As memorable as the many Doctors and as unforgettable as the Tardis, the companions of the Doctor often make for the cornerstone of a high-quality series. The first companion of the revived Doctor Who (2005-), Rose Tyler (played by Billie Piper) was every-bit an every-woman for a newfangled generation. In many ways Rose was a substitute for the audience in her companion role – a way to encourage and engage new and old Whovians alike, welcoming both to the newly relaunched ‘Whoniverse’ and the many adventures that were soon to unfold under Russell T. Davies’ vision.
It’s not hard to see why, for many dedicated Whovians, Rose is easily the best companion of the revived series. As a character, Rose is instantly relatable to a younger audience, being a teenage shop-assistant, living with her mum and having a deadbeat boyfriend (Sorry Mickey!) It is only through the Doctor’s magic that she is given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the universe, travelling alongside the Doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston and later, David Tennant. Along the way Rose, and the audience, fall in love with not just the Doctor, but his lifestyle and care-free attitude.
In Rose, the Doctor found a person he could rely on, and we, the audience, found someone that allowed the Doctor to develop as a character; someone he could connect with on a much deeper, romantic level than the simple Doctor-companion relationships of previous cohorts. In many instances, Rose takes charge when the Doctor has fallen and she ends up being the deciding factor in many stories – for instance, taking the entire time vortex into herself in ‘The Parting of the Ways’ and saving the entire world!
After being tragically separated from the Doctor in ‘Doomsday’, Rose goes through a massive character change, becoming much more independent and is soon back to save the world once again. Her determination, wit and heroic characteristics easily make her one of the most popular companions. It’s often said that a Doctor and his stories are only as good as the companions that he adventures with – and Rose was the perfect stand-in for the audience, questioning the Doctor on his decisions and holding him to account.
Fast-forward to 2024, we have a new Doctor in Ncuti Gatwa, returning screenwriter Russel T. Davies and a new companion in Ruby Sunday, played by actress Millie Gibson. It’s not hard to immediately make comparisons between the two female-leads, with both women instantly being drawn to the Doctor like a moth to a flame – but can lightning truly strike twice? Will Ruby Sunday offer a new audience the same insight as Rose Tyler did back in 2005?
The Fifteenth Doctor’s companion was first introduced in the Christmas special ‘The Church on Ruby Road’; a well-received affair from both the public and critics alike. During the episode we see Ruby being abandoned by her mother, and, upon meeting the Doctor on her nineteenth birthday, going on to prevent the kidnapping and abduction of babies from all over the world! Quite a substantial amount of character to be introduced in one episode and it simply raises the question – who IS Ruby Sunday? Who was her mother? And what lasting effect will she have on Ncuti Gatwa’s new Doctor?
Whatever the future for Doctor Who is, it certainly looks like Ruby Sunday will have a very intriguing journey on the show. Nevertheless, only time will tell as to whether she can follow in Rose’s footsteps, being such a draw that she welcomes back new and old viewers to the Whoniverse going forward…
What do you think? Is Ruby Sunday up to the task of welcoming in a whole new generation of Whovians?
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Catch the new series of Doctor Who on May 11th on BBC.
