Newcomer Freema Agyeman is confirmed to play Martha Jones, the new companion to Doctor Who, it was announced today by Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning.
Doctor Who fans have already met Agyeman as Adeola in episode 12 of the current series of Doctor Who but, as viewers will have seen last Saturday evening, this character suffered a terrible fate at the hands of the Cybermen.
Freema will be playing a brand new character in series three.
Executive producer/writer Russell T Davies says: “The search for a new companion had been underway for some time when I first saw Freema Agyeman, she had come in to audition for the part of Adeola in series two.
“Watching her during filming confirmed what an exciting new talent she was, so under cover of darkness we called her back in to audition with David for the role of the new companion.
“It was an immediate and sensational combination, and her range, presence and charm blew us all away.
“David and Freema are terrific together, and we’re delighted to have chosen her to join the Doctor for more adventures in time and space.
“The first scripts have been written, and Martha’s a brilliant addition to the Tardis crew, the perfect foil for the Doctor.
“Martha won’t be featured in this year’s Christmas special; we’ve got another surprise in store for that.”
Freema Agyeman says: “I’ve been keeping this secret from my friends for months – it’s been driving me mad!
“Auditioning with David in secret down in Cardiff was unbelievable, but I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d actually become the new companion.
“Billie rightfully built up an amazing fan base and she will be missed, but I hope the fans are willing to go on new adventures with me.
“It still hasn’t quite sunk in, I’m sure it will slam home first day on set when I’m stood gazing at David Tennant!”
David Tennant adds: “Freema was a joy to work with in episode 12 of the current series. She is not only very talented and very beautiful, she’s great fun and I’m delighted she’s coming on board the TARDIS full time. “I can’t wait to welcome her into the Who family.”
Freema Agyeman is 27 years old and was born and brought up in London.
A new 13-part adventure and Christmas special begins filming in Cardiff in the summer for transmission on BBC ONE. Doctor Who is a BBC Wales production for BBC ONE.
(Thanks AB)
Yay! At least its not another gurning chav!
Okay, the article is good and all, but the title/headline/thing is just really bad form.
This is the sorta spoiler about the next season that I’d hoped to avoid, so imagine my mood when I looked at the Slice of SciFi newsfeed only to see that particular headline. Let’s just say that I was more than a little upset. You should probably do something about changing it to something less spoilery, like “New Info on Doctor Who series 3 *SPOILERS*”.
On a slightly off topic note (or not), I “caught a flight to the UK” the other day and saw Episode 12. I can see Freema playing the new companion. Granted, it wouldn’t (read: can’t) be the the same character, but I think her talents were shown well enough to get an idea of how she might do.
Also, no spoilers, but OMFG!!! Episode 12 has to be the best episode so far.
Not sure what’s spoiler about the headline. It is plastered all over the world press. Slice of SciFi was just there one minute after the BBC took the lock off of the story and we have printed THEIR story verbatim. Sorry if our scoop spoiled things for you, but in the news business it’s the early worm that gets the headline.
Im with Sam on this one, its the internet if you dont want ANY spoilers…stay off it. Its that simple.
Actually I wouldn’t call it too much of a spoiler either…..she had been rumored to be the new companion anyhow. And if it’s from an official press release…then ya can’t get upset with the Slice crew for posting it…get upset with the BBC for releasing the information in the first place.
“Im with Sam on this one, its the internet if you dont want ANY spoilers…stay off it. Its that simple.”
Not only that, if you don’t happen to know this, EVERYONE knew that Billie was leaving. Of course there’s going to be a new companion.
I read about it over on BBCs site. Then I saw it over here.
What’s to spoil?
*happy dance*
I was SOOO sad to see S2 E12, and thought, “well I guess she’s not gunna be the next companion…”
It would be bad form the have THIS on’es family and boyfriend all mixed up in the next two years worth of stories, but I do hope we get the same kind of devotion to her life that we got for Rose.
But what I REALLY want to see???
The TARDIS lands in Colonial America, Georgia, a few decades before the Civil War, and out pops the new companion, wondering why all the white chaps are looking at her so ravenously.
What would the Doctor do? Prolly start the Underground Railroad I guess…