Yahoo News BBC downplays Kris Marshall as Doctor Who companion
The BBC is walking back speculation that Kris Marshall will become the next Doctor Who companion.
The Love Actually star was at one time tipped in betting as a top contender to replace Peter Capaldi as the next Doctor, before Jodie Whittaker was confirmed by the BBC as the next denizen of the TARDIS.
Now, The Sun reports that Marshall is once again in the running to join the cast of Doctor Who - only now as the first-ever female Doctor's time-travelling companion rather than as the Time Lord.
Before you start whipping up your fan-fic, the BBC has poked holes in this rumour by insisting that absolutely no decisions have been made yet about casting Jodie Whittaker's companion.
Digital Spy has reached out for additional information from the BBC as well.
Marshall is fresh off his long-term starring role in Death in Paradise, having quit in the middle of the BBC One procedural drama's sixth series this past February.
Companion casting aside, Doctor Who has garnered plenty of headlines and social media chatter this week for casting Jodie Whittaker as the first female lead in the series's 54-year history.
While many fans and former Doctor Who stars of the series have praised the BBC's progressive choice, there have also been some very nasty sexist complaints from so-called fans.
The BBC leapt to Jodie Whittaker's defence, but it was the actress's own words that most effectively challenged those not willing to recognise the casting as a landmark for equality.
"I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender," she said when her casting was announced. "Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that's exciting about change."
Before Jodie takes control of the TARDIS, Peter Capaldi gets his own swansong opposite David Bradley as the First Doctor at Christmas on BBC One in the UK and BBC America in the US.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.
You Might Also Like
