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Doctor Who confirms new cast members

The Chase host Bradley Walsh one of several new faces for the TARDIS in 2018.

New cast members for the upcoming Doctor Who series have been confirmed by the BBC, to join 13th Doctor Jodie Whittaker.

Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill will all appear in the 2018 series.

Walsh, well known for hosting The Chase UK will star as Graham. In August there was speculation he could join as an older companion linked to new showrunner Chris Chibnall having been lead writer on ITV’s Law & Order UK, which starred Walsh for eight seasons. Walsh is understood to be continuing with The Chase.

Tosin will play Ryan and Mandip will play Yasmin. Also joining the series in a returning role is Sharon D. Clarke.

Chris Chibnall says: “The new Doctor is going to need new friends. We’re thrilled to welcome Mandip, Tosin and Bradley to the Doctor Who family. They’re three of Britain’s brightest talents and we can’t wait to see them dive into brand new adventures with Jodie’s Doctor. Alongside them, we’re delighted that Sharon D. Clarke is also joining the show.”

Jodie Whittaker says: “I am so excited to share this huge adventure with Mandip, Tosin and Bradley. It’s a dream team!”

Bradley Walsh says: “I remember watching William Hartnell as the first Doctor. Black and white made it very scary for a youngster like myself. I was petrified but even though I’d watch most of it from behind the sofa through my fingers, I became a fan. I then queued up for ages to get into the Carlton picture house in Watford to watch the great Peter Cushing appear as the Doctor in a full-length feature film made in glorious colour. Am I thrilled to be part of this whole ground breaking new dawn for the Doctor?? Oh yes!”

Mandip Gill says: “I am over the moon to be joining the Doctor Who family. This is an iconic show with an amazing fanbase and I look forward to everything that brings. Certain roles seem unattainable and this is one of those, so much so I didn’t believe it to be true for the first few weeks. To be working alongside the likes of Jodie, Bradley and my old friend Tosin is thrilling. This show is worlds away from the work I’ve done previously and that’s the part that excites me the most.”

Tosin Cole says: “I’m grateful and excited to be a part of this journey with the team. I’m looking forward to jumping in this Doctor Who universe.”

Matt Strevens, Executive Producer, BBC Studios says: “I am thrilled to welcome Bradley, Mandip and Tosin to the new Who family. Working with three such talented actors is going to be a lot of fun. The Doctor is in fine company.”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama says: “The casting of Mandip, Tosin and Bradley is a mark of the new creative ambition Chris is bringing to Doctor Who. He’s already made history with the casting of Jodie. These three new characters complete a new and utterly unmissable team aboard the Tardis.”

The 2018 season will be a 10 week run of 50-minute episodes, kicking off with a one hour episode. It will screen on ABC, iview and ABC ME, preceded by a Christmas special to mark the exit of Peter Capaldi.

8 Responses

  1. Was there a diversity brief in the casting? I continued watching through the Capaldi years, but agree he strained the relationship. I’m looking forward to the fresh direction and hope it wins back the younger viewers.

  2. Interesting; thinking Sharon D Clarke might play a TimeLady? Will see how the dynamic works when the first episode airs (with a slightly longer time for each episode I think it’ll work well). Also interested to see if the companions aren’t all in the TARDIS simultaneously – maybe Walsh for 3 episodes, Mandip and Tosin 2 each, and they all combine for the finale?

  3. I cannot wait to see Jodie in the role and while Tosin and Mandip are welcome additions, I really can’t stand Bradley. Hoping he won’t be much of a focus. And I hope they revamp the current version of the theme tune – it’s excruciatingly piercing!

    1. The good news for you is that with each new Doctor comes a new main theme with opening credits and Murray Gold has composed a new ‘personal theme’ for each Doctor.

  4. After giving up on Doctor Who about three seasons ago, I might give it a go again. With a new cast and Stephen Moffat out the door, the show might return to being enjoyable again, and not a mass of boredom and confusion which it’s been for a while

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