Science Fiction World

Doctor Who is back in September this year with head writer Steven Moffat guiding the show once more. Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill (Amy and Rory Pond) will leave and be replaced in the Christmas Special by newcomer Jenna-Louise Coleman.

Moffat spoke to Doctor Who Magazine, revealing that the new character will "shock", but there will be familiar elements.

"What is the base group of people who would run away with the Doctor? They're all going to be a bit mad. A bit dislocated. Not happy with where they are," he said. " Are they yearning for outer space? They're going to be people who feel like they can take on the Doctor, who's quite an intimidating sort of person. So, they're going to be feisty - they're going to be all those things. He sort of defines the people who are going to travel with him. The distinction comes very much from the various actors and actresses. So, you know, they're the ones who create the differences between them. But you are always going to have the same sort of person, just because it's the same man choosing them, and it's the same person being chosen."

When asked why the Doctor's companions are normally young women, Moffat said:

"I think the function of a companion is pretty simple. I don't think that's very difficult. It's just a question of who credibly is going to agree to go in the TARDIS? Who's going to do it? Is it going to be a mother of 15 children? No. Is it going to be someone in their 60s? No. Is there going to be a particular age range? I mean... who's going to have a crush on the Doctor? You know, come on! It's more than a format. It's evolved from good, dramatic reasons."

Let's hope the new season maintains the high production levels and that Matt Smith doesn't go anywhere (and skip the flat episodes please - there always seem to be a couple of dud ones every season).

Next year is Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary, so perhaps the BBC will film some type of anniversary special featuring previous Doctors too?