Doctor Who 'Empire of Death' spoilers follow.
The season finale of Doctor Who assures us that the Doctor will be back. The question of when is probably one for another day – since the answer doesn't get much more specific than 2025 – but the question of 'Who with?' is easier to answer.
The eighth episode sees Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor part ways with Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), although he assures her it isn't farewell forever.
"You, Ruby Sunday, I will see again," he tells her. "Because you changed me. You have made my life bigger and better."
So will that reunion come next season? There was some confusion over the matter earlier this year, when rumours emerged that Millie Gibson would not be continuing into the second season of Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who run.
However, the show subsequently announced that the Doctor will have not one, but two companions, with Varada Sethu joining the Doctor and Ruby when the next season returns in 2025. The show shared a picture of the trio laughing away on set.
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Of course, it's not the first time the Doctor has had two companions. Most recently, Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor was joined by both Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop) in the TARDIS.
Anyone who watched 'Boom' will know that we have already seen Sethu make her Who debut this season as an Ordained Anglican Marine named Mundy Flynn, who the Doctor left to look after orphaned Splice.
Showrunner Russell T Davies said: "I first worked with Varada on a BBC production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and it's a joy to welcome her onboard the Tardis."
Davies went on to explain that they were filming scenes for the upcoming season of Who with Gatwa "fighting side by side" with both Gibson and Sethu. "We need all three, because the stakes are higher than ever," said Davies.
When Sethu's casting was confirmed, she said she felt like "the luckiest person in the world".
Sethu added: "It is such an honour to be a part of the Whoniverse, and I’m so grateful to the whole Doctor Who family – because that is what they are – for welcoming me with open arms and making me feel so at home.
"I couldn't ask for a better team than Ncuti and Millie to be with on this adventure. This is so much fun."
And we've already seen Sethu filming scenes for the new season, with her and Gatwa being spotted dolled up in 1950s Americana garb. Although, they didn't look like they were enjoying the US cookout vibe while they were on the run, with panic-stricken looks on their faces.
We'll unfortunately have to wait until next year to see exactly what they're running from.
Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere.
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Previously Deputy TV Editor at Digital Spy and, before that, a TV Reporter at The Mirror, Rebecca can now be found crafting expert analysis of the TV landscape, when she's not talking on the BBC or Times Radio about everything from the latest season of Bridgerton or The White Lotus to whatever chaos is unfolding in the various Love Island villas. When she's not bingeing a boxset, in-the-wild sightings of Rebecca have included stints on the National TV Awards and BAFTAs red carpets, and post-match video explainers of the reality TV we're all watching.
