Millie Gibson leaving Doctor Who (plus new companion revealed)

[@CouncilofGeeks]

A playlist of videos covering the issues with the BBC and transphobic reporting: kzbin.info/aero/PLmWFOeT2jEofVIDW9X3OL7GqWuX3Dxopu

[@stephaniepage4334]

This is awesome

[@jakeoliver9167]

"Russel t Davies companion lasts one season, 2 Christmas specials, and 3 extra episodes in season 2" is for some reason... news? Fake outrage. Fake drama. Them acting like she must've been dropped. There must've been an argument. Based on nothing.

[@elphive42]

I know, right? This is just the same way how companions were during RTD’s previous tenure. I don’t know why everyone is making such a big deal out of it.

[@stevetayler9518]

Exactly. Thank you. This is exactly the kind of fake tabloid BS that contributed to the Eccleston rift.

[@Silverwind87]

@@elphive42 Because Doctor Who critics are never happy with the new showrunner.

[@davidblyth6886]

​​@@Silverwind87and likewise, some naive fans always think theres a perfect production on this show, eccleston will happen again, and has

[@DigiRangerScott]

She's apparently not in 2024 Christmas

[@Tejiknasten]

I'm quite happy when a companion is there for a shorter term. I mean; Donna, Martha and Bill are my favourites. She's probably got a new work, a role she couldn't resist but can't talk about yet. This far, Ruby has been a nice companion and I'm looking forward to the next episodes with her. I do hope the next companion will be a girl from another time, though; perhaps a 1700's person? Like a sister of Isac "Mavity" Newton or something like that. Thanks for a great youtube channel 🫶

[@kirameki]

I'd love a time traveling historical companion too. Those are usually my favorite episodes and itcould be a lot kf fun seeing a historical character interacting with the modern day and aliens and would give a different vibe.

[@MrFearDubh]

Having the new companion be from another time is an interesting idea and something Doctor Who hasn't done in a while.

[@matt0044]

A follow up on Mavity would be a fun stealth plot point. XD

[@JB-ys8ct]

I agree, a companion from a different time would be a cool idea. I don't think we've even had a companion from another time period since Classic Who. I know there's companions like Jack who come from the future but we haven't had a main companion from another time in NuWho. It's always been present day. They came close to it with Victorian Clara but the BBC were against it so Moffat had to use modern Clara instead

[@tennenyt5311]

Yeah, I loved Clara tbh but her presence did drag. Moffat could not let that character go lol

[@tainkirrahe]

Honestly I think the simplest explanation is that Ruby’s character was designed to be “wrapped up” in one season - it could just be she’s leaving/only semi-cropping up in future because that’s what she was written to do. All the speculation is frustrating and more damaging than the knowledge that she’s leaving, and somewhat poisons the well for the incoming actress (as happened with Rose and Martha…the LiveJournal Doctor Who days were rough lol).

[@elqi8129]

RTD has NEVER written a series finale that didn't involve either a companion or the Doctor leaving the show. Its completely ridiculous that people are pretending to be surprised or upset

[@Elwaves2925]

Being surprised is one thing but it's not ridiculous for folks to be upset. It's ridiculous of you to say that and that they're 'pretending'. You'd hope RTD had learnt in his time away from the show that you don't need to make major cast change each season. Moffat and even Chibnall proved that. It seems he hasn't changed as much as some folks hoped.

[@GLBizzie]

@@Elwaves2925Chibnall just proofed that he is a fool! Not a good comparison

[@logansmith2703]

Being surprised and upset isn't ridiculous. Insinuating that everyone who is are pretending however is ridiculous. Obviously people shouldn't be freaking out but if you happen to be attached to Millie already OF COURSE you'll be surprised or upset.

[@Elwaves2925]

@@GLBizzie Yeah but he still works for the point I was making.

[@elqi8129]

@@Elwaves2925 Except the show got far far worse when the cast stopped changing consistently

[@nick5661]

Yeah as a UK citizen I wouldn't believe the mirror if it told me water was wet so I don't blame you waiting.

[@magnuspeacock5857]

Martha was a one series companion who appeared in 3 episodes of the next season. It could just be something like that?

[@jetguy128]

She also appeared in last two episodes of series 4. So she made 5 episode appearances

[@nailinthefashion]

And there's always potential to be revisited, I mean, we just saw Donna again, there's been many other instances too. This is just two seasons, so I'm gonna be patient and open minded

[@Paulxl]

Donna was meant to be just in "The Runaway Bride" and they bring her back.

[@Stephen-Fox]

@@jetguy128 And 3 in that season's Torchwood - apparently she was contracted to two seasons but RTD wrote himself into a corner with her arc meaning the only thing the character could do was leave the TARDIS.

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

Until there's official confirmation, I'm hoping it's a Martha situation and the ideas of BTS drama is just people making a mountain out of a mole hill. My prediction is she'll leave in the finale this year, given she's apparently not in the Xmas special, but is in episode 4, that'll be a mid season check in and her other appearances will be in the finale.

[@jfsredhead]

it seems there was a misunderstanding as now it says varsda sethu will appear with millions Gibson throughout the season

[@HotDogTimeMachine385]

Doctor who is a show of constant change. People: "change is bad! freaking out!"

[@GLBizzie]

I wonder if people freaked out like that when Susan left and Vicki came or Ian and Barbara left

[@HotDogTimeMachine385]

​@@GLBizzie That's a really good question. Back then the internet didn't exist, so hatedoms (as opposed to fandoms) and tabloids couldn't organize and unite like this. Old Who had a different Dalek design really often, but New Who had the same Dalek design since 2005 because people are averse to change. This reminds me of Star Wars, everyone freaks out over Ray, but honestly Ahsoka was also hated when she was introduced but there wasn't an organized hatedom yet. Technology made hate much more accessible

[@SallyLovejoy]

@@GLBizzie No, we didn't. We didn't think we'd get used to Patrick Troughton as a replacement for William Hartnell! 😂😂😂

[@scpatl4now]

I think we forget that what we are looking forward to (the new season) has been filming for a really long time. So, for these actors, it isn't that new. Millie Gibson is very young and might just want to move on. The have filmed almost 2 seasons already...so this really isn't as unusual.

[@cjfhotshot2838]

I know in Radio Interviews running during new year, Millie Gibson said she'd be auditioning for other parts, so that was the first hint that she may be leaving Doctor Who I do however think it's insulting and sexist of UK news outlets to say she was "Axed" or "Dropped for being a Diva" It reads very similar to when Sam and Cat ended and the press blamed it all on Jennette McCurdy

[@donaldpaluga]

When we ALL know now it was Ariana Grande's fault

[@CapriUni]

In the early classic era, it was fairly common for outgoing companions and incoming companions to have one or two episodes/serials where they overlapped. The example that's ringing the loudest bell for me now is with the Second Doctor, and the exit of Ben and Polly and the entrance of Jamie.

[@borjankosarac3645]

Weren’t Ben and Polly there for the rest of Season 4, and only written out in the penultimate story (the last one, “The Evil of the Daleks” introduces Victoria)? But you’re not wrong, at the very least if there were more companions there’d still be one or more from before so it wasn’t even a clean sweep until Pertwee’s first season. The Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Doctors would at the barest introduce a replacement before a departure (Adric before Romana left, Turlough before Nysa did, Peri before Turlough, and Ace before Mel…)

[@M-E_123]

If the "big mystery" around Ruby is her mother, it very much looks like this will resolve by the end of Season 1, or next year's Christmas Special. Then it makes sense she leaves the Tardis to spend time with said mother (or is so troubled by her mother's identity she bails out of time travel). The 3 episodes is, in my opinion, more likely to be a Martha in Series 4 type situation. Ruby may also be getting positioned to appear in spin offs - which we know RTD has planned. So something like she leaves end of Season 1, new companion introduced at Christmas, Ruby guests in 3 episodes of Season 2 but doesn't rejoin the Doctor full time, and then Ruby turns up in the first Spin off (which is timed to air in between Season 2 & 3, same timing as Torchwood in RTD's first run). Although I'm thinking we likely have the "mother mystery" resolve in the next Christmas Special - I think this will be an almost direct sequel to the first Christmas Special, and will conclude / move forward plot threads set up last last year and tie up her story arc. I'm pretty sure this is a planned exit.

[@borjankosarac3645]

Could be either way, and we don’t yet know how the final episodes will play out… This is a show that tends to be flexible in favour of its stars, if in large part by precedence set in the 1960s; heck, David Tennant at least considered staying for Steven Moffat’s first season and Moff had a general outline that would’ve still used Amy Pond but accounted for the Doctor regeneration in the Series 5 finale… not to mention that Matt Smith leaving meant Trenzalore didn’t get to be a full series arc as apparently planned.

[@DisabledDragon]

She could even decide that once she has closure over who her mother is, she wants to go back to her family, who she seems very happy with and involved in, including whatever new foster siblings join it

[@aarondubourg3706]

If we look at RTDs original run, this isn't exactly unsurprising. Martha I imagine woulf probably be the closest comparison since she returned the next season after her time with the Doctor. While this is something I'd rather not have learned and all thr fake drama is annoying, I do hope this means that the tragic companion farwells will be toned down alot. There's a certain power of storytelling when the protagonist returns to their own world. When the protagonist goes "There and Back Again."

[@happysquirrel]

I'm actually super intrigued to see what they'll do with a mid-season companion exit, if this even turns out to be that which it might not. I mean, back in classic Who, companions peaced out at whatever random point they wanted! Not every departure needs to be for big dramatic season finale reasons, it'd be quite nice to have more just I've had enough now, thanks for having me kind of exits.

[@Edboimck]

to add on the 7:03, sarah jane travelled with the 4th doctor until the end of the second story of season 14 with the third being the deadly assassin which was just the doctor. i think this happened due to liz sladens contract running out during production but don't quote me on that

[@kboy181]

I hope Russell has learned his lessons on how not to write a poc companion after Martha

[@GLBizzie]

I mean did he? He made a fuss about Rose in the new specials and what did we got? Nothing lol

[@bobcassidy201]

What lessons? I really liked Martha!

[@hopekeeley2122]

@@bobcassidy201Martha was lovely! It’s just that the way the narrative treated her was not good

[@intergalactic92]

I think for the most part people would have liked her to stay longer, and that’s the crux of this 'drama' people are surprised and upset by this discovery. I’m not hugely surprised because I vaguely recall rumblings about this being the case (something along the lines of Millie Gibson looking forward to moving onto other projects), I think no one made a big thing on the assumption that this would not be until at least after season 2/15/41 was finished. It’s the fact that we have reached that point now that has caught everyone by surprise.

[@MrMarsFargo]

Interestingly, I don't think the "three episodes" of season 41 necessarily means she'll be in the BEGINNING of the season then leave. I think it could mean that maybe Ruby appears intermittently throughout the season, the way Rose did in season 29 (series 4) to foreshadow her return in the finale. So I think maybe what COULD be happening is that Ruby's story gets "wrapped up" in season 40, then she'll potentially make an intermittent/foreshadowed return in the FINALE (not beginning) of season 41.

[@edwardphilibin3151]

She could be in the first episodes SHOT in the next season, but the way they schedule production, the first three could be mid or end of season.

[@Tedi652]

Season 41? No one says that wtf 😂

[@GLBizzie]

@@Tedi652I get when people say series 14/15 for the new ones but season 41 ? Bruh no. Just stop lol

[@illusion115]

Yes, I also wish they would break those companion bullet points. We even had one alien companion once, Nardole. I'm hoping we'll get more different companion ideas in the future.

[@NTNG13]

It's shocking to people now because when the show was at peak influence in pop culture the companions stayed for years on end with Moffat, it was almost hilarious how many fake exits both Amy and Clara had. It was a gig that was attractive and worth staying for a few years. I think companions now are treating Doctor Who as another stepping stone into bigger chances which comes in tandem with the dwindling relevance of the show.

[@gingergoddess8953]

How many fake exits Amy and Clara had? RORY DIED AND CAME BACK MORE TIMES THAN KENNY ON SOUTH PARK

[@nailinthefashion]

Also I feel like people are so sensitive to any news they're gonna pattern seek immediately but we literally have no idea what is coming lol

[@NTNG13]

@@nailinthefashion i mean RTD has a bad record of behind the scenes drama. Makes sense people are speculating

[@Faction.Paradox]

At the moment we have no idea if Ruby was planned as a one season companion from the start like Martha or not. Her story might be concluded by the finale. Until we get concrete information I'm not going to presume the worst of anyone sans facts.

[@peterr1001]

Nice to hear someone being calm & rational about the situation, rather than some of the over the top reactions from the usual suspects. My only query is what episodes is Millie appearing in series 15/season 2, because according to the Mirror, although not confirmed, she won't be appearing in the Christmas special. This may mean she won't be appearing in the 1st 3 episodes of her 2nd season but like Martha in season 4 it may be later in the season. All of this is speculation & we shall just have to wait & see.

[@spacepenguins8939]

I dunno, Martha left in series 3 and came back for 2 parters and a one off in the doctors daughter- so Millie being in 3 episodes (of a 8 episode series) isn’t that weird

[@someoneoncesaid6978]

Sarah Jane left 8 episodes into season 14 (which had 26 episodes) Leela started 13 episodes into season 14 (which had 26 episodes) Romana left 20 episodes into season 18 (which had 28 episodes) Adric started 9 episodes into season 18 and left 22 episodes into season 19 (which had 26 episodes) Nyssa started 25 episodes into season 18 and left 16 episodes into season 20 (which had 22 episodes) Tegan started 25 episodes into season 18 and left 12 episodes into season 21 (which had 24 episodes) Turlough started 9 episodes into season 20 and left 16 episodes into season 21 (which had 24 episodes) Peri started 17 episodes into season 21 and left 8 episodes into season 23 (which had 14 episodes) There are more . . . I was just going over the ones during the period I watched growing up. It is not uncommon for companions to start or leave part way through a season, and often with overlap of their replacement so that there's continuity. Them doing it this time, with what is appearing to be some episodes of overlap, is not unusual for anyone who grew up watching Doctor Who. My guess is that Gibson only wanted to do it for a single season, but agreed to do the first couple of episodes of the next season to help bring in the new companion. If they had a problem with her, they'd have just written her out at the end of the first season and not offered her the first several episodes on the second season. And if she had a problem with them then she wouldn't have agreed to come back for the first couple of episodes of the second season. All of this sounds like it was amicable and pre-planned for her character to run its course in the given timeframe, and then hand the companion reigns over to someone else.

[@JulieAiken]

I agree 100%. It indicates to me that it's amicable, and they're simply wrapping up her story in a few episodes rather than taking the full season or leaving it hanging. I assume we'll find out who she is, for instance, and who left her at the Church on Ruby Road, which may be answers they were saving for a later time. I also assume we will see her again. (Few ever leave Doctor Who forever. Some -- Eccleston, Noel Clarke, hopefully not John Barrowman -- don't come back for negative reasons, but very few.) Thanks for a great episode!

[@uosdwiSrdewoH]

I'm genuinely looking forward to Varada Sethu coming on as the next companion. I always wanted more of her on screen in Andor. There's a certain something about her. I almost wish they could age up companions or cast older actors so we don't have to wait decades for The Doctor to see them again after many years. Like imagine he had Ruby Sunday with him for a year. She says she wants to get back because anymore than a year and people might wonder why she aged so much in the last few minutes. But she wants to have another go. Maybe come back in 10 years. Or 20. So the very next episode he picks up a 40 year old Ruby and she's changed from her life experiences but has been thinking of where she wants to spend her next year away. Some kind of tragic event that can't be directly changed is where she's headed only some things need to happen so everything lines up. I probably ripped that off from somewhere but you get what I'm saying. Could be fun doing some kind of Endgame scenario where they have to go back through their own pasts to fix something because something has been altered and they only have a rough idea which events so they need to do it Back to The Future 2 style and follow themselves. Plenty more mostly copied ideas except within Doctor Who where those came from.

[@Venemofthe888]

I think its a little shocking she's going but not uncommon for a RTD series companion to do only one series (aside from Billie Piper although Eccleston did one series only). Before anyone throws out accusations of why she's left there's nothing concrete on the reasoning. She's on holiday in Costa Rica atm according to her Instagram so she has and will not make a comment right now especially since she's on a break so please do not badger her on holiday or you know at all. The UK online tabloids do make my eyes roll a lot since they report on something and anything. The leak of her leaving reminds me of when Ecclestons departure was leaked while the 3rd or 4th episode was about to air. I don't want to say it's the same thing cause I said I won't speculate cause we don't know anything for her exit. I'm not too familiar with the new actress coming in but she's been in jurassic world I think although I've not seen it. Hopefully Millies exit doesn't cast a big shadow over the upcoming series

[@alexbradley-stocks5109]

This strikes me as similar to Martha's exit, where she was contracted for 2 series but RTD realised he'd written the character into a corner and so, had her leave in the finale but had her return for 3 Torchwood stories and 5 Who appearances to honour her contract.

[@matthewbell4897]

I really wish I didn’t know this until it happened in the narrative. But still feeling good about the future of the show

[@SallyLovejoy]

Enjoying your channel! I've been watching Doctor Who since 1963. (Yep, I'm old.) The thing to remember is.....anything can happen! I'd also like to say that British tabloids don't tend to be as unreliable as US tabloids. Due to strict British libel/ defamation laws, the underlying facts within the story tend to based on truth. For instance, she's leaving - FACT. The reasons and opinions behind the truth - open to interpretation. Hope this helps!

[@wanderplea]

It is so awesome that you have been watching Doctor Who since the beginning!!!

[@ianresc3615]

Whatever the reasons might be, as a fan, I find it hard to invest into a character that I know is going to leave. Especially since we haven't seen anything so far. Quite frankly, they are not doing themselves any favours with how far ahead they're shooting things. We might get to know the next Doctor before we get to see season two of Gatwa. Assuming that he gets three. This sort of leaks and drama will only get worse.

[@TetchyEquation]

I don't think so. If we assume Ncuti follows the 3 series tradition, then season 3 wont even start filming until later this year/early next year, and if that did end up being his last they could save that announcement until after they were done filming season 3. It means we'll have season 1 and the 2024 Christmas special behind us before they announce him leaving, and whilst that still leaves a new Doctor hanging over his last two series, it's not completely unprecedented. We knew Jodie was leaving before Flux and the 2022 specials aired, for example, and that's 9 episodes.

[@TetchyEquation]

And that's not even to mention they probably don't announce the new Doctor at the same time as the announcement of the previous Doctor stepping down. Jodie was announced to be leaving but we still didn't know about Ncuti or David being 14 for another 8-9 months

[@Brunoxsa]

Thank you for the video, Vera! I will admit that hearing about Millie Gibson leaving the Doctor Who TV series so soon, especially before the single season where she debuts wrapping up, is weird. However, considering how that happened before with other actors in companions' roles, the heavy presence of news coverage and social networks play some part in making that even more noticeable now than in the past. About Millie Gibson's reasons for leaving the series, I really hope for they being related to her feeling fulfilled enough by the role or wanting to pursue different projects in her acting career. However, my biggest fear is Gibson choosing to leave because she is facing too much harassment from the "anti-woke" crowd. That would be awful!

[@wolfieeeee256]

Indeed - the British tabloids in particular are experts at making something out of nothing. I'm a theme park enthusiast, I see it all the time... "12 people STUCK UPSIDE DOWN on TERRIFYING roller coaster" etc etc... load of BS obviously but they love hyperbole, gets people reading/speculating/talking/outraged about absolutely nothing.

[@MarcosSantos-dj6lk]

Vera already have photos from the set with Ncuti. Varada is indeed the new companion. They are shooting episode 2 from season 2

[@cammiehalliday757]

It’s still not being confirmed by the BBC. Why is Variety seen as reliable?

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Established industry focused publication with good connections and a strong track record of accuracy.

[@AnnetteFrancescaDesigns]

Thank you, a bit of sanity on the subject at last! At the risk of sounding like a cliché it is what it is and the best way to deal with it is to go with the flow and see where we end up.

[@jakeoliver9167]

Genuine question to clear up confusion. Why do you believe this wasn't planned because of the extra episodes? Martha had extra episodes. That was planned. I'm not sure what you mean regarding season 7 dovetail. That was also planned. And we don't know when millie turns up in season 2. I probably missed something you said if so sorry

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Just gut instinct. It could very well be a Martha situation.

[@nailinthefashion]

Me: she's cynical (taps to see reply) yeah, that's to be expected, giving me the perspective I lack as an optimist hahaha

[@DigiRangerScott]

I dunno, I think the only think that puffs this up is the fact that it’s an 8 episode season and that means such a shorter amount of time with her. 12 total stories

[@jakeoliver9167]

8 episodes. Plus the last Christmas special. Plus the next Christmas special. Plus 3 appearances in season 2.

[@hypnoamber3248]

This. I'm so unhappy with only 8 episodes when I want more not less.

[@DigiRangerScott]

@@jakeoliver9167 Nope, not the next Christmas special, according to the source. Guest companion. It's 9+3

[@foxesofautumn]

As soon as I heard it was a story in the Mirror and the Sun my eyes rolled like a boulder chasing Indiana Jones. I think she might be leaving but I don’t think she was fired. I think she left to do something else.

[@desiladygamer2076]

I think that Ruby Sunday was dropped off at the church doorstep by aliens, and I think she's going to find out her big alien secret and go into space, thus ending her story arc. That's my theory anyway.

[@elelonger4409]

She said she wanted to leave, i think they want the conservatives just want drama. Re watching dr who again and people saying its trying to be more woke haven't watched an episode in their lives

[@valolafson6035]

I was wondering that too. If it's just the ''Dr Who is too woke'' people complaining about something else.

[@SKSith]

I'm kind of glad just because I kind of like single season companions cause I like a Doctor to have a lot of companion eras. I'd rather it be planned, but 3 episodes sounds like a good amount of room to finish off any major plans.

[@chazzacw3947]

Hello, UK viewer here. It’s the Mirror that reported this… they are less than reliable. I’d take it with a pinch of salt. And then another heaping handful 😅

[@CouncilofGeeks]

As did I, which is why I waited for a more reliable outlet (Variety in this case) to verify the basics.

[@chazzacw3947]

@@CouncilofGeeks My apologies Vera, so you did :)

[@davidblyth6886]

The mirror journalist has a very reliable record

[@mikaylaeager7942]

This is just how RTD does companions. She will get a couple guest appearances in the next season after her one season story arc wraps up. He did this with Martha. He did this with Donna. The only reason Rose got two seasons is because 9 left at the end of her first season and it would have been a really bad look for them both to leave at the same time.

[@ooooneeee]

Thank you for roasting the tabloids in detail on their bullshit. Good analysis. I think Gibson got offered a role she really wanted and that led to her leaving prematurely. It really makes sense for her to not stay on too long this early in her career.

[@davidblyth6886]

Even mrtardis is calling out rtd for something clearly sus about this stuff, and hes a shill supremo

[@jackaylward-williams9064]

I really wish that they’d kept Donna as the main companion for Hayes’s first season instead of introducing a new companion straightaway. One of the character traits that I find most prominent with Donna is that she doesn’t initially assume blindly that The Doctor is always right in the way that most companions do, the most notable examples naturally being her disagreeing with him about warning the people of Pompeii about the volcano, but this tendency becomes noticeable less pronounced in the later episodes of Series 4 and the 60th anniversary specials. I would have been interested to see an arc where The Doctor suddenly looking and acting like a much younger man started to give Donna the impression that she should take charge of situations as the more “mature” of the two (possibly reinforcing this idea by having her retain the time lord knowledge that she gained from the metacrisis to some degree.)

[@M_M_ODonnell]

Amicable split, as you say, or if not amicable then everyone's still being a professional about it. Beyond which point it's not my business until/unless someone involved wants to talk about it publicly. As always, it will be interesting to see the new dynamics.

[@jvictor001]

I hope it's not true. Can you imagine another Eccleston situation? That would leave no doubt that RTD is messy. Regardless, I'm excited for the new companion, but ngl I wanted Ruby for another season.

[@SWTobito0702]

RTD has so far only written one companion who stayed on for more than one series, that being Rose but even then while Rose was around we got a single series Doctor in Eccelston. I really don't see how this' anything truly noteworthy.

[@CJ-qp7hi]

In my head Ruby is a parallel doctor born within the division universe the timless child created ( in the doctors future not past) Therefore this could potentially tie into my overall thoughts if she was made a returning character after 1 full series… Another thing, sure Milly Gibson began shooting for the show before Nciti, maybe shes owes time off- RTD hasn’t released a statement therefore he might like the misdirection as he hasn’t denied it confirmed

[@renecomedy]

Whenever I want to sensible, non sensational POV Online for doctor who, I come here. You are a breath of fresh air in the cesspool that is the internet.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I do what I can.

[@citrinedragonfly]

I'm sad the news was leaked, honestly. It's not quite as bad as the leak about Eccleston leaving after 1 series on the day he premiered, but I don't think anything will be that bad. I saw a few KZbin channels with taglines that were just as rumor-mongering as the tabloid headlines, but didn't click because I don't follow them and don't know how trustworthy they are. You, Vera, I trust. Still, companions come and go, and I'm still excited for Millie's run of episodes. I don't know the new actor at all (I know, I know, I need to watch Andor - my brother keeps after me about it), so I don't have an opinion on her yet aside from her appearance, but I trust RTD with casting. I don't know how the transition will come about, obviously, but I think it'd be neat if the Doctor and Millie met the new companion, she joined up, and then Ruby exited however the story will go. A bridge/transition period, kind of like they used to do in the 60s (having Steven in an episode with Ian and Barbara, then continue on with Vicki, for example). I don't think we've had a mid-season companion change since the 80s with Turlough and Peri. Not counting Mel, since Dragonfire was the last episode of a season, iirc. If I'm wrong, then it's since Mel. But some of the best companions left mid-season (Sarah Jane, Nyssa, Ian and Barbara, Vicki), and their stories turned out fine. I'm just excited to know that there will be more seasons, since they're filming in advance! More guaranteed Doctor Who is a guaranteed happy thing for me!

[@sesselja]

Like you said, there's been single-season companions before, including 4 in the modern era (would Nardole also count, actually?), but they've never been the first companion for a new Doctor or showrunner. Every time we get a new Doctor or showrunner, the first companions stay for at least two seasons--the only weird space being Rose, who already had one season. When things are starting up again, I feel like there's an expectation of a new status quo being established; Rose, Amy & Rory, Clara, and the trio of Yaz, Ryan, and Graham all lasted for at least two years, and helped establish a new mood and tone for the show. Having this feels like it won't really manage that, or at least it raises the question if it'll work out that way. Of course, it doesn't necessarily have to, and it might be that the news breaking so early is just bringing that additional undue scrutiny onto it, but that's something that caught me off-guard about it, for sure. Also doesn't help that, while RTD had two one-season companions, since then we've mainly gotten people staying anywhere between 2 and 3 full seasons; even if Ryan and Graham left, Yaz was still there the full three seasons, and Moffat had two (sets of?) companions for 2.5 seasons each, people might not be used to the rhythm of a short-term companion anymore. Also YES to breaking the formula any which way. I do love the love story between Rose and Tennant's Doctor, but the age difference always felt *weird*, even with the younger-looking tenth Doctor; so much of what came after carried implications of something similar being assumed, or at least the possibility of it happening, and having that younger female companion as they go on their journey still just feels a bit ick, especially now with an actress under 20. Donna was a breath of fresh air, and I hope Sethu's character will be, too. Strangely enough, I feel like this is one of the very few instances where I actually want a male character rather than a female one, if only because the dynamic will shift so strongly if it's two guys, and I'd actually like to see that play out somehow. Or a future female Doctor with a male companion...kind of highlight the weird dynamics happening...

[@MagsPM]

My reaction is *shrug* companions come and go. I haven’t seen enough of her to say whether I’d miss her, and I know nothing about the actor being touted as her replacement. Plus I won’t really, fully believe it until the announcement is official. So to me, this feels like a non-story right now.

[@andrewbowman4611]

The thing is, both Russell T Davies and Millie Gibson did the recent in-vision commentary on iPlayer, and they certainly seemed to happy in each other's company. This would have been shot middle of December last year and, given that filming's now restarted, she'd obviously wrapped up by that point, bar possible A.D.R. etc. Personally, I don't think this anything other than sensationalist journalism, frankly.

[@davidblyth6886]

keeping up appearances, look it up

[@andrewbowman4611]

@@davidblyth6886 "It's pronounced 'bouquet!'"

[@DavidProv]

Millie Gibson is the same age as the revival of the show (like she isn't even 20 yet). She went from a local soap opera (I think) to an internationally loved (or internationally hated depending upon who you talk to) show. If she made the decision herself to leave, it might be because she became too overwhelmed. But I'm only speculating with what little information I have.

[@Stephen-Fox]

Companion leaving after a single season with a few episodes in the next season? The comparison point I'd look to is Martha Jones and Freema Agyeman. Where the reason for it was... RTD wrote himself into a corner with Martha's arc after Agyeman was initially contracted for two seasons, leading to her being written out (because that's what was right for Martha's story) but bringing her back for 5/13 episodes in Doctor Who S4 and bringing her into 3/13 episodes in Torchwood S2. Not speculating that this is what happened here, but... This is the closest comparison point I can think of to what is being reported (even down to the emotive language of how the tabloids are reporting on it)

[@Coco21212]

I'm happy the actress who plays the new companion is in her 30's. But I hope the character is also in her 30's which is not a given (especially with POC actors) since 30 y/o Mandip Gill played 19 y/o Yasmin Khan.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

I seriously did not properly clock that Yaz was that young. I just assumed you couldn't get on the police force that young. I mean, thinking on it now, it makes sense given Ryan's age and that they knew each other, but still.

[@CulturePhilter]

@@CouncilofGeeksi’m pretty sure you can join the police force at 17. So pretty much as soon as you finish school if you don’t go in to do A-Levels etc..

[@supremeoverlorde2109]

Until there's any actual confirmation from the studio or RTD, I'm operating on the assumption that the tabloids are making this out to be a much bigger deal than it is. One-season companions are nothing new, and for all we know, her story will be wrapped up and she'll pull a Martha by showing up a few times in the next season. I just wish it was easier to keep this kind of thing under wraps and we didn't have to hear about it this soon. Series 14 still feels so far away.

[@santagonewrong]

When I saw the headlines, I at first assumed it meant that she'd somehow been dropped from the upcoming season, and wasn't going to appear again at all. That seemed like the only scenario that seemed proportionate to the reactions.

[@Deathlygunn]

The one thing that concerns me is the fact theres been no official press release from the BBC or Russell, no comments from Ncuti, Varada or Millie herself (Fair enough this was a leak, but we're midweek now and theres no update, not even an Instagram post from Russell) and now the toy manufacturers have come forward to say they're not sure whether they're going to release the Ruby Sunday figure (that's already been prototyped) since she'll have departed by the time the toy is ready to release. I don't know if the rumours about Millie are true, I hope they aren't because she seems like a sweet person with a bright career ahead, but this doesn't feel like a planned departure - it feels like more of a recent decision, especially if Ruby's story isnt tied up prior to her leaving the TARDIS (Russell notes a few plot threads he hasn't addressed in Series 1 during the commentaries for Ruby Road)

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Do you have a source for that thing about the toy manufacturers?

[@ZoeMalDoran]

I agree that the much longer lead time between her filming her episodes and the BBC airing them is distorting the perception of events. I'm a little curious as to how long her season is actually going to be - is it going to be 13 episodes like in the first RTD era or something shorter? If they're doing a shorter season than they may have originally planned, and her contract was for a set number of episodes, that may be why she's doing part of Ncuti's second season. I'm sure all will be revealed eventually

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Seasons are currently said to be 8 episodes.

[@kanelives609]

​@CouncilofGeeks only 8? Damn I didn't know, that doesn't feel great to hear

[@ZoeMalDoran]

@@CouncilofGeeks 8 episodes per season doesn't sound enough, but hopefully they'll be good episodes

[@M-E_123]

8 episodes & likely a second Christmas Special - so 13 episodes total (8 in Season 1, 2 Christmas Specials & 3 in Season 2). So far it's bit less than normal for a RTD companion, but plenty of time to make up for it as RTD does like to bring his companions back (Rose had 26 episodes, 1 Christmas Special & 2 guest appearances, not counting Day of the Doctor - Martha 13 episodes & 5 guest appearances - Donna had 13 episodes, 1 Christmas, 2 minor guest appearances in Tennants first regeneration Specials & the 3 recent Specials). Ruby either leaves early in Season 2, or does a Martha and leaves end of Season 1 or at Christmas, and pops up again midway through Season 2. There's also a possibility she's being positioned to star in or guest in a spin off (which we know RTD is planning & if aired between Season 2 & 3 would mirror Torchwood's timing the first time RTD was showrunner - and would probably start filming after Season 2 wraps).

[@Elwaves2925]

@@M-E_123 If there's truth to the stories going around, then Millie isn't in the next Xmas special but will return in the season after that.

[@199bobi]

In addition to breaking one of the mainstays you list of the modern companions - young, attractive, modern era, woman - we could also add Earth. I would love to see another alien companion - I don't think we really have had one since the Classic era (unless Vinder counts?).

[@thehobbyguy7089]

It's probably a storyline thing. It's a good thing to mix it up.

[@R.senals_Arsenal]

RTD believes in a rolling supporting cast, and with 12 episodes she's already outdoing Dan! I don't see an issue. And from a purely personal POV I find Varada easier on the eyes than Millie, but that could just be i'm not attracted to teenagers and early 20 somethings. 😅Not for a very long time anyways.

[@nemoignorat2443]

Honestly, I was waiting for you to talk about it since so much I've heard was only rumours. So thank you.

[@jmpjjacobs4829]

1:07 Small minor note: Season 40 If you count from Season 1 in 1963/64, not Season 41. 😅❤

[@valolafson6035]

I always forget Donna was only one season and some extras.

[@bellablue5285]

Honestly avoiding another Clara situation sounds great? Clara was present way, way too long and honestly is the main reason I did not watch the Capaldi season (seasons? I gave up back when it was still Matt Smith's doctor and Clara so not sure... I quite despised the Clara character).

[@matt0044]

Last I heard, it was a reduced role akin to how Luke in Sarah Jane went to university but still appeared here and there to help remotely or come back for an season finale.

[@bandanbluevan]

Think it's most likely that it's because Ncuti has said he's leaving at end of season 2 and new companion is going to be the cross over companion for new one. Would make sense rather than having to start everything anew

[@philopharynx7910]

I do hope that this withdrawal isn't for medical reasons. That would be sad, but understandable. I definitely would like a companion who isn't from early 21st century Earth. It would be interesting to have a nonhuman, though I suspect they'd find some way to make them appear human for ease of shooting.

[@donaldpaluga]

Some medical reasons aren't sad.....

[@SplotchTheCatThing]

Only thing I'd really have to offer here is that if I was RTD and I was upping the pace of the show's production I'd probably want to have a pair of leads stick around longer than one season to prevent... well, exactly this :) But on the other fork of the tail RTD's previous era had that very clear pattern of tying one of the leads' emotional arc closely into the season's story arc and then letting them go once that character development was complete. So it's hard to say.

[@charlieinthefog]

Hi Vera, sorry about this. I have the most totally off-topic question, but I've been wondering about this since forever. Who are the people that appear with you on the art of your profile pic / video opener / ending? Also, nice video :)

[@johnhmaloney]

I think it's possible that Ruby's exit was planned like this from the beginning. Maybe there's just too much to wrap up by the end of the season to give her a proper send-off, so their devoting a 3 episode arc at the top of the next season to doing that.

[@MeidasWhovianAdvocate]

If it's an article written by Nicola Methven you can rely on it

[@DillonExner]

Maybe, she was planning on leaving after one season then found out about a story in S2 she really wanted to do. Lis Sladen was originally going to leave at the end of S13, before she found out about “Masque.”

[@lewisb85]

"millie gibson bikini" *googles frantically"

[@Dan_Gilpin]

She's got a lot more fame from just being announced & the big publicity push for the Disney+ 'reboot', so wouldn't surprise me if she's got a film role offer or something and wants to go for it. Other than that, the only point I want to comment on is... the new companion is 'REASONABLY ATTRACTIVE'? She's a stone cold stunner

[@shaunhouse8469]

To some degree my view on this is if you can get Varada Sethu in you grab the opportunity

[@sofajockeyUK]

Would hardly be a first for a companion to do one season. The tone in the press is particularly unpleasant without actual evidence.

[@sashagrapko9508]

From what I've seen and heard, I believe Millie will not appear in Ncuti's second christmas special. I do not think she will be a full companion in Season 2/Series 15, and of the episodes she appears in is episode four, so probably not specifically the first three episodes.

[@sashagrapko9508]

She was not seen in any filming for the 2024 Christmas special and was seen in filming for episode four (which we can tell from clapperboards).

[@JediMB]

I'm hoping this was planned, and they just went with an unusual "one season + occasional check-ins in the next" way of doing it. Whatever the case, we'll see how things go.

[@Calliborc]

It was really bothering me why Varada Sethu looked familiar riiiiiight up until the image from Andor popped up.

[@nightowl8477]

We don't know they're the opening 3 episodes? It could be the exact same situation as Martha, where Freema was promised three eps in the series following so it was clear there was no bad politics and she could always come back.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

This is true, that was something of an assumption on my part that it would be the first three, but that's just gut instinct. I don't have evidence of that.

[@nightowl8477]

@@CouncilofGeeks - I would be interested if it does turn out to be the opening three episodes. That would be strange. I think she probably just took another job or didn't like the publicity or something. I'd be surprised if it's not benign.

[@WhitneyAllisonGG]

I saw this on the feed for this Story. I decided to wait it to be confirmed

[@lucypreece7581]

I hate the narrative being spun about Millie being "difficult" to work with. That is often a term used to demonise women in the public eye who are simply being assertive and expressing boundaries and who are not willing to be submissive, naive, gullible doormats. We see it time and time again. Look at Rachel Zegler, or Millie Bobby Brown. Other young women in the public eye who are labelled as "difficult" to make them look like terrible people when really all they were likely doing was just being assertive and expressing an opinion.

[@X08-Chill]

I'm guessing it's just a Martha situation, or even that it's meant to be a surprise or mid-series shake up. Having a main companion leave in the middle of a series hasn't happened in the Revival and could work really well with new audiences and surprise long term viewers or people who end up watching through all of the show in a decades time

[@keelanbarron928]

I mean, should we really be surprised? RTD did this during his first run. (Where either a doctor or companion only lasted for one series then was dropped for a new one next series.)

[@GLBizzie]

The only time a doctor left after a series was because of bad blood and not because he planned it lol

[@kittyprydekissme]

I've been seeing headlines and stuff about this for the last few days (but this video is the only thing I actually clicked on), and every headline I see looks like 'Mel Gibson' at first glance.

[@arielsteinsaltz1956]

Do we know for sure that Ruby’s three episodes will be the first three? Maybe she’s just going to be periodic throughout the season like Martha was in Donna’s season, as an Earth-based friend.

[@Frey12]

I wasn't sure this was true, but even if its true it doesn't mean anything. Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) left after her season and continued to show up in Doctor Who until RTD left.

[@stevenricks1703]

2:23 Nitpick that should probably be ignored but I can't make myself not say it: "Season 2 / 15 / 42" ... There were 26 seasons in the original run, and 15 + 26 = 41, not 42.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

That's what I get for doing the math in my head.

[@eshbena]

@@CouncilofGeeks Hey, you were closer than I would have gotten. XD

[@josephrankin9406]

Remember when Rose left and we all had a heartfelt and tearful goodbye ... as she literally got locked into another universe with no way back ? . Gone forever ...

[@greghawkins59]

It could be a Martha type situation, she turned up in couple episodes after her season.

[@rikuapologist]

tbh i disagree with the idea that the 3 extra episodes indicates anything about whether or not millie's departure was planned or not or whether her story was a loose end - not counting the Big Companion Reunion at the end of s4, martha returned for 3 episodes, and unless there's something about freema's departure i'm not aware of she felt like she had her arc within the season

[@GamerWho]

This is only news if you are trying to frame the show as troubled, or at least you know a portion of your readers are. To me it just adds credence to the possibility of a big reveal Ruby is a lost incarnation of the Doctor and this was planned but not publicised to avoid spoiler speculation

[@harrygilbert2052]

Martha literally had a season arch through series 3 and then continued her character through 5 episodes of season 4. Surely this is all that's happening with Ruby as part of Russell's world building