This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
*The TARDIS is gearing up for another thrilling journey as “Doctor Who” returns for its highly anticipated second season under showrunner Russell T Davies.
Streaming Saturday, April 12 at 12:00am PT/3:00pm ET on Disney+ (where available) and simultaneously on BBC iPlayer in the U.K., this season promises to take fans on a wild ride through time and space. Leading the charge are Ncuti Gatwa as “the Fifteenth Doctor” and newcomer Varada Sethu as new companion Belinda Chandra, who join forces in an epic quest fraught with mystery, danger, and unexpected twists.
Produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for Disney Branded Television and BBC, the new season sees the Doctor and Belinda embarking on a mission to get her back to Earth, only to be thwarted by a mysterious force. As the TARDIS team confronts greater dangers, bigger enemies, and wilder terrors than ever before, this season is poised to deliver the signature “Doctor Who” blend of heart, humor, and high stakes. Executive producers Phil Collinson, Joel Collins, Julie Gardner, and Jane Tranter join Davies in bringing this ambitious vision to life.
Watch the thrilling Season 2 trailer below.
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In an exclusive interview with Gatwa and Sethu, the stars teased tantalizing hints about what fans can expect from this new chapter.
A Fresh Dynamic and a Mysterious Force
Gatwa, who made history as the first Black male Doctor, is relishing his time in the TARDIS. He noted the return of the enigmatic Mrs. Flood, a character whose presence continues to baffle both the Doctor and viewers alike.
“We’re all trying to figure out what’s going on there,” he said. But the real excitement, he emphasized, comes from the arrival of Belinda Chandra, played by Sethu. “This season I love so much because Belinda and the Doctor are on such an equal footing,” Gatwa explained. “The goal of getting Belinda home—we were unable to get back to Earth, and we have no idea why. So it just creates this real partnership, this partner dynamic, which I don’t think we’ve seen quite like that before.”
That partnership will be tested by forces beyond their comprehension, setting the stage for a season packed with action, comedy, and jaw-dropping moments.
Meet Belinda Chandra: A Companion with Grit
Sethu’s Belinda Chandra is no ordinary companion. An A&E nurse accustomed to high-stakes crises, Belinda brings a unique blend of compassion and resolve to the TARDIS.
“My favorite thing about Belinda is that she’s not afraid to stand up to [the Doctor],” Sethu shared. “She holds him accountable.”
Drawing from her professional experience, Belinda navigates the chaos of time travel with quick decision-making and unshakable boundaries—qualities that evolve as she faces the Doctor’s world of wonder and peril. Sethu hinted at Belinda’s strength shining through from the very start.
“You kind of see it in her a little bit when she’s very young, where she stands up for herself, up against her boyfriend in the first episode,” she said. “I love that you see the evolution of that and how that plays into her job and then how those strengths evolve to then join in the TARDIS as well.”
It’s a dynamic that promises to challenge and complement the Doctor in equal measure, adding a fresh layer to the show’s legacy of memorable companions.
A Historic Role, A Universal Story
For Gatwa, stepping into the Doctor’s shoes has been both a personal and professional milestone. Reflecting on his historic casting, he said, “It has felt like an honour, an absolute honour to get to play this role.” As an actor, he revels in the rich material provided by Davies and the show’s storied history. “It’s a great role that’s got amazing writing, and has been written by some brilliant [writers], and it’s got so much to get your teeth into,” he noted.
Yet Gatwa is mindful of the broader significance of his casting, following Jo Martin’s groundbreaking turn as the first Black Doctor in 2020. “It was never a role that I thought I was going to get, because it’s so quintessentially British,” he admitted. “But at the same time, I want to walk through it with the freedom of it not being a weight.”
Looking ahead, he expressed hope for a future where such casting decisions are commonplace.
“I do look forward to the day when these sort of casting decisions—you don’t even bat an eyelid at them,” he said. “It’s very normal that we have people represented and casting shows that reflect our society, where everyone’s in.”
What Lies Ahead
With its premiere just days away, “Doctor Who” Season 2 is shaping up to be a rollercoaster of emotion and spectacle. From the Doctor and Belinda’s partnership to the tantalizing mystery of Mrs. Flood’s return, this season promises to push the boundaries of the beloved series.
Watch our full conversation with Ncuti and Varada via the clip below.
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