DOCTOR WHO: VARADA SETHU SET TO JOIN TARDIS AS NEW COMPANION ALONGSIDE NCUTI GATWA
The Mirror newspaper have revealed that Doctor Who has cast a new companion for Season 2, set to air in 2025, and that Millie Gibson is set to have a 'reduced' role in the series as a result.
The publication, which broke the story on Friday night, suggests that Gibson will only appear in 3 of the 8 episodes in Season 2 in 2025, but will not appear in this year's Christmas special.
Varada Sethu has reportedly been cast as the new companion, making her debut in Season 2 next year. The Mirror reports that Sethu has already starting filming scenes in Cardiff. Sethu is best known for appearing in shows such as Hard Sun, Annika, Jurassic World and Doctor Foster.
A source told the publication: "Varada is a real gem, Russell was just blown away by her talent. The cast and crew have really warmed to her and he’s sure the fans will too."
TV Zone approached the BBC for comment on Gibson's reduced role, departure from the series and Varada's casting. The BBC declined to comment on all counts.
Before Varada makes her debut, Millie Gibson will accompany Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor in the TARDIS for their first series this May on BBC One and Disney+. The pair's first adventure aired last Christmas in The Church On Ruby Road.
Season 1 will see returning cast members including Jemma Redgrave and Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, Ruth Madeley as Shirley Ann Bingham, Yasmin Finney as Rose Noble and Bonnie Langford as Mel Bush.
Michelle Greenidge and Angela Winter will also reprise their roles as Sunday's adopted mother and grandmother respectively. New cast members in the upcoming series include Jinkx Monsoon, Indira Varma, Jonathan Groff, Aneurin Barnard, Lenny Rush and Jack Forsyth-Noble.
Doctor Who is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ in the rest of the world.