Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) is the only current companion character on “Doctor Who.” But that may soon change in the upcoming season.
BBC has announced that Samuel Anderson has joined the cast of “Doctor Who” as a recurring character to be introduced in the eighth season. Anderson’s character is Danny Pink, a teacher who works alongside Clara at Coal Hill School; one of the iconic locations of “Doctor Who.”
“For the fourth time in Doctor Who history, Coal Hill School is coming to the aid of the TARDIS,” said “Doctor Who” showrunner, Steven Moffat. “ In 1963 teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright accompanied the first Doctor. These days it’s the turn of Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald. And very soon now, Sam Anderson as Danny Pink will be entering the world of the Doctor. But how and why? Answers are coming later this year in Peter Capaldi’s first season of Doctor Who!”
Anderson added “I was so excited to join Doctor Who I wanted to jump and click my heels, but I was scared I might not come down before filming started! It’s a quintessential part of British culture and I can’t believe I’m part of it. It’s an honor to be able to work alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman and I can’t wait to show people how my character becomes involved with such a fantastic duo!”
The announcement stops short of calling Danny Pink a new companion for the Doctor, but the implication seems clear. Since the 2005 reboot, the Doctor has had only three male companions: Mickey Smith, Captain Jack Harkness and Rory Williams. Adam Mitchell doesn’t count.
Anderson is best known for appearing in the theatrical adaptation of The History Boys and several theatrical productions of the same story around the world, in addition to his stint on the British soap opera, “Emmerdale.” Anderson has also appeared in “Gavin & Stacey,” “Doctors” and “Casualty.”
“Doctor Who” Season 8 is currently in production, with a premiere date expected to come in Fall 2014.
