Doctor Who New Companion Announcement: Pearl Mackie

BBC News has reported that the new companion on Doctor Who is Pearl Mackie.

This announcement came out on BBC One during the halftime of the FA Cup semi-final match between Everton and Manchester United.

Replacing Jenna Coleman, who left the series in 2015, Mackie is set to join The Doctor in the new series starting in 2017 along with Peter Capaldi returning as The Doctor. Filming for this series will begin later this year.

Mackie graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2010, played Anne-Marie Frasier in Doctors in 2014, and is currently performing in the National Theatre’s West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Doctor Who family,” she said. “It’s such an extraordinary British institution, I couldn’t be prouder to call the TARDIS my home.”

She added, “Peter Capaldi is such a brilliant actor, and his Doctor is such a wacky and wonderful character, I can’t wait to see what adventures are in store for him and Bill throughout time and space.”

Mackie went on to say that her new character “Bill” was “wicked”, describing her as “cool, strong, sharp, a little bit vulnerable with a bit of geekiness thrown in.”

Capaldi added, “It is a genuine delight to welcome Pearl Mackie to Doctor Who. A fine, fine actress with a wonderful zest and charm, she’s a refreshing addition to the TARDIS and will bring a universe of exciting new possibilities to The Doctor’s adventures.”

While I’m certainly sad that we will not get to see this new companion until next year, I’m really excited for this change in cast. I think she’s going to be a wonderful edition to the new Doctor Who series. What do you think?