Ncuti Gatwa has explained the dynamic between his character and Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra inDoctor Whoseason 15, and I’m really excited to see how their relationship develops.The way the Doctor interacts with a companion has largely been the samethroughout the show’s storied history, but Fifteen’s upcoming sidekick is set to feel very differently about the ancient Time Lord compared to her predecessors. AlthoughDoctor Who’s classic eratoyed 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 ofDoctor Who’s Disney era. After Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday left to connect with her birth mother at theend ofDoctor Whoseason 14, Fifteen spent Christmas with stand-in companions in 2024’s “Joy to the World.” AlthoughDoctor Whoseason 15 will mark Belinda’s debut, she is actually set to be thesecondDoctor Whocharacter 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 Companionreports that Ncuti Gatwa has confirmed Belinda Chandra “has no desire to be in the TARDIS” with the Doctor. She just wants to get home after being stranded. This is pretty much a new thing forDoctor 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 inDoctor Whoseason 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 passengers. 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 Whohas 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.
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I can’t imagine that Fifteen will be too thrilled by Belinda’s apathy toward him. Although theDoctor Whoseason 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 dramaticfor the situation in an attempt to win Belinda’s trust, and possibly her affection.Doctor Whohas provided evidence that similar instances can backfire drastically.
Doctor Who
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An alien from the planet Gallifrey travels through time and space to explore, solve problems and fight injustice while also making friends with human beings. His spaceship, called TARDIS, resembles a police box, but it is much more than it appears to be.
Doctor Who: Released on July 01, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
