Nicola Coughlan will star in the Doctor Who Christmas special as the Doctor’s companion
Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan is set to join the Doctor Who Christmas special as a new companion for the BBC show. The festive episode, filmed last year, will not feature either outgoing sidekick Millie Gibson or incoming assistant Varada Seethu.
Instead, Coughlan, also known for her role in Channel 4’s hit comedy Derry Girls, will lead the action alongside Ncuti Gatwa as they face a new threat on Christmas Day.
The 37-year-old actress from Co Galway is best recognized for her roles as Clare Devlin in Derry Girls and Penelope “Lady Whistledown” Featherington in Bridgerton. She has previously worked with the 15th Doctor, Ncuti, in the Hollywood blockbuster Barbie.
Showrunner Russell T Davies often uses guest stars in the Christmas specials, with past appearances including Catherine Tate in 2006 as Donna Noble, Kylie Minogue as Astrid Peth in 2007, and David Morrissey as Jackson Lake in 2008.
Last year it was announced that Coughlan would have an undisclosed role in the upcoming BBC1 series, which starts on Saturday. However, it was not revealed that she would appear at Christmas or as a main character, reports the Mirror.
Now, she is poised to make a significant impact as she journeys through time and space in the TARDIS.
Russell praised the actress effusively after filming, saying: “This has been the most brilliant shoot, with Nicola lighting up the set and bringing joy. From Derry, via Bridgerton, to the TARDIS, it’s the trip of a lifetime.”
Nicola expressed her excitement about joining the iconic series, stating: “I’ve been a fan of Ncuti Gatwa for some time and getting to share the screen with him as the Doctor has been an absolute joy”.
Next year she will feature in fewer than half of the episodes. In 2025, viewers will see a new face alongside the Doctor, as Varada Seethu joins the cast as a fresh companion.
Yet, audiences will get an early glimpse of Varada this summer when she makes a brief on-screen appearance, though it remains uncertain if she will portray the same character.
Last week, news broke that Millie, 19, formerly of Coronation Street fame, has committed to starring in a new version of The Forsyte Saga, brought to you by the team behind Poldark.
The drama series, which was hugely successful in the 1960s, was last broadcast in the UK on ITV in 2002.
A significant Disney agreement is up for reassessment.
The substantial deal between Disney and the BBC, positioning Disney as the international broadcaster of Doctor Who outside the UK, is scheduled for review early next year.
