Following over a decade of London-based companions, it looks like Doctor Who newcomer Pearl Mackie’s character Bill will break the trend.
Modern Doctor Who companions Rose Tyler, Mickey Smith, Martha Jones, Donna Noble and Clara Oswald all lived in the London area (although Clara originally hailed from Blackpool).
Even Amy Pond and Rory Williams, who were first seen in the fictional Leadworth village, appeared to have ended up living in London by 2011’s ‘The God Complex’.
However, new photos of location filming for the new season of Doctor Who suggest that Bill will be studying in Bristol when we meet her next year.
Cardiff University has been transformed into the rather snowy “St. Luke’s University, Bristol”.
Looks like Bill comes from Bristol… #DWSR pic.twitter.com/Ig9tnRbtfr
— Ⓙⓐⓒⓞⓑ (@Jacob_1191) June 23, 2016
Have you seen the ❄️ outside Main Building? No need to wrap up warm though. It’s only @bbcdoctorwho filming. #dwsr pic.twitter.com/CX7TiT1F8P
— Cardiff Uni Comms (@Cardiffuninews) June 23, 2016
Today was Pearl Mackie’s first day of location filming.
Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat recently revealed that Bill is definitely from the present day.
He told DWM: “She’s from now, yeah. I know there are rumours about her being from the 1980s, but she isn’t. She’s just wearing what young people are wearing now. I know that, because Pearl chose her outfit herself.”
Moffat also hinted: “How we first encounter her, and how we first encounter the Doctor next year, is very unusual for us.”
The new season of Doctor Who will air on BBC One in spring 2017, with Matt Lucas returning as Nardole.
> Here’s everything we know so far about Season 10.
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