Summary
SeveralDoctor Whostars have successfully returned to the franchise in different forms. One is open to reprising their role as a companion in a spin-off.
Doctor Whois known for bringing former actors back to the franchise in main series episodes, anniversary specials or spin-offs. The show’s time-traveling and regenerating nature makes this easy to pull off. For example, David Tennant, who portrayed the Tenth Doctor, returned to play the Fourteenth Doctor. Matt Smith, the Eleventh Doctor, also made a brief appearance inDeep Breath(2014) to pass the baton to Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor. Several other stars did the same by returning in new spin-offs, and one former companion was thrilled for the chance to do the same.
Mandip Gill, who portrayedYazmin “Yaz” Khan,a companion to the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), made his debut inDoctor WhoSeason 11’s debut episode “The Woman Who Fell to Earth.” She was part of the show from 2018 to 2022, appearing in 31 episodes and specials. Yaz is a former police officer from Sheffield who joins the Doctor on her travels. Gill recently appeared on theWe Started Herepodcast and was asked if she would return to the franchise or star in a spin-off if showrunner Russell T Davies asked her to. “Oh, a million per cent. I mean, I’m not even gonna let you finish the sentence, I’m so sorry,” she replied straight away. When asked if she wouldn’t think about it, Gill doubled down on her response, saying:
No, because the writing is so good. I just love it so much.
She recounted her time on the set and expressed how amazed she was with the stuff she found there. Recalling the experience only made her even more excited to return to theWhoniverse. “But the worlds that they create and the props and the sets… and we filmed in so many brilliant places. And everything that it’s done for me thereafter, I’m like, absolutely,” she continued. “Like, I wouldn’t even have to think about it. And especially if it was like a spin-off in a new world.” She also shared some thoughts about her character. Apparently, Gill wanted a transformation for Yaz. She said:
I don’t like my characters to stay the same. I like to see them going through a journey, and a lot of that journey that they go through is also me getting to know the character more.
Gill’s character Yaz was among the longest-running modern companions and there were a lot of unfinished storylines when she left in “The Power of the Doctor.” One of the things that fans were looking forward to being addressed is the romantic tension between her and the Thirteenth Doctor. ADoctor Whospin-offcould potentially explore that. Another potential plot is Yaz joining the other ex-companions and highlighting how they adjust to their life after their time with the Doctor. They can potentially face new alien threats or form friendships. Or she could use her police skills to track aliens or investigate threats on Earth. Gill could star in a gritty, detective-style series with Doctor Who-style adventures. These plots fit the Whoniverse spin-off strategy, focusing on the other parts of theDoctor Wholore. Hopefully, Gill will be given a chance to star in aDoctor Whospin-off.
