Doctor Who has officially confirmed Varada Sethu as Ncuti Gatwa‘s new companion for his second instalment as the Time Lord.
In first look photos for series 15, the actress and the lead actor, both 31, smiled alongside Millie Gibson, 19, who currently stars as Ruby Sunday.
It was previously reported Varada would be replacing Millie as Ncuti’s companion, although details about her character are still under wraps.
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies told BBC: ‘Right now in the studio, shooting for 2025, we’ve got Ncuti, Millie and Varada fighting side by side – we need all three, because the stakes are higher than ever!’
Millie starred as the 15th Doctor’s companion Ruby and was first seen on screen for the 2023 Christmas special returning for an eight episode run in May.
Doctor Who has officially confirmed Varada Sethu (R) as Ncuti Gatwa’s new companion for his second instalment as the Time Lord
However, it has then been suggested Millie’s character Ruby will be replaced by Varada for Ncuti’s second series.
It has been claimed that the former Coronation Street actress will be finishing up on the show in the coming weeks to ‘tie up loose ends’ and will not appear in the 2024 Christmas special.
Varda started filming at the show’s Cardiff studios in January where she was seen on set with Ncuti.
On the set, Penarth Pier was transported back to the 1950s with American cars, including a 1954 Cadillac sat outside the Palazzo theatre.
She is best known for playing DS Mishal Ali in the BBC apocalyptic TV series Hard Sun, but that was far from her first role.
The actress made her debut in a short film named Impressions in 2010 before starring in 2011’s Sket.
She had a small role in Doctor’s in 2015 as PC Kylie Green and featured in two episodes of Doctor Foster.
In 2016 Varda starred in the film lm adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
In first look photos for series 15, the actress and the lead actor, both 31, smiled alongside Millie Gibson (R), 19, who currently stars as Ruby Sunday
It was previously reported that Varada would be replacing Millie as Ncuti’s companion, although details about her character are still under wraps
That same year she played the assistant to Michael Caine’s character in Now You See Me 2.
In 2019, she starred as Lance Corporal Manisha Chetri in Strike Back: Revolution and its sequel series Strike Back: Vendetta.
She went on to feature in Netflix original film I Came By in 2022 and Jurassic World Dominion as Shira.
Millie could be seen doing a 360 turn after Doctor Who showrunner hinted the actress is returning to Coronation Street.
It has been rumoured that she could be returning to her Corrie role as Kelly Neelan, a part she played from 2019 to 2022.
Sitting alongside Millie and the episode’s producer Chris May, during a commentary of the Christmas Day 2023 episode, Russell joked about Millie’s name being broadcast across the screen in big letters.
He suggested that was what was missing from her time in Coronation Street.
‘Should’ve had that cat and the cobbles and Millie Gibson,’ he said, before assuring her that he’d have a word with the team over at the ITV soap.
Millie has so far remained silent on reports she has left the show.
Doctor Who is famous for its dramatic regenerations, when a new actor takes on the title role every few years – but the hit BBC show also has the power to transform careers.
Millie starred as the 15th Doctor’s companion Ruby and was first seen on screen for the 2023 Christmas special returning for an eight episode run in May
However, it has then been suggested Millie’s character Ruby will be replaced by Varada for Ncuti’s second series (pictured in February 2023)
It has been rumoured that Millie could be returning to her Corrie role as Kelly Neelan, a part she played from 2019 to 2022 (Millie pictured on the soap in 2022)
Having already displayed her acting skills on a gritty soap, Brand and culture expert Nick Ede predicted that Millie’s appearance on Doctor Who will make her ‘one to watch in 2024.’
He told The Sun: ‘Millie tackled some really heavy storylines in Corrie, which will show Hollywood producers she’s adept at lots of roles and is a very believable actress.
‘Paired with her good looks and terrific personality, I can see her being cast in a blockbuster quicker than you can say Tardis.’
Previously, Jenna Coleman went from Emmerdale to become one of Britain’s most sought-after stars after playing Matt Smith’s companion Clara.
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