Entertainment
Doctor Who ‘eyes up Sex Education star Tanya Reynolds’ as new companion: ‘She’d be a unique sidekick’
Sex Education star Tanya Reynolds could end up travelling across space and time in Doctor Who (Picture: Netflix)
Doctor Who is reportedly looking to Netflix’s hit series Sex Education for a new companion, with Lily Inglehart star Tanya Reynolds now tipped to join up with the Doctor.
It’s all change as the BBC One series approaches its 60th anniversary in 2023, with Thirteenth Doctor star Jodie Whittaker bowing out after the next set of episodes, and Russell T. Davies returning as showrunner.
But while much talk so far has been on who might replace Whittaker as the Doctor, the series is now said to be looking for new companions to travel alongside the next Time Lord.
According to The Sun, Reynolds, 30, who plays bisexual and fantasy-obsessed teen Lily on Sex Education, is thought to be being considered for a companion role.
A source told the publication: ‘If Tanya became the Doctor’s new companion, she’d be a unique sidekick in comparison to the likes of Billie Piper or Jenna Colman.
‘But that’s the whole point of the reinvented Doctor Who – they want to create a very different version of the time-travelling adventures.
Whittaker’s Doctor was joined by Mandip Gill and John Bishop last time around (Picture: BBC Studios/James Pardon)
Reynolds plays the fantasy-loving Lily in Sex Education (Picture: Netflix)
The insider went on to add: ‘Since they’re likely to be hiring a very different actor to play the time lord it makes sense to select an unusual companion for them.
‘But it will be a dilemma for Tanya, who may end up taking a lesser role on the cast because she knows that being a companion can be just as long a commitment as playing the Doctor.’
The question remains over who could be taking over from Whittaker, 39 after she leaves her role following an upcoming set of special episodes in the spring.
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Favourites so far include It’s A Sin cast members Omari Douglas and Lydia West, who both worked with returning writer Davies on the Channel 4 show.
Whittaker previously weighed in on who she’d like as her replacement when chatting to told Jordan North and Vick Hope during The BBC Radio 1 Breakfast show late last year.
She said: ‘If we had the power to choose… I’m going to pick an actress who I think is really exciting and I think would be phenomenal, an actress called Lydia West.’
One person who has seemingly ruled himself out, however, is This Is Going To Hurt star Ben Whishaw.
The actor, 41, was intent on putting the rumours to bed once and for all during an appearance on Lorraine earlier this month.
More: BBC
He said: ‘I’m definitely not Doctor Who. I haven’t auditioned for Doctor Who.’
So, it looks like we’ll have to wait for a little bit longer yet to find out who’ll be stepping into that Tardis…
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
Doctor Who returns later this year to BBC One.
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