Pearl Mackie announced as new Doctor Who companion

The 41st guest in the Tardis, who has previously appeared in daytime soap Doctors, says she is ‘incredibly excited’ to be joining the show

The actor Pearl Mackie has been revealed as the new companion for Doctor Who. The announcement was made in a specially shot clip broadcast during half-time at the FA Cup semi-final between Everton and Manchester United, shown on BBC1 on Saturday. In the sequence, Capaldi and Mackie are shown exchanging barbs while hiding from a Dalek.


Mackie will be the Doctor’s 41st companion, and the ninth since the show was rebooted in 2005 – give or take (fans are divided on the official status of several characters who travelled only briefly with the Doctor). Mackie, who will play a character called Bill, takes over from Jenna Coleman to star alongside the current Doctor, Peter Capaldi. She will make her debut at the beginning of the show’s next season in 2017.

On joining the cast in her first major television role, Mackie said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Doctor Who family. It’s such an extraordinary British institution – I couldn’t be prouder to call the Tardis my home. I can’t wait to see what adventures are in store for him and Bill throughout time and space.


“Reading the script at the audition, I thought Bill was wicked. Fantastically written, cool, strong, sharp, a little bit vulnerable, with a bit of geekiness thrown in.” The actor described shooting the trailer as “absolutely mental”.


“There were pyrotechnics and smoke and I met my first Dalek. I’m not sure it will ever become ‘the norm’ seeing crazy monsters on set, but I cannot wait to meet some more. The weirder the better – bring it on!”

Capaldi said it was “a genuine delight” to welcome 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.”

Steven Moffat, outgoing lead writer and executive producer, said: “A new face in the Tardis, a new voyage about to begin: welcome aboard, the amazing Pearl Mackie! This is where the story really starts.”

Mackie trained as an actor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2010. Since drama school, she has worked across theatre, film, radio and television. Her acting credits include Svengali, a British film released in 2013, and she is currently appearing in the stage production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Gielgud Theatre in London.

Among other actors who had been thought to be in the running for the role were Coronation Street’s Michelle Keegan, Rakhee Thakrar, who impressed many with her performance as Shabnam Masood in EastEnders, and Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark in Game of Thrones and guest-starred in the last season of the sci-fi show.

In January, Steven Moffat revealed that he was stepping down as the lead writerand executive producer of Doctor Who. He will be replaced by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, who will start work as executive producer in 2018. Series 10 is to be Moffat’s last.