Friday, September 2, 2016

10 Reasons to be Excited for Bill as the New Doctor Who Companion [Guest Poster: Stephanie Coats]


Even though we still have to wait until December for the Doctor Who Christmas special — and then until spring of 2017 for season 10 of the show to actually debut — there’s still plenty to get excited about. Most exciting of all is the debut of the new companion, Bill, played by Pearl Mackie. She’s already set to be a delightful addition to the TARDIS, and we have ten reasons why we’re looking forward to both the actress and the character she plays!


Pearl Mackie and Peter Capaldi already get on really well.

Every shred of evidence points to Capaldi being one of the nicest, sweetest people on the face of the planet. So it’s hardly a surprise he and Mackie get along. But the fact that they’ve already formed a cute bond is lovely. For proof of this bond, look no further than the footage of their promo photos and Mackie’s first day on set.

Bonus points to Mackie for seizing the opportunity to hang all over Capaldi. Because honestly, who wouldn’t?

Her wardrobe is on point.

Every companion, male and female, have had their own styles throughout the series of Doctor Who. And of course, as the times have changed, so have the clothes. But Bill’s wardrobe is a new kind of fabulous with colorful and sometimes eclectic pieces that perfectly straddle the border between modern and vintage. Bill’s attire is definitely a different direction from Clara’s chic, occasionally hipster, schoolteacher vibe and opens up an entirely new world for cosplayers.

She brings a touch of nostalgia back to the series.

The very first footage of Bill showed her in an outfit that was very reminiscent of the 80s. Even though Steven Moffat has confirmed she’s from the present day, there’s no denying that many of her costume pieces harken back to the 80s, and even the early 90s. The fact that Bill brings something nostalgic and vintage to Doctor Who is fascinating, and very different from the other companions on the series to date.

(Plus the possibility of this joke is really too good.)

Her name.

First, in regards to the actress herself, it must be said that “Peter & Pearl” makes a very nice alliterative tag for all of you Tumblr fans out there.

But there’s a lot of fun to get out the name “Bill” as well. It gives us the excuse to make “Bill and Twelve’s Excellent Adventures” a thing. The mystery of her last name, which has yet to be revealed, raises the idea that Bill may be related to a known character in the Who-niverse. Plus, there’s something special about a woman with a typically male name. Is it short for something like Wilhemnia? Were her parents just huge Billie Holiday fans?

Or maybe this touching fan theory is closer to the truth.


Her HAIR.

When Capaldi first started his run as the Doctor, he had shorter hair to accompany the dark and edgier aesthetic the show was trying to go for. But as his time in the TARDIS went on, his hair got longer and floofier by the season (and sometimes by the episode) until it was a mass of waves at points in season nine.

Pearl Mackie is already poised to match Capaldi’s ever-changing but always glorious coif, and frankly we couldn’t be happier about that. After all, besides time travel, hair is arguably one of the most important elements in Doctor Who. River Song will tell you that.

Pearl Mackie is adorable and funny.

Doctor Who is a British institution unlike anything else on television, so it’s really no big shock that anyone cast in any role would be a bit giddy with excitement. But that doesn’t mean we should overlook how adorable Pearl Mackie is and how excited she is to be a part of the Doctor Who universe. Just check out evidence of how much she geeks out about her role and the show (and life in general).


Pearl is super sweet to fans.

As filming on season 10 progresses, more and more fans have showed up to watch the on location filming. Both Capaldi and Mackie have happily signed autographs and taken pictures during breaks and at the end of their long days. Reports from fans paint Mackie as kind, generous, and delighted to meet them.

Bill’s sass level is A+.

It takes some out-of-the-universe sassiness to call a Dalek fat and question its chosen battle cry while, at the same time, running for your life from them. The Doctor needs to be sassed and often by his companions and has in the past. Being put in his place occasionally really helps keep his ego in check. Just ask Amy Pond. Or Donna Noble. Actually, I guess the latter might not remember what you're talking about...

(Too soon?)

Pearl Mackie can sing.

No, like, she can really sing. And we all know from previous experience (and knowledge that he was in a band) that Peter Capaldi can play guitar and sing as well. Give us a musical episode of Doctor Who already, writers! What more do we need to do in order to prove that it is warranted?! I mean, really, we just a John Barrowman cameo, at this point, right?


Pearl has Jenna Coleman’s blessing.

Not that any companion ever needs the blessing from their predecessor, but it’s certainly nice that Pearl Mackie has one as Bill from Clara Oswald's alter ego, Jenna Coleman. From the start, it was clear that Coleman was a huge backer of Mackie. She sent the new companion a beautiful bouquet of flowers her first day on set. She also had this to say. And honestly, we love seeing love and blessings passed down between Doctors and companions!

We’re so excited to see what Pearl Mackie brings to the Doctor Who universe when her companion debuts in the Christmas special, and hope that you are too! Sound off in the comments about what you’re most looking forward to about Bill as the new companion.

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