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The Doctor's new companion: Thoughts?

Published Friday, May 29 2009, 13:28 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 64 comments
So, Matt Smith's right-hand woman has been unveiled. Everybody, please welcome Karen Gillan...



The relative newcomer previously had a part as a soothsayer in last year's 'The Fires Of Pompeii'. Aged 21, she and 26-year-old Matt will form one of the youngest Who pairings ever.

But what do you think this means for the show? Is the lineup TOO young? Are you pleased an unknown actress has landed the part? Add your comments to this entry below!
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Your Responses
Bryn Howard, Sunderland, on June 29th, 2009
I think shes the perfect actress for doctor who im a big doctor who fan.
Steve G, Stevenage, on June 26th, 2009
I spotted Karen tonight on the Kevin Bishop show, loved her, so after a quick Google there she was ! Then the icing on the cake is that Karen is the new Dr Who girl ............ superb !! Can't wait !!
jj, on June 13th, 2009
it frustrates me that people think the cast is too young. Rose Tylers age in the first series was 19 and there have been actresses younger than Karen as the doctors assistant. Matt smith looks like one of those people who is wise beyond his years. i think he will give the doctor a fresh twist. Can we not wait until the first episode is shown before we cast judgement on these people?
Lea Daniels, on June 8th, 2009
I think its great that the new characters will bring in new viewers, HOWEVER, even us oldies (30 plus) love watching Dr Who and I feel its too young for us now. Even though the characters are in their 20s, they seem to be aimed at teens now which spoils the whole idea of Dr Who, he was never so young and neither were his companions. Why fix something that isn't broken!
Neuro Guy, Devon, on June 6th, 2009
Gotta admit, she does look hot whilst not being overly penetrating... Makes a perfect companion... Plus, finally a young companion who doesn't rely on Tight Leather Jackets etc... Less London Council House, finally.
Peter, Crookham , on June 3rd, 2009
I think she is a good companion she looks sound
Sarah, Croydon, on June 2nd, 2009
Good choice as she will not overshadow the new Doctor. Had it been an actress who was known, the limelight would of been taken off Matt Smith. Can't wait for their first episode!
Lupus, Brisbane, Australia, on June 2nd, 2009
As long as they don't do the silly sex thing with her!
Jibber Jabber, London, on June 1st, 2009
I have always loved "unknowns" being cast in major roles. The celebrity factor is wiped out and it comes down to pure acting ability. Karen Gillan is gorgeous. Looking forward to the new series. My only worry is whether or not the writing gets the BBC politically correct treatment. Its ruined so much sci fi and drama these last few years. If I spot ludicrously out of place casting and totally unrealistic "inclusive" plotlines I'll be switching off. Overall though she is ok as a doctors assistant. Don't forget the first doctors assistant was a 15 yr old schoolgirl. Don't be old farts about it!
Parko, Dublin, on May 31st, 2009
A lot of what everyone says below is true yes Dave Tennant has in my book portrayed the definitive doctor -for a new generation of fans who have know no other. My own view is that the return of the doctor palyed by Eccleston in series 1 marked a new era for the doctor. The post time war Doctor seemed far more bitter and darker than the provious doctors and with good reason. It is the influence and "humanity" of his companions so far that have helped him come to terms with his past and his losses and evolve into the doctor as protrayed by tennant. So why not go with a younger Doctor and or Companion - The Doctor seems to be just starting to get to grips with his post time war self and is now enjoying life to the full. A younger fitter re-generation could be just what the doctor ordered. I look forward to Matt Smith and karen Gillans protrayal next year with an open mind. I think some of the better past episodes strayed from the dalek, cyberman format types, yes we all love the daleks but how many times can you credibly ressurect Davros, for me episodes like Blink, family of blood epitimise some fom the twists and fun you can have when you write about the life of a time and space traveller.
Andrew, Carlisle, on May 31st, 2009
she is really attractive and am sure she will be an excellent companion. i personally don't like the way that they announce who is replacing thedoctor and becoming the assistant. also, i don't like the way that they announce when the doctor will regenerate, if i were the one of the producers, i wouldn't announce anything, i would just do it! it throws some uncertainty into the mix, giving the series more excitement when the regeneration happens! "wow, i wasn't expecting that!" or "COOL!"
Scotty, New York, on May 31st, 2009
In the words of Mike Myers... "If it's not Scottish, it's CRAP!" Good casting job.
John, Manchester, on May 31st, 2009
@ Marty Cia Sorry If I've misinterpreted your post but it seems like you're using Planet of the Dead & The Waters of Mars as sticks to beat Moffatt with... Moffatt didn't write either of them, nor is he show-running yet. He doesn't take over until the next full season. Planet of the Dead was co-written by RTD & Gareth Roberts and Waters of Mars was RTD & Phil Ford. Regards, J
NS, London, on May 31st, 2009
To behonest she looks ok the doctor looks ok i dont know what to excpect frmo this series because of the change writer doctor ect. but yer im open forchange im stil watchin the first few episodes to seehw it goess i realy want it to go well becos im soused to the past 4 seasons of the same format but you know what season 5 shud dowell fingers crosed and lets hopeee THE SHOWS IN GOOD HANDS o nd i hpe we get a season 4 of sja !
Mark, USA, on May 30th, 2009
Loved her as one of the sisterhood. And she is a cutie. Would love to see DS do an interview on her. Should make a greayt companion. As long as she not played to kid-ish. and she doesn't fall in love with the Doc (Like Rose did). Moffett needs to get away from that part of it.
Marty Cia, on May 30th, 2009
Very sad David is moving on as I personally believe is is the best Doctor we have had to date. I am very dubious regarding Matt and really look forward to being proved wrong but can't imagine it somehow. Karen I wish all the best as she can't do worse than Michelle Ryan which to be honest made me personally cringe. The story with the London bus I found far to clinical and not up to par with Davies and the preview of the new episode looked again too clinical and more like gardeners world being threatened by water...Blink seems more of a storyline and really that bored me to tears. Moffat really needs to either a. backtrack and relook at past Doctor Who episodes for energetic and adrenalin pumping ideas or b. quit while your ahead as your choices so far are seriously in question by a large portion of the public. Prove us wrong please!!
Emi, Birmingham, on May 30th, 2009
oh my gosh she's so pretty and she has a really cool dress sense. i'm ok with her being an unknown - it adds more anticipation for next year. as to her being young, i don't mind. if moffat liked her then that's good enough for me. he's the lead writer, he should know what kind of person suits a character he's created. to those who don't like a young, unknown pair leading the next series, i have this to say - 'give them a chance' they could be much better then previous pairings. i do agree with another comment though. i hope they don't make her fall in love with the doctor. i just get annoyed at those story lines. that's why i didn't like martha. every 5 minutes she was looking at the back of the doctors head complaining why he doesn't love her. donna was such a breath of fresh air. keep them friends - they have a lot more fun that way. i'm really sad the LEGEND that is david tennant is leaving but i'm so excited for his final episode and now we know who the next doctor and companion is, i can't wait for next year! good luck matt and karen!
Catherine, Woking, on May 30th, 2009
I think she will be brilliant as the new assistant, she is a relatively unknown actor and there will be a lot of pressure on her; and indeed Matt Smith to be brilliant and live up to their predcessors. But I think they will both be brilliant and I can't wait to see them in action!!
Rob, Harpenden, on May 30th, 2009
Just remember... a lot of people said Billie Piper couldn't act. Then she stunned us all!
Donna, Coventry, on May 30th, 2009
To be honest, i'm becoming increasing disappointed with the onset of the next series. We've had four brilliant years of Davies rein- there is not another person on this planet that can write like he does, he's planning is impeccable and i will sorely miss his well scripted tales. As much as i have enjoyed Moffat's inventions i don't believe he can keep the story going throughout a 13 part series. The sheer fact that he picked a nipper to play the protagonist role baffles me, a time lord said to be over 900 years old looking like a 20 year old is ludicrus, i get the feeling that psychic paper will be used a lot as no one will surely take him seriously! And to Matt Smith- a man who claims to have never watched Doctor Who scares me, a man that wants to play his Doctor as an 'alien' and not a human fancier goes against everything that Doctor Who has ever stood for- fascinated by humans, amazed by them, in love with the whole frickin' planet! I've never seen Gillain act- with the exception of pompeii so can't really have much of a comment but do we not think Moffat is trying to recreate Rose here, with the look of Donna? Ok so she is said to not be lovely with the new incarnation but we just had a series with a mate companion- break it up a bit. I say they are far too young, the doctor needed to be older this time and so did his companions. A nice male, female combo would have been nice and the doctor too. Go back to the old school a little. I would have much preferred to see a male companion rather than another woman. I have nothing against the actors and i'm certainly not ageist (being 21 myself) but i think this will be my switching off time- the sarah jane adventures will look more grown up than this!! Looks like it's Torchwood here i come if i want my alien intrique featuring an adult or two.

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