Toby Whithouse talks about new Doctor Who companion

Toby Whithouse has talked about the new companion to be introduced in the next series of Doctor Who.

Warning: May contain some spoilers

The seventh series of Doctor Who will introduce a new travelling companion for the Doctor (Matt Smith) following the departures of Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill). At the moment it is unknown how many episodes of the seventh series the two will appear in or in which episode the new companion will be introduced. Steven Moffat has promised a “heart breaking” exit for Rory and Amy and has said of the companion ‘the Doctor is going to meet someone very new in the very last place he could ever have expected..’

Writer Toby Whithouse, who will pen an episode (likely the third) of the seventh series, has discussed the new companion – revealing that show-runner Steven Moffat has revealed new details about the companion to him. Whithouse told the Hollywood Reporter ‘I know a bit about the new companion,  I don’t know who they cast….Even if I did, if I told you Steven Moffat would come out here and punch me in the neck.  Steven is one of the cleverest, most inventive people I’ve ever met in my life, and so you know it is in very safe hands with him. If he makes decisions, the chances are it’s for the best – it’s the best thing for the show.”

In another interview, with BBC America, Whithouse discussed his episode for the new episodes. He told BBC America ‘My episode is in a genre I’ve never written before — frankly, no one has written in that genre for quite a while now. But I absolutely love it. Steven gives me a one-line pitch, and then I’ll go away and put together a story and so on. And he gave me a great one-line pitch for this, so I’m really excited about it. Doctor Who is always a joy to write.’

Filming on the seventh series of Doctor Who began last week with three guest stars already confirmed; Sherlock actor Rupert Graves, and Harry Potter actors Mark Williams and David Bradley. Confirmed writers for the series, beside Toby Whithouse, are Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall who penned several episodes of Torchwood as well as the Who episodes 42 and The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood which re-introduced the Silurians. Rumoured writers include Mark Gatiss and John Fay who penned episodes of the Torchwood series’ Children of Earth & Miracle Day.

As filming has begun rumours about the new series have appeared in the press with reports that classic series monsters the Yeti and the Zygons are to appear while the Daily Express claimed yesterday that Benedict Cumberbatch would appear as The Master for the sci-fi’s 50th anniversary celebrations next year. Suprisingly though as yet there has been little speculation in the tabloid press as to whom producers will cast as the companion.