Doctor whoBy Its very nature, is always evolving. It’s what has allowed the series to survive for 60 years of stories across its classic and revived ErasBut part of that evolution is also seeing what trends the show has explred in some ways before make a return. For the first time in a long while, Doctor who‘S latest team-up is one that the show hasn’t explred in quite some time, especially not in its modern age: a Companion who wants not getting more than to get back home, Away from all there.
That person is belinda chandra, played by Andor‘S Varada Sethu. She’s a young nurse who finds herself whisked up into the doctor’s life only to find it very differential for her to extricate herself from it in time for her next. “Belinda undersrstands the responsibility and, in some ways, the loss that enables her to not be whild or charmed by this creature,” Ncuti gatwa recently told io9 Over zoom of the changes His latest ally. “The Doctor’s Craving Connection. Belinda Wants to get home, he Wants to get home. The Challenge to Him is in terms of how charged [their relationship] is. “
“I think what I loved about their relationship was that they’re very much equals,” Sethu Added. “They both have main character energy – belinda has her own life, that she’s so desperate to get back to Doctor’s. ” But for as similar as that those values are, according to sethu, they will take at least a little bit of time to align.
“They’re both very selfless. They’re both very protective, of each other and the people that they care about and love -the love -ther core value is one that come from a place of love,” SETINUD. “But it takes a while for her to warm up to Him, because she’s not impressed by this .. i mean, I guess she’s impressed, She’s very Impressed. But she just wants to go back to her life, because she knows that where she belongs. “
“What i love is that she will Give it back to Him, “Sethu Teased.” They’re equals. “
For as different a dynamic belindnda might have with the doctor compared to the likes of ruby or his other recent companies, belinda isn’t perhaps quite so standofish as sethu Character, the Stealy Guerrilla Cinta Kaz in AndorSethu is set to return for Star wars Series’ sophomore final season This month, briefly running concurrently AlongSide Belinda’s Debut in Doctor who,
But for the actress, that’s part of Doctor who‘S appeal. “I think a big part of [what drew me to Belinda] was that she was so different, “Sethu reflected.” She’s so different from cinta, She’s so warm in comparison. I love so much within the sci-fi space-expresses the pun -of Doctor who You still get to experience so many genres. There’s comedy, there’s horror, thrilles, all sorts of plots and genres. “
“What i love about Doctor who Is that each episode is so different, Each season is different. I like that you get to experience so many different dimensions through one character. That’s what really appeared to me about belinda, and Doctor who As a whole. “
So belinda may not be robbing any imperial bases of their payrolls in Doctor who‘S Galaxy, but She does reparenging a challenging element to the doctor’s life. But it’s not just just belinda challenging the doctor this season, however – in many ways, the doctor is also challenging heimself, after the dual losses of both ruby in the climax of Last year’s seasonAnd then joy in the 2024 Christmas Special“I think he’s in a place where he’s Searching for Connection and He’s Constantly Curious,” Gatwa Said. “The Doctor Embodies Curiosity A Lot, So He He’s Searching for Something for Something – The Doctor’s Alays Been Searching. And he meets belinda and sort of, instantly… Ovesteps boundaries? SH stands up to him. Just teachers
“The Doctor’s Able to Live Quite an irresponsible life.
“He endangers people all the time!” Sethu interviewed.
“Like, Each episode you’ve almost Died!“Gatwa laughed.” Each episode. I think it’s just that [with Belinda]… I wanted to continue on a trafficory of exploring the doctor’s compassion and his curiosity, and just how his interpersonal relationships Developed Develop with Other People, Because A Always Thei’ves Been Quitee Quitee Quite And if companies die, or he loses them or he leaves them, he’s become emotionally distant with them. “
We’ll get to see just how much Doctor who‘S vibe has shifted with its new dynamic when the series returns to disney+ Around the world, and the bbc in the uk, on Saturday, April 12,
Want More IO9 News? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star warsand Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on Film and tvAnd everything you need to know about the future of Doctor who,