Doctor Who's new companion has been a closely guarded secret, but it's finally out of the Tardis - Jenna-Louise Coleman is the latest young lady set to accompany the Timelord on his planet-saving adventures.
Coleman's new role was unveiled at a BBC press conference this morning, where the actress said she was a huge fan of the show, commenting: "I want to get started already."
She added: "Matt Smith did my audition with me. It was fun and I felt like we were in it together."
Asked who her show favourites were, she dug into recent archives, naming Karen Gillan, who is still in the show, and Billie Piper.
It's a big week for Coleman, as she also stars in Julian Fellowes' TV telling of Titanic, in which she plays Annie Desmond.
The 25-year-old actress was formerly in Emmerdale, where she appeared as lesbian Jasmine Thomas. Her CV also includes Waterloo Road, and the role of Connie in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Doctor Who's current companion Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan, is due to leave the show with an emotional exit later this year.
Matt Smith will continue to play the Doctor. He and Gillan were recently spotted filming scenes for the sci-fi show in Mexico and Spain, so we can expect some colourful episodes before Pond makes her final departure.
Series writer Steven Moffat was tight-lipped on the subject at last night's Royal Television Awards, saying only that he had got "who he wanted" for the role.
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Doctor Who's new companion has been a closely guarded secret, but it's finally out of the Tardis - Jenna-Louise Coleman is the latest young lady set to accompany the Timelord on his planet-saving adv...
Doctor Who's new companion has been a closely guarded secret, but it's finally out of the Tardis - Jenna-Louise Coleman is the latest young lady set to accompany the Timelord on his planet-saving adv...
NEW YORK -- Eleven-year-old John Payne has been a student of the Titanic since kindergarten. He has scrupulously researched the ship, built a model out...
She's an interesting and probably risky choice, it will depend how she is written I guess. I think I would have preferred a more unconventional choice, perhaps someone older or quirky, I feel there's a 'for the lads' motive behind Jennas selection. I love Karen but it took quite a while for Moffatt to establish Amy and for a while she was basically just a piece of eye candy with just enough humour to make you like her.
That said I'm pretty confident Jenna will do the role justice. I've only seen her in Waterloo Road, but she did a pretty solid job on that. She was very good at playing the bitch, and the victim. No doubt she's got talent.
Ben_Wilson: She's an interesting and probably risky choice, it will depend
She looks 16 . Until I read she is 25 . She definetely looks like a youngin' . They took a page from US TV shows , she has the looks the US audience favour. This needs to homogenize everything annoys me .
Pertwee, Baker and Eccleston rank as my all time favourite Doctors.
Tennant was OK and Matt Smith took a wee bit of getting used to but I've come to like him.
The Doctor/Pond dynamic has been more complicated than any of his previous companions, which oft times felt like more of a liability than a benefit to the storylines.
In any event, I'm willing to reserve judgement until the shows are out there.
Which, since we're across the pond, will be later rather than sooner.
Max_Load: Pertwee, Baker and Eccleston rank as my all time favourite
I really wanted to hate the show when Tennent left. In my head it was just not going to be the same. However after 20 minutes of the 1st Matt Smith episide, I was won over. Karen Gillen took a little longer, but by the end of their 1st series I could safely say they are my favourite doctor and companion! Sad to see her go, but so,so glad Matt is staying. I think the show relates to all generations. Some episodes may be a little confusing, but it hasen't stopped the hoard of kids watching has it. It's one of the most popular Brtish shows for a reason.
sami16: I really wanted to hate the show when Tennent left.
Surely they don't expect adults to view this 'gobbledegook'.It should be allocated to children's hour or similar.Perhaps they can spend our rip-off licence money on something more acceptable
Stanley_Austin: Surely they don't expect adults to view this 'gobbledegook'.It should
Many adults do, in fact, watch this 'gobbledegook', as you describe it. It is a family show, not a kid's show. Yes, it is unrealistic, but it is a fantasy program. I'm sure you only watch newsnight and question time, of course.
Ppenguinator: Many adults do, in fact, watch this 'gobbledegook', as you
A family show ?.It's no wonder that many children walk about with a false sense of security instead of facing up to reality.This 'gobbledegook' uses up a lot of their braincells,wasting their lives,going through their adolescent developing years,imagining fictiitious matter.Of course,It's everyone to their own way of raising children
Stanley_Austin: A family show ?.It's no wonder that many children walk
Shame you haven't seen Matt Smith in action, then, because he is really good. And I say that as someone who is a die-hard Tennant fan - I was expecting the show to go downhill when David T left, but quite the opposite has happened (though sometimes I have to ask the kids to explain quite what is happening in the plots!).
Morag_Gaherty: Shame you haven't seen Matt Smith in action, then, because
Yes, Matt Smith is good, but storylines are dire and, dare I say it, boring of late. I'm writing this as somebody who has been a fan since the early 70's.
mark333: Yes, Matt Smith is good, but storylines are dire and,
While I have my share of frustrations with Moffat's era, I have to disagree about Matt Smith. He hasn't engaged me as completely as Eccleston and Tennant but I think that's as often about the writing as it is about him. And as much as I disliked some of the stories in series 6, I thought he had some really good moments, especially the quiet ones, where he was able to show some nice range and more nuances to his frequently bombastic character.
As to the rest, I keep hanging in there as everyone does through their less favorite episodes or eras and hope for more of the stuff I like along the way.
beulah4: While I have my share of frustrations with Moffat's era,
I think the Amelia Pond character will be a big miss. She kind of anchored Matt Smith's 'dizziness'. I really liked the chemistry they developed too. 'Who' has always been the 'dumping ground' for unemployed actors from Light Entertainment. But give them a chance. I'm glad I did. Matt has really made it his own and I cannot wait for the new season.
gelatinelens: I think the Amelia Pond character will be a big
I am so disappointed in the whole thing now, everyone looks like they are just out of nappies, the storylines are too confusing for the younger kids who just love DW.
The last two Xmas specials have been such a let-down, what is happening? - it's lost it's way again, the viewer ratings had dropped by the mid-series last time......
and this girl is just another bit of eye-candy, how about a male? - an older person?......
pushmepullyou: I am so disappointed in the whole thing now, everyone
Yes - she's cute ... but why is this a news story? Are the Huffington Post going to write a story every time someone is given a supporting role in a TV series?
I gave up on the show when David Tennant left too. I also couldn't take to Matt Smith and Karen Gillan. I found them both irritating and the storylines lost because their ridiculous acting seemed to overshadow everything else. I've seen Jenna-Louise Coleman before and she is a very nice actress but I won't be watching it with Matt Smith still in it!
Enigma6: I gave up on the show when David Tennant left
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The Huffington Post UK | By Caroline Frost Posted: 21/03/2012 10:49 Updated: 22/03/2012 11:12