Doctor Who’s New Companion In Season 2 and The Importance of Representation

With little over a week to go until the second season return of Doctor Who with showrunner Russell T. Davies, Ncuti Gatwa (Fifteenth Doctor) and Varada Sethu (Belinda Chandra) starts hitting screens, we were able to attend a press conference with the two leads on what's in store this time around.

For decades, Doctor Who has thrived on the dynamic between the Doctor and their companions. From the classic series to the modern era, companions have often started as wide-eyed adventurers, swept up in the excitement of time travel. This familiar formula doesn’t change often, but in its upcoming second season, it's about to.

The newest companion, Belinda Chandra, played by Varada Sethu, seems to take a page out of Rory Williams & Sarah Jane Smith’s books. Rather than eagerly embracing the thrill of traveling through time and space, Belinda is reluctant. She doesn’t see herself as the Doctor’s latest best friend—at least, not at first. She has a life to get back to, and the mystery at the heart of the season is why she can’t return home.

The Fifteenth Doctor's Second Companion

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The companions have played a crucial role in grounding the Doctor, acting as the audience’s eyes and ears in an otherwise unfathomable universe. Most companions—from Rose Tyler to Ruby Sunday—begin their journeys with excitement, often forming an instant bond with the Doctor. But Belinda’s dynamic with the Doctor is more complex. At a recent press conference, Sethu and Gatwa spoke about how their relationship unfolds gradually, with tension, mystery, and mutual discovery at its core. “ She [Belinda] doesn't wanna be somebody else's little adventure. She wants to go back to her life,” said Sethu.

It reflects a broader trend in modern television—characters who are deeply fleshed out, independent, and who don’t immediately buy into the fantastical. This makes Belinda not just another traveler in the TARDIS, but a character with her own emotional arc. Sethu added, “ She's got very much her own life, her own plot, her own main character journey. And when she gets plucked out of that by the doctor, all she wants is to go home.” Gatwa and Gatwa mentioned that Russell T. Davies acknowledges Sethu’s previous appearance in Doctor Who’s first-season episode, 'Boom,' where Sethu played the Anglican Army soldier Mundy Flynn this season.

The Importance of Representation

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A major highlight of the press conference was the discussion around the historic significance of having a leading TARDIS team made up solely of people of color. Gatwa and Sethu acknowledged the importance of this, not just for themselves, but for audiences worldwide who see themselves reflected in these roles for the first time. They emphasized how they strive to focus on creative freedom rather than the pressure of being trailblazers, allowing their performances to speak for themselves.

“ We just both had this moment where I was like, look at us! Look at us! It meant a huge amount,” Sethu said when explaining how they realized that early on. Sethu also shared that she has received messages from fans globally, expressing what it means to see a diverse Doctor Who team on screen. 

Themes of Lose and Hope

Disney+/BBC Doctor Who

Beyond representation, this season of Doctor Who explores significant themes such as loss, survival, and hope. As a character who has suffered immense personal losses, the Doctor’s emotional depth is a crucial aspect of his identity. The show continues to highlight the importance of resilience, understanding, and the power of human (and Time Lord) connection. The actors noted how this theme resonates throughout the season, giving weight to the emotional stakes of their journey. “ It's quite rare to have a show, that's like the real message behind each episode is hope and upliftment,” said Gatwa.

With its ever changing cast, accessible storytelling and commitment to representation, Doctor Who is proving once again why it remains one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises of all time. This season not only promises exciting new faces and places, but also fosters a sense of belonging for fans who want to see themselves in the Whoniverse. As the TARDIS hurtles into the future, one thing is clear—this is a new golden era for Doctor Who, one where inclusivity, creativity, and powerful storytelling take center stage.

Doctor Who returns on Saturday April 12th with ‘The Robot Revolution’, available on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK and Disney+ where available.

Don’t miss our weekly reviews of the second season of Doctor Who, on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.