The cast of BBC's science fiction series Doctor Who changes pretty frequently. Back in 2014 it was announced that Peter Capaldi would be the twelfth actor to play the doctor for the eighth season, which we were pretty stoked about. After the most recent ninth season, we began to wonder who would fill Jenna Coleman's role as the doctor's companion Clara. Now we have our answer: Pearl Mackie will play the role of Bill, the doctor's newest sidekick, in Season 10.
The casting announcement was revealed in a short introductory clip that aired during halftime at the Everton v. Manchester United FA Cup semi-final on BBC-1. Although it's a short clip, it looks like the banter-filled chemistry between Bill and the Doctor is going to make for another great season of Doctor Who.
The new video starts out with the two sprinting down a hallway away from a firing Dalek, the deadliest breed of alien war machine ever created. Only a few seconds into the video we get the first taste of Bill's comical outspokenness: after asking what a Dalek is, the Doctor responds, "It's a Dalek." Then Bill fires back with, "Well that's not explaining, that's just saying a word!"
As the Doctor racks his brain for a way to escape the Dalek, Bill continues to talk into his ear, asking trivial questions about the Dalek rather than dwelling on the fact that their lives are very much in danger. "Why do they keep saying 'exterminate?'" she asks, impersonating a robotic voice. "Wouldn't it be quicker to just say 'kill?'"
Based on the clip, it seems like Bill's innocently jocular attitude will counter the Doctor's serious and slightly unfriendly demeanor in an engaging way. Although we have to wait until Spring 2017 for the tenth season of Doctor Who, the new clip assures us we have plenty of banter to look forward to.
