officially announced as Doctor Who’s new companion by showrunner Steven Moffat.
Moffat revealed: “It always seems impossible when you start casting these parts, but when we saw Matt and Jenna together, we knew we had our girl. She’s funny and clever and exactly mad enough to step on board the TARDIS.”
He continued: “It’s not often the Doctor meets someone who can talk even faster than he does, but it’s about to happen. Jenna is going to lead him his merriest dance yet. And that’s all you’re getting for now. Who she’s playing, how the Doctor meets her, and even where he finds her, are all part of one of the biggest mysteries the Time Lord ever encounters. Even by the Doctor’s standards, this isn’t your usual boy meets girl.”
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Coleman’s character will first be seen in this year’s Christmas special, following the departure of Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill as Amy and Rory.
Best known for her roles as Jasmine Thomas in Emmerdale and as Lindsay James in Waterloo Road, as well as a part in last summer’s Captain America: The First Avenger, Coleman will next be seen as Annie Desmond in ITV1’s Titanic mini-series, which begins this weekend.
She has also just completed filming on BBC Two’s Dancing On The Edge, written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff, starring alongside Merlin‘s Angel Coulby and Anthony Head.
Coleman commented: “I’m beyond excited, I can’t wait to get cracking; working alongside Matt [Smith] I know is going to be enormous fun and a huge adventure.”
BBC One Controller Danny Cohen added: “As we approach Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary it’s great to welcome a new companion to the TARDIS. I feel confident the Doctor will look after her in his own very unique style.”
What are your hopes for Jenna-Louise Coleman’s character? Let us know below…