New Assistant Casting

JP Liz

Source The Sun

Despite casting a relatively unknown actor as the new Doctor Who, it seems producers aren’t against having a famous face in the show.
Lily Allen has been named as a frontrunner to take over the role as the Time Lord’s assistant.

The BBC is reportedly keen to get a showbiz name in the new series to star alongside the eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith.

Executive producer Piers Wenger explained what he was looking for in a new assistant, saying: "Someone terribly exciting like Billie Piper, who was at the beginning of her acting career but who had a profile for other reasons, would be great.

“We are looking for someone whose light can burn brightly.We would never cast anyone on the basis of their celebrity, but if Lily wanted to audition we would be delighted. It would be a lot of fun."

The Smile singer was linked to the sought-after part in 2007 but lost out to Catherine Tate.

It’s also been reported that Strictly stars Rachel Stevens and Kelly Brook are interested in the role.

All terrible choices

Baron Floyd

Hmmm true.

did i not read an interview last week though where RTB was saying the Dr was going to travel without a sidekick? or was that just for Tenants 4 last episodes...dunno.

Stark

amatheum wrote: »

did i not read an interview last week though where RTB was saying the Dr was going to travel without a sidekick? or was that just for Tenants 4 last episodes...dunno.

That must be just for the specials I reckon. I can't imagine them changing the companion format for the long term.

ixoy

Hopefully just silly rumours right now - they're all terrible choices and stink of stunt casting rather than finding someone right for the role.

pixelburp

Haha, yeah I'm sorry but I don't believe any of those rumours, particularly as the media were convinced Patterson Joseph and co. were the front-runner for the role of the Doctor. Then we got Smith coming out of nowhere.
You'd think after all that they would have some sense & decency and say nothing about the companion role for now. Mind you, this is the same group of papers reporting Paul Daniels as a candidate for the 9th Doc role way back at the start.

All the same, I love the wording you get in those tabloid bullsh*t rumour articles; "It’s also been reported that Strictly stars Rachel Stevens and Kelly Brook are interested in the role".
Reported by who? I'd say every actor in the country is "interested" in a big name role, doesn't mean anything except they're interested. Hell, I'm interested, and more than willing to don a wig & dress to get the part

I also love that despite being 3 seasons ago come series 5, the tabloid can't get it out of their head that they only once hired an untried popstar as the companion & isn't a default assumption.

JP Liz

Michelle Ryan has entered "secret talks" to become Doctor Who's new assistant, according to a report today.

The Sunday Mirror claims that Ryan will join the Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith for the show's fifth series in 2010.

A source told the newspaper: "Michelle's been in secret talks with BBC bosses. They are likely to announce her as Doctor Who's new assistant very soon. She is perfect for the role.

"She is good-looking and the right age to star alongside Matt. Everyone agrees they look great together and reckon fans will think they're the perfect team too."

Ryan, 24, is best known for playing EastEnders' Zoe Slater from 2000 to 2005. She also had the lead part in NBC's short-lived Bionic Woman remake, which aired in 2007.

another bad choice

pixelburp

JP Liz wrote: »

another bad choice

"A source told the newspaper"

Ooh hoo! The mysterious "source" is at it again.

Doctor DooM

pixelburp wrote: »

"A source told the newspaper"

Ooh hoo! The mysterious "source" is at it again.

Probably heard it on podshock or something. "Hey, you know who I'd like to see as the new assistant?"

I don't trust anything til I see it on the beebs site anymore.

Tomk1

I think after the last non-actor they need someone that can act, most good Scifi actors usually star in fantasy roles/background. There is only one person I can think of, but she is probabilly too big a star now, thats Emma Watson.

pixelburp

SDooM wrote: »

Probably heard it on podshock or something. "Hey, you know who I'd like to see as the new assistant?"

I don't trust anything til I see it on the beebs site anymore.

I wouldn't mind, but we only have to look at the entire period of rumours and innuendo about the casting of the Doctor to see how we should take this reporting with massive pinches of sodium chloride. Have we learnt nothing from this people? About how wrong everyone got it?

Doctor DooM

pixelburp wrote: »

I wouldn't mind, but we only have to look at the entire period of rumours and innuendo about the casting of the Doctor to see how we should take this reporting with massive pinches of sodium chloride. Have we learnt nothing from this people? About how wrong everyone got it?

I have noticed an increase in my asking for links to check out things people have been reporting as gospel here.

eamon234

Bring back Sally Sparrow I say, she was sassy!;)

Wobbuffet

It looks as if Michelle Ryan has been cast in Doctor Who after all, as a character called Lady Christina De Souza, but not in the fifth season but for the Easter special, Planet Of The Dead. Lee Evans has also been cast as a character called Malcolm.

pixelburp

Well it's official, Michelle Ryan is in the show:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7844899.stm

Though there is no confirmation whether she's the new assistant for Doc 11 or not. With a name like "Lady Christina de Souza", the aristocratic element suggests she's not the assistant (though a headstrong posh type might be a good foil to a young brash Doc).

I'm on the fence as to the idea of Ryan as a companion; I know nothing of her acting ability (never watched the remade Bionic Woman), and could only comment on her appearance, and that works for me

ixoy

Her acting was savaged in 'The Bionic Woman' and rightly so. Still it only looks like she's in the specials so I'm not too concerned.

Ziggy_1972

I watched a few episodes of Bionic Woman, mainly because Starbuck was in it, but I had to stop, because it was just too bland.
They like to keep a sense of continuity on the show, so they could cast a previous character, perhaps Georgina as Jenny, or possibly Sally Sparrow or River Song.
I think it would be a mistake to cast somebody too famous, as it might distract from Matt.

JP Liz

Skins star Hannah Murray has been tipped to become Matt Smith's companion in the fifth series of Doctor Who.

Murray, who played Cassie in the first two series of the Channel 4 teen drama, is supposedly in secret talks with producers about the role, News Of The World reports.

A BBC insider said: "Hannah did some challenging stuff in Skins and they see her as an up-and-comer."

Other stars reportedly being considered for the role include Georgia Moffett, Lily Allen and Kelly Brook.

Russell T. Davies has confirmed that he does not want to "ruin anyone's chances" of being cast as the fifth series companion by using them in this year's specials.

Doctor DooM

JP Liz wrote: »

Skins star Hannah Murray has been tipped to become Matt Smith's companion in the fifth series of Doctor Who.

Murray, who played Cassie in the first two series of the Channel 4 teen drama, is supposedly in secret talks with producers about the role, News Of The World reports.

A BBC insider said: "Hannah did some challenging stuff in Skins and they see her as an up-and-comer."

Other stars reportedly being considered for the role include Georgia Moffett, Lily Allen and Kelly Brook.

Russell T. Davies has confirmed that he does not want to "ruin anyone's chances" of being cast as the fifth series companion by using them in this year's specials.

Meh. Whatever.

See rest of thread where everyone goes "don't believe it til the bbc say it"

pixelburp

Hey, I still don't believe Matt Smith's appointment, I'm still expecting Bill Nighy to come bounding onto the screen come 2010

JP Liz

21-year-old Karen Gillan has been named as the new companion for series five of Doctor Who.

The Scottish actress will star alongside Matt Smith, who takes over from David Tennant as The Doctor in series five of the long-running cult show.

"I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion," said Gillan. "The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it. Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him – I just can't wait to get started!"

Gillan previously appeared in Who as a soothsayer in the series four episode 'The Fires of Pompeii'. Her other credits include The Kevin Bishop Show, Rebus and Stacked.

Of Gillan's casting, new executive producer Steven Moffat said: "We saw some amazing actresses for this part, but when Karen came through the door the game was up. Funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy. Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it. A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too."

Rumoured contenders for the role of Matt Smith's assistant had included Lily Allen, Kelly Brook, Georgia Moffett and Skins star Hannah Murray.

Filming on the new series will begin in July for transmission around Easter 2010. Tennant's final episodes will air this Christmas.

2 unknowns cast for the leads