Doctor Who Season 15's New Companion Does Something I Never Thought The Modern Show Would

Published Mar 26, 2025

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Ncuti Gatwa has explained the dynamic between his character and Varada Sethu's Belinda Chandra in Doctor Who's classic era toyed with alternative Doctor/companion dynamics, it has been a long time since the show has done so.

There have been several main companions since the show's revival in 2005, but Belinda is just the second of second Doctor Who character played by Sethu. However, it's not this dual-casting that I find the most compelling about the actress' return.

I Love The Thought Of The Doctor Having An Unwilling Companion In Doctor Who Season 15

Belinda just wants to get home and hates being in the TARDIS

Doctor Who's modern era, and I think it's just what the show needs. This is especially true after how visibly upbeat and enthralled Ruby was during her travels with Fifteen in Doctor Who season 14. The Doctor is very used to charisma working just fine when it comes to winning over companions, but that doesn't seem to be enough for Belinda.

The idea of seeing Belinda opposing Fifteen whenever she can in order to get home really has my attention.

Doctor Who's post-revival era has had companions who have flirted with being unwilling TARDIS engers. For instance, Mickey Smith (Noel Clarke) disliked the Doctor for taking Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) away, but he was never forced into coming with them. Similarly, Catherine Tate's debut as Donna Noble in 2006's "The Runaway Bride" meant she wasn't initially thrilled to find herself aboard the TARDIS, but she eventually grew very close with Ten (David Tennant). The idea of seeing Belinda opposing Fifteen whenever she can in order to get home really has my attention.

Traveling With Belinda Sounds More Dangerous Than The Doctor Traveling Alone

The Doctor doesn't do well without a true friend by his side

Doctor Who has proven on several occasions that the show's main character needs a companion, or the Time Lord loses a grip on who they are. For example, David Tennant's "Time Lord Victorious" speech in "The Waters of Mars" was the direct result of the Tenth Doctor being alone for too long. He had started to take bigger and bigger swings because there was no one there to reign him in from the damage he was causing. In short, the Doctor can become reckless and/or cold-hearted without an adoring - or at least willing - companion.

Custom Doctor Who image of Varada Sethu as Mundy Flynn and Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor

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I can't imagine that Fifteen will be too thrilled by Belinda's apathy toward him. Although the Doctor Who season 15 trailer reveals the pair will have a few emotional moments, they appear to stem from Belinda's anger and concern that she can't get home to where she feels safe. So, Fifteen could end up overcompensating and attempting heroic actions that are far too dramatic for the situation in an attempt to win Belinda's trust, and possibly her affection. Doctor Who has provided evidence that similar instances can backfire drastically.

Source: Doctor Who Companion