The world of Doctor Who seems to have gone quiet over the last couple of weeks, with the hoo-ha over the casting of Matt Smith as Doctor 11 having settled down to a slow simmer.
Of course, there have been regular updates via the press and the assorted Doctor Who fansites on news of the special episodes that will see David Tennant say goodbye to the role that has turned him into a superstar. Spare a thought for an actor who has clearly given his all to the series and the viewers and how gut-wrenchingly hard it must be to walk away from the best part on television.
We’ve had news of Michelle Ryan and Lindsay Duncan coming along for a final fling in the TARDIS, of mangled buses and Dubai controversy, and somewhere a TARDIS might be redesigned. But that’s all window dressing really…
There’s something quite comforting knowing that the Doctor Who machine is still ticking over out there, one team steadfastly bringing an era to a close, while another prepares to usher in the next chapter. It helps me sleep sounder at night knowing that David Tennant is out there, working just as hard as he ever has for the show to make his final days really special for all concerned, doing the boss, Russell T Davies, proud.
And then we have Matt Smith, who I hope is sitting at home, doing his research and watching The Claws of Axos. Or sitting around Steven Moffatt’s kitchen table, reading scripts, riffing and jamming the beats that will make this Doctor tick.
It’s an exciting time to be a Doctor Who fan, with that bubble of expectation and excitement tantalisingly just out of reach.
And in the midst of all this, probably as I type this, a group of young actresses might be making their way to a nondescript hotel somewhere in London to read for the part of Doctor Who’s new companion - the second most coveted role on British television.
And on who on earth could it be?
Still topping my list is the rather marvellous Olivia Hallinan of Sugar Rush and Lark Rise to Candleford. She is a brilliantly inventive actress who always adds something to every scene she’s in, whether speaking or not. The fact she’s a redhead might count against her in the casting stakes after Catherine Tate’s flame-haired stint in the TARDIS, but I’ll look the other way if you do.
Also from Lark Rise, Ruby Bentall (Minnie), has a certain charm that could be quite endearing and she has a knack for physical comedy that would work well in Doctor Who.
Elsewhere, thoughts keep coming back to Sheridan Smith who must surely be on the shortlist as perfect companion material. Feisty, funny and be able to get stuck in to scrapping with a Dalek. She already does companion duties as Lucie Miller for the audio adventures starring Paul McGann, so she’s halfway there…
But in Matt Smith we have the youngest Doctor ever, so there’s a notion that the companion should perhaps be an older woman away from the traditional youthful casting choices. And with The Sarah Jane Adventures, it shows that age is no barrier to being accepted by a young audience. The more I think about it, the more I like it.
With Catherine Tate, we had a companion who was “older” than the Doctor for the first time in the show’s history, so I’d be happy to see a return for Tate. I can just hear Donna saying the line: “It’s past your bedtime, space boy!”
But what about Green Wing’s Pippa Haywood? The brilliant Janet McTeer, or Harriet Walter (but Law and Order would probably be an obstacle to that). Recent names who have popped up in Doctor Who are Lindsey Coulson, Sarah Lancashire and Lesley Sharp, all who would be absolutely brilliant.
Ashley Jensen will turn 40 this year (according to her IMDB entry at least!) and former Steven Moffatt collaborator Julia Sawalha would also be brilliant.
So there are lots of names from a diverse range of ages that could make the hunt for the new companion a much wider search than ever before.
And before I go, I’ll just throw the fabulous Olivia Colman’s name into the hat. Now that would be fantastic!
I'm going to miss that comfort of knowing David's out there doing his thing and the Russell/Phil/Julie triumverate are all working away. When I heard Julie was off to LA I thought, there really is no going back. No more wet Wales, they're outta there!
I'm just going to miss all of it really, well, almost all, lol.
I couldn't take another year of Catherine Tate, so, please no. Not her personally, but Donna just "did my head in" as she might say.
Olivia Coleman I do like the sound of. Love her as the batty mum in Beautiful People. Think Sheridan Smith is a shoe-in too, what with Love Soup, then Jonathan Creek in that fiesty 'companion' type role. It felt like a road test of her in that kind of role on tv, for me.
I would have thought Moffatt would be waiting to seize Michelle Ryan for the companion, following her turn in his Jekyll show. Her appearance coming up might rule that out. However, actors can play different characters in the series, so maybe she could reappear as someone else. I'd rather she didn't, I don't think she matches up with Matt Smith.
Ultimately, I just want it to be someone who I can like, empathise with and relate to. I'm already not too enthused by any Tardis redesign, and Stephen's comments about no Daleks and no old monsters rub me up the wrong way. I'm scared I'll end up not liking the show under his tenure, and one of the most important factors is the companion. I so want to like her!
Can I just say that I agreed wholeheartedly with everything Emmy has written - in fact I need not add more. As a lifelong fan of the show I have butterflies wondering if it will still remain as strong under the new team - and I will miss David terribly as the Doctor as he has surpassed what anyone could have possibly imagined - but am looking forward to Matt's take on the role when he eventually make the screen. As the days tick by on the final D10 episodes I feel for David, as he ends one chapter of his career and goes on to much much more. (Although - I suspect he will live and breathe Doctor Who for the rest of his days - and that is something I am eternally grateful for.)
Bit bland choices I feel. Also, I will never watch anything with that awful Sheridan Smith in!
With Matt Smith being so young, I think at this stage they'll go for a younger companion that will make him seen a bit older in comparison.
When (& if) he settles into the part, in later years an older companion would be an good twist - someone who looks young but is very old paired with someone who looks older - would throw up some interesting situations.
I love Sheridan as Lucie! Superb. Can't wait for the next series.
I'll also have Julia Sawalha, Olivia Colman and Lesley Sharp. Any time and in any thing, actually. Lesley Manville would play it very well, I think.
But I'd also like to place a big vote for Jemima Rooper, who I understand will be a one-off radio assistant soon. Huzzah!
What I want to know is when they'e going to have another assistant from, say, the early twentieth century! I'm getting bored with girls from current day London. How's about a nice 1930s Scotswoman?
I cannot claim to be a huge fan of Larkrise to Candleford, but I am glued to the televsion screen every time Olivia Hallinan appears. Her ability to make almost any line or look meaningful is remarkable. As for Sugar Rush, she was the heart and soul of the show with her charismatic and sensitive portrayal of an adolescent teenager. Doctor Who fans root for Olivia!! Similar in age to Matt smith and simply stunning to boot!
OLIVIA HALLINAN,YES PLEASE! Would be GENIUS casting.Jemima Rooper would be marvellous too, but theres something about the redhead, she gets my vote all the way.
Great news that there is to be a third series of Lark Rise! :)
As far as casting an actress to play alongside Matt Smith as the new companion of The Doctor, my top choice is Rachel Shenton, who has done small guest appearances in 'Waterloo Road', 'Holby City' and 'Doctors', but who has yet to land a leading role in a TV show. Should she not be considered, I have three other possible candidates: Amy Kwolek, Lauren Drummond and Rachael Henley(the older sister of Georgie Henley from 'The Chronicles Of Narnia' movie franchise).
I would like to see Rachel Shenton('Waterloo Road', 'Holby City') get the part of the new companion. Failing that, my other choices would be Amy Kwolek, Lauren Drummond and Rachael Henley.
Olivia Hallinan is captivating! Hauntingly beautiful...Whenever the camera pans upon her everything goes into slow motion...It peers into her soul...And what looks back captivates us...Olivia has the seeds of greatness...