Unveiling Doctor Who's Fresh Lineup: Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu Discuss Their Roles
In the upcoming Doctor Who series, set to return on Saturday, April 12, the Doctor embarks on a journey of connection and self-discovery. This season introduces a new companion, Belinda Chandra, played by Varada Sethu.
Belinda's arc revisits classic companion themes, echoing past modern companions like Mickey Smith and Bill Potts. As an unwilling traveller, she initially desires to return to Earth rather than embrace time travel adventures. Her story also involves complex family dynamics, notably around motherhood, reflecting characters such as Martha Jones and Amy Pond.
The TARDIS team faces larger cosmic dangers and mysterious forces in Series 15, continuing the modern trend of combining personal companion stories with epic, universe-spanning narratives. Belinda's character is also involved beyond the TV show, leading the new "The Prison Paradox" Doctor Who comic series. This mirrors the modern era approach of extending companion stories into multi-media outlets.
The Doctor, who has lost both Ruby (last year's season) and Joy (2024 Christmas Special), finds his interpersonal relationships skewed. However, the dynamic between the Doctor and Belinda is different. They are equals, sharing similar selfless and protective values. Belinda teaches the Doctor about responsibility in a way he hasn't thought about before.
Ncuti Gatwa, who plays the Doctor, described Belinda as understanding the responsibility and loss that enables her not to be charmed by the Doctor. Belinda's core value comes from a place of love, just like the Doctor's, but it takes a little bit of time for them to align.
As Belinda challenges the Doctor's life, she wants nothing more than to get back home, away from all these adventures in time and space. Varada Sethu, who portrays Belinda, is also set to return for the sophomore final season of the Star Wars series Andor this month, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Doctor Who has survived for over 60 years, spanning both its classic and revived eras, and offers a wide range of genres within the sci-fi space, including comedy, horror, thrillers, and various plots. The vibe of the show has shifted with its new dynamic, promising an exciting new chapter in the Doctor's journey.
In the future, Belinda Chandra's character may be explored further in the comic series "The Prison Paradox," extending her story beyond the "Doctor Who" television show, much like the modern approach in the series. Gizmodo and IO9, popular technology and entertainment websites, might cover the arc of Belinda Chandra, an unwilling traveler in the upcoming season of "Doctor Who," considering her involvement in both the TV show and the comic series. As Belinda navigates her complex family dynamics and time travel adventures, she might find solace in watching movies-and-tv, such as ones available on streaming platforms, to distract herself from the world of time and space.
