Doctor Who, next companion?

[Bedlam]

Although it's a bit worrying that I havn't seen an official announcement it looks like Clara's time as a companion is over so presumably in the Christmas special or more likely next year we will be seeing a new companion (or companions for the Doctor).

Who do you think the next companion should be to fit with the Capaldi doctor?

Personally I think I'd like something distanced from a present day human, maybe an alien, or someone from the future or past. I know companions work as the audiences view of the Doctor but most of the 4th doctor's run managed using non present based companions.

I'd like a move away from the part time companion we've have for the last few years back to when the companion lived on the TARDIS most of the time rather than taking the odd day trip away, a cut down on seeing their social life, maybe have the companion have nothing to return to due to their home being destroyed in their introduction episode.

To fit with the Capaldi Doctor you need a strong willed companion who isn't going to be walked all over by him, maybe an older authority figure like Evelyn Smyth from the Big Finish Audios or some sort of equal to him more like Romana (although not necessarily a time lord, just someone with a similar level of capability).

Any other ideas?

[Havok]

As I said in one of the episode threads, I think a return of Jenni, the Doctor's "daughter" would be interesting. I think 12 would absolutely hate having his own child around, as well as another kinda Time Lord and it would be a fun dynamic.

Rusty would be an interesting one or two episode companion as well.

Really though, I am tired of the social aspect of the companion too. I get it, we relate through the companion, but every single one has dragged their family into "save the universe" time. Actually Clara has been pretty good when it comes to this thinking about it. Amy didn't have parents, so just here and Rory were pretty good as well with just Rory's dad towards the end.

I want someone that will challenge 12 more than anything, but not with companiony shit, but intelligence and snarkyness wise.

[Eternal_Freedom]

I would happily have Jenny along, or another Time Lord. Especially if the Doctor does actually find Gallifrey during the Christmas special or next season. Hell, I'd be really interested if they brought Susan back, since having an older Doctor would fit the grandfather-granddaughter dynamic better than, say, Tennant or Smith would have.

But basically, anyone (or anything) that isn't another present-day human. And especially not another "super-duper-mysterious will save the universe" character.

[Enigma]

I've mentioned before but I'd like to see Donna return. She can match wits and snark with Capaldi's Doctor or even surpass him.

[DaveJB]

And especially not another "super-duper-mysterious will save the universe" character.

The only NuWho companion we've had who doesn't fit that description, or otherwise have some superpower, was Martha (and Mickey, if you want to include him)! Which is really pretty bizarre when you consider that the companion is supposed to be the audience's identification character.

Unfortunately, I've got a horrible feeling that even with what happened in last night's episode, Clara's going to be sticking around for another year. If memory serves, Freema Agyeman was announced as the next companion between the two parts of the S2 finale, and Catherine Tate's permanent role as Donna was announced just after S3 finished airing. Considering that S9 will likely begin filming in the next few months, they're leaving it awfully late to announce a new companion.

[2000AD]

Spitballing:

- Since UNIT is popping up again, have them assign a liason to The Doctor, play up the tension seen this season of the Doctor as an officer mixing with a 'common soldier'.

- Give The Doctor a patient. Someone knows something vitally important (maybe clue to Gallifrey's location) but it's locked away somehow in their mind and they can't access it, only way to get in is to follow a trail of clues left across time and space.

- Give The Doctor a patient on a professional level. One of the independant time travelling bodies (like Cpt Jack's Time Agency or the robot pilots from Kill Hitler) has an agent start taking 'ends justify the means' routes to solve issues and doesnt care about collateral damage, to use an example from this series someone who would've nuked the moon without even thinking. They task The Doctor with mentoring them and we watch a clash of idealogies.

[SpottedKitty]

But basically, anyone (or anything) that isn't another present-day human.

What about a return appearance of Sister Hane, last seen in "Gridlock"? She'd certainly fit the "action girl" role...

[Bedlam]

But basically, anyone (or anything) that isn't another present-day human.

What about a return appearance of Sister Hane, last seen in "Gridlock"? She'd certainly fit the "action girl" role...

Personally I'd go or a new character rather than try to bring someone pack from previous seasons, I can also see that obvious non humans might cause problems although I'm sure some way to hide there features could be implemented (hologram projector, a disguise version of the psychic paper).

[Purple]

But basically, anyone (or anything) that isn't another present-day human.

What about a return appearance of Sister Hane, last seen in "Gridlock"? She'd certainly fit the "action girl" role...

Do you really want to pander to the catgirl crowd?

[Joun_Lord]

I'd like one of the Doctor's enemies to be companion. Someone like Dalek Caan, Dalek Clara, the "Good" Dalek or more recently the Cybermanned Danny Pink. Someone the Doctor may not be totally comfortable with but would challenge the Doctor to break old grudges and make him have to work to keep them on the path of good. Sorta of a reflection of himself this season where he doesn't know if he is a good man but atleast tries to be.

They could have a hologram projector like Bedlam above mentioned to hide their features to save on budget and to not have a Dalek walking (rolling) around central London anytime the Doctor pops in for a coffee.

Could make for some drama or comedy if they are still going with the "companions fall for the Doc" bit they had going earlier. Imagine Dalek Clara, still mentally a woman, pining for the Doctor but all the Doctor can see is a giant pepper shaker.

[The Romulan Republic]

I like some ideas here. A Dalek companion would be nice. I've felt for a long time that I would rather have had Dalek Clara than modern Clara for a companion. Jenny would be interesting. And while I don't think it will happen, Donna could have made an interesting companion for the Twelfth Doctor.

Mostly I just want a companion that doesn't fit the pattern of a young human woman from modern Earth.

[FaxModem1]

I'd prefer a Time Agent. The whole Time Agency thing was always rather underdeveloped, and needs to be expanded upon, and since this isn't Doctor Who, it's 'Companion's story, featuring the Doctor', we can at least get something interesting out of it.

Failing that, just have someone male. Since we're edging away from having romance between the Doctor and his companions, let's have someone male, since the males we've had on board have pretty much been love interests who evolved into main characters. Mickey, Captain Jack, Rory, and Danny Pink. They're all the love interests who stuck around and became interesting to follow. Let's see one from whole cloth, for once.

[Enigma]

I'd prefer that if Donna can't return, then bring back the TARDIS as Sexy. She can be his blue box AND tag a long when he has his adventures.

[Pelranius]

The Dalek sounds fun. Or someone from Earth's future.

[PREDATOR490]

Missy - It might actually help get more milage out of turning the master into a woman and the actor held up really nicely against Capaldi
Rusty - Two aliens that were former enemies helping Earth through time and space with massive different viewpoints on how... sounds like a great mix without any 'family' melodrama to go with it
Gwen Cooper - The status of Torchwood and the connection to Doctor Who has been lost for ages and it would be interesting to see some confirmation. Not to mention after Gwen Cooper's 'The Doctor must look back in shame' it would be hilarious to see her actually run around with Capaldi, especially given Capaldi's role in that situation.

The main issue is NuWho has taken all of it's companions follow the same submissive tied to the Doctor pattern. The only one that actually came close to being semi-competent was Martha Jones moving on to becoming a UNIT specialist which quickly got nuked into obscurity along with the rest of the military / soldier stuff.

[The Romulan Republic]

Martha is underrated, although I was very fond of Rory up until the horrible season seven.

[Havok]

How does Rose not qualify as being semi-competent?

Anyways:
Rose: Love interest of the Doctor
Martha: Fell for the Doctor, affection not returned
Donna: Pal
Amy: Close friend
Clara: Crush/Conscience

Those are the general roles that all the main companions have filled.

They've done a good job of not repeating anything so I expect none of those roles to be used again. It is interesting that Clara specifically mentions Jenni when trying to prove she is the Doctor. Perhaps some foreshadowing?

[Jaepheth]

I'll echo the recommendations for Jenni, timelord (could bring back Romana or have him find The Rani), or a 'good' dalek.

If they have to do another modern day human I'd like to see a non-brit: Canadian, American, Australian, etc. And preferably someone from academia (another mathematician would be fun, but I'm probably biased in that regard)

[Thanas]

How does Rose not qualify as being semi-competent?

Because predatornumbersjumble always hated Rose, remember the old Who threads here?

[Tychu]

I've been saying male for a long time. Since (I could be wrong) the next season will probably revolve around finding galifrey, can we have a non-earth human? The Doctor seemed to have companions not from Earth in the old series and it will give an old series feel.

[The Romulan Republic]

I wonder if they're going to have Gallifrey found in the Christmas special (maybe the coordinates are Santa's present to the Doctor) and have the next season be more Gallifrey-based, possibly including a Gallifreyan companion.

Well, probably not, but one can dream.

[jwl]

I think bringing in a historical figure as a companion might be interesting.

[Azazal]

I'm going to vote for the triumphant return of agent Canton. Though if I get to make the ultimate wish, can we have Canton and Rusty together?

[Havok]

Other than Donna, has there ever been a recast of a companion from a one off episode character?

[Havok]

Thinking about it more, I think I would like Jenni back in the Doctor's life, but not as THE companion.