Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies has revealed a particular "challenge" with the show's new season.
The show is due to return for its 15th season next month, and will introduce new companion Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) as she joins Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor in the TARDIS.
Showrunner Davies has now explained to Doctor Who Magazine that Belinda is a "companion desperate to get home", much like former characters Ian Chesterton, Barbara Wright and Tegan Jovanka.
However, an unknown force is preventing her from returning home, meaning that the "essential" element of modern day Earth will not appear at all this season.
"Of course it means keeping the TARDIS away from modern-day Earth," Davies wrote (via Den of Geek). "Normally, I think you should keep revisiting the present day – it’s essential. So it’s been a real challenge to avoid it for an entire series."
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Teasing Belinda's aim of wanting to return home, the show boss further shared: "It gives Belinda something to spark up against the Doctor. She’s not in love with his life or with the TARDIS, but the whole thing works because of course she starts enjoying it.
"She thinks they’re wonderful, and eventually admits it. But it’s a different kind of buzz – it stretches different muscles. It’s a performance thing too. Janet Fielding did it brilliantly with Tegan."
Speaking last year about joining as Belinda, Varada said: "I feel like the luckiest person in the world. 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.
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"I couldn't ask for a better team than Ncuti and Millie to be on this adventure with, this is SO much fun!"
Ahead of Doctor Who's return in April, the show has recently been unveiling a number of guest stars, including Unforgotten's Charlie Condou, and Slow Horses' Kadiff Kirwan and Freddie Fox, as well as The Traitors US's Alan Cumming and presenter Rylan Clark.
Doctor Who returns on April 12 on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere. Classic episodes of Doctor Who are available on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
