The Doctor's new companion: Thoughts?

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.

Les, Sheffield on May 30th, 2009
all change is not always good but when things are left the same it can become stale, I personally look forward to fresh blood and also give thanks to mr tennant for an inspiring performance may the doctor travel forever

Paul K, Fulham, London on May 30th, 2009
The first thing i thought when i read the headline was shes only 21 regardless of experience [ freema was older when she joined by the way ]. Someone said they can't wait for it to start and wished it was 2010 now, and someone else said the opposite, me i wonder what the BBC will do if the public hate the pairing next April, i personally think the pairing of a 26 year old with a companion being only 21 is risky makes you wonder who Stephen Moffat is trying to please, lots of us don't even know Matt Smith so theres a problem there getting people to come back after David Tennent has left, i wish he would of stayed for 1 more series .

CE on May 30th, 2009
At least she doesnt has Rose's acne.

Andrew, Manchester on May 30th, 2009
I often wonder what people's reactions would have been if the ages of both actor's hadn't been released. Personally I feel they both have an ageless quality about their faces. Matt smith could certainly be placed anywhere between 23 and 35 and Karen between 16 and 26.

Michael Anderson on May 29th, 2009
I am not happy now with the choice of the companion role. The BBC have already given us what looks like is going to be the worst Doctor yet and the companion also does not look all that good. I don't know if I will be able to continue being a superfan after David leaves the series. The BBC seem to be pairing up unknown actors/actresses to the roles for this series!

Jay, London on May 29th, 2009
Great looking girl. Looks like she's got a bit of firery spirit in there. Red hair? Why not? So she's 21 and Matt's 26-27. So what?!! Stop making these stupid comparisons already. Just becuase you've got no point of reference yet on how they'll be. "oh it's gonna be this, I'm not gonna watch. Oh they're too young, it's for a younger audience." GROW UP!!! People are being positive, because they know, 9 times out of ten they won't be let down. They have a trust. But to say I'm not going to watch it out right is just closed minded b*ll*cks. How did any of those naysayers get through 'til now....

Lydia, London on May 29th, 2009
Personally, I am quite happy with this choice. I am pleased it will not be Hannah Murray, as I think I would have struggled to connect to her character after watching her in Skins. I think it is nice that they are giving another unknown actress a chance, and I am also pleased that they aren't using another person from London, which I think was getting a bit boring. I think the writers of Doctor Who are good enough that they will make these characters interesting and appealing, even to an older audience.

Adam, Northampton on May 29th, 2009
well done mr moffat wrong fotting the public again and not picking a star name. Great choice looks great and who cares uf they are two young actors as leeds in a major tv show its the writting that counts. Blink need I say more.

Rach on May 29th, 2009
I think she's so pretty, I really want to see an interview so I can hear her accent! I really hope they don't have any romance (one sided or otherwise) or UST though - that's one of the main reasons I loved Donna as a companion, because there was none of that.

Nick, Stoke on May 29th, 2009
Looking forward to the new series all the more now! I'm sure it will all work out brilliant as it usually does...

Jon on May 29th, 2009
i thought dr who was a joke when they did the love relationship between rose and the dr now its a completely different show.

Paul, Hyde, Cheshire on May 29th, 2009
Good luck to the girl. I wish her well.

Essy on May 29th, 2009
I have no idea who she is, but I'm seriously hoping she won't fall into the category of 'I'm in love with the Doctor' like Rose and Martha, and be more like Donna in terms of the whole no romance thing. Fingers crossed.

G, Essex on May 29th, 2009
Wow... Hot... Ill tune in just to see her to be honest!

Blacky, Afghanistan on May 29th, 2009
She seems like she could handle the part well, she did a fantastic job in The Kevin Bishop Show, so i'm sure she will be awesome! I may be biased because she is my cousin :)

Ian, London on May 29th, 2009
I do wonder about the intelligence of people posting on sites likes this and reading some of the ridiculous comments here hasn't changed my view on that. Here's a barnstorming idea. Why not - wait for this......WAIT UNTIL THE SERIES STARTS TO SEE WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE? Just a thought. Stephen Moffat is highly unlikely to get this wrong. He knows what he's doing, and I for one, cannot wait for the new series.

Mike, Hayling Island on May 29th, 2009
I love all these comments from people saying they are aiming the show at a young demographic. Hilarious! As if it could have gotten any younger! Over the last 5 years we've had childish aliens like the absorbaloff, a vampire who sucks people's brains out with a bendy straw and pikachu fat monsters. And what about the comic book story lines with chases and pratfalls galore? - even Rose was a teenage shop girl. Oh, and to top it all we've had a huge range of merchandise aimed at the under 10's. Just to remind you, Peter Davison was a similar age when he played the role,but he was part of one of the most morose eras of the show ever. We know nothing yet other than who is playing the lead roles and how old they are.

dave, the dark parts of my mind on May 29th, 2009
the new season looks to be all new give the lady a chance look at what people where say saying about Catherine Tate as she proved us all wrong

Alex, Essex on May 29th, 2009
Great person to pick for Matt Smith but I am not sure If I have hear about her before and doesn't she make you think of Rose too?

Bob Thompson on May 29th, 2009
She better not be from London, she should be able (if she has one) her scotish accent cos every knew companion in the past was from London and we need a change