Now that little-known actor Matt Smith has been confirmed as the 11th Doctor, there's been plenty of talk about what's in store for Doctor Who.<\/p>
But who'll be joining the Doctor in the Tardis? We take a look at the candidates.<\/p>","url":"2009/1/5/BBC-Doctor-Who-New-Doctor-Matt-Smith-Wk-2-Jan09-11.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Matt Smith"},{"captionHeading":"Hannah Murray","caption":"
Skins star Hannah Murray is the latest actress to be tipped as the Doctor's companion.<\/p>
Hannah, who played Cassie in the first two series of the Channel 4 teen drama, is reported to be in secret talks with show bosses about the role.<\/p>
A BBC insider told the News Of The World: \"Hannah did some challenging stuff in Skins and they see her as an up-and-comer.\"<\/p>","url":"2009/3/11/BBC-Doctor-Who-Skins-actress-Hannah-Murray-is-in-the-running-for-new-companion-Wk-11-Mar09-5.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Hannah Murray"},{"captionHeading":"Lindsay Duncan","caption":"
Acclaimed actress Lindsay will join David Tennant for the second of 2009's Doctor Who specials.<\/p>
But could her character Adelaide - apparently the Doctor's cleverest and most strong minded companion yet - become a permenant fixture in the Tardis?<\/p>","url":"2009/2/19/News-BBC-Doctor-Whos-New-Companion-Lindsay-Duncan-Wk-8-Feb09-2.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Lindsay Duncan"},{"captionHeading":"Kimberley Nixon","caption":"
Cranford star Kimberley has admitted being \"keen\" on the prized role, causing bookies to slash the odds in her favour.<\/p>
The actress told the Daily Star: \"Well, the studios are right next to my home in Pontypridd, so it'd be very handy. It would be lovely to be filming and be able to sleep in my own bed.<\/p>
\"Being in an action role would also be great. I've never done anything like that before.\"<\/p>","url":"2009/1/8/Feature-BBC-Doctor-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Kimberley-Nixon-Oct08-5.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Kimberley Nixon"},{"captionHeading":"Billie Piper","caption":"
Popular companion Rose Tyler made a surprise return to the Tardis this year, and ended up in an alternate dimension with a Doctor of her very own.<\/p>
The actress, who is currently expecting her first child, is reportedly undecided about whether to return to her role as Rose in the next series of the hit show but has said that motherhood will take priority over her career.<\/p>","url":"2008/6/16/BBC-Doctor-Who-Wk-26-Ep-11-Turn-Left-Jun08-11.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Doctor Who: Billie Piper as Rose Tyler"},{"captionHeading":"Michelle Ryan","caption":"
Michelle apparently auditioned to replace Billie Piper as the Doctor's companion in 2007, however, Freema Agyeman was ultimately chosen for the role.<\/p>
She's been given a second chance to star alongside David Tennant in the upcoming Easter special Planet Of The Dead, but will her character Lady Christina De Souza last?<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Michelle-Ryan-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"MichelleRyan_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Lily Allen","caption":"
Will Lily follow in her father's acting footsteps? According to reports, the singer could be in the running. <\/p>
Executive producer of the show, Piers Wenger recently told the Daily Telegraph: \"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.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/12/2/Feature-X-Factor-Simons-Replacement-Wk-49-Dec08-Gallery-5.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Lily Allen"},{"captionHeading":"John Barrowman","caption":"
John's a firm fixture in the Whoniverse, currently leading the gang at Torchwood. But it's well known that Captain Jack Harkness has a soft spot for the Doctor.<\/p>
Could his adventures lead him back to the Tardis?<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-John-Barrowman-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"John-Barrowman_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Carey Mulligan","caption":"
Carey made her Doctor Who debut in the award winning series three episode, Blink, as photographer Sally Sparrow.<\/p>
A fan favourite, there have been calls for show bosses to make Sally a firm fixture in the Tardis. No comment has been made by the Beeb, but as Sally was created by series five showrunner Steven Moffat, maybe she'll be back.<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Carey-Mulligan-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"CareyMulligan_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Freema Agyeman","caption":"
Series three companion Freema reprised the role of Martha Jones for five episodes of series four, but no mention has been made of a return for the character.<\/p>
Speculation had been rife that Martha would join the Torchwood team, but it has since been announced that the actress is set to star in ITV's remake of hit US crime show Law & Order. Does this mean no more Martha?<\/p>","url":"2008/7/1/BBC-Doctor-Who-Wk-28-Journeys-End-Jul08-8.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Doctor Who: Martha"},{"captionHeading":"Georgia Moffett","caption":"
Georgia originally auditioned for the part of Rose Tyler, but ultimately appeared this year as the Doctor's daughter Jenny. It was new show boss Steven Moffat who suggested that Jenny be brought back to life at the end of the episode, does this mean that Georgia will reprise her role in a more permanent capacity?<\/p>
Well, she'll definitely be returning for one of 2009's specials, but we'll have to wait for more details.<\/p>","url":"2008/5/19/BBC-Doctor-Who-Wk-19-Ep6-The-Doctors-Daughter-May08-2.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Doctor Who: Jenny"},{"captionHeading":"Alex Kingston","caption":"
Alex was cast in the 2008 episode, Silence In The Library, as Professor River Song - speculated to be a future companion / girlfriend / wife of the Doctor.<\/p>
The professor is another of Stephen Moffat's characters. The writer said at the time: \"This character is destined to play a major role in the Doctor's future.\" As his next companion, perhaps?<\/p>","url":"2008/5/29/A-Doctor-Who-Episode-8-Silence-In-The-Library-3.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Doctor Who: The Doctor, Professor River Song"},{"captionHeading":"Bernard Cribbins","caption":"
Bernard first appeared in the 2007 Christmas special, Voyage Of The Damned, and was later revealed to be Donna Noble's grandfather, Wilf.<\/p>
When the Doctor left Donna with her memory wiped, Wilf promised to look up at the sky every night and remember him on Donna's behalf. He's set to join the Doctor for a trip in the Tardis in 2009, but could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?<\/p>","url":"2008/6/16/BBC-Doctor-Who-Wk-26-Ep-11-Turn-Left-Jun08-3.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Doctor Who: Wilf"},{"captionHeading":"Catherine Tate","caption":"
When we last left Donna, her memory had been wiped with a dire warning from the Doctor that if she were to remember her travels with him it would mean her death. It has been confirmed, however that Catherine has been lined up for a comeback in 2009. <\/p>
A show source said: \"Anything can happen in Doctor Who. His assistants are always recurring and Donna is no exception. When you're a Time Lord you can go back to any point in history and meet whoever you want.\" Maybe there's hope for Donna yet.<\/p>","url":"2008/5/19/BBC-Doctor-Who-Wk-15-Ep1-Partners-In-Crime-Apr08-2.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Doctor Who: The Doctor and Donna"},{"captionHeading":"Catherine Zeta Jones","caption":"
Russell T. Davies has revealed that if a Doctor Who movie were to be made, he'd want Welsh star Catherine Zeta-Jones to play The Doctor's assistant.<\/p>
He said: \"Being from Wales myself, I would love to have Catherine Zeta-Jones as a companion for The Doctor.\" Catherine hasn't commented.<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Catherine-Zeta-Jones-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"CatherineZetaJones_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Dervla Kirwan","caption":"
Irish actress Dervla will appear as Miss Hartigan in this year's Christmas special, The Next Doctor. This adventure, set in Victorian England, will see the return of the Cybermen and will feature a new mutant Cyberman called Cybershade.<\/p>
No further details about Dervla's character have been announced, but she could be one to watch.<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Dervla-Kirwan-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"DervlaKirwan_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Patrick Stewart","caption":"
Patrick Stewart has been confirmed as a guest star for one of 2009's specials. But the Star Trek actor won't be appearing as a companion. <\/p>
A BBC source revealed: \"Patrick's role is still being finalised but the plan is for him to play a renegade Time Lord called the Meddling Monk, who was last seen in Doctor Who in the 1960s. The Doctor thought his entire race was wiped out and gets a huge surprise to find another member of his species.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Patrick-Stewart-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Patrick Stewart"},{"captionHeading":"JK Rowling","caption":"
Russell T. Davies has revealed that JK \"politely declined\" the chance to write an episode, but also spoke about an episode idea in his book: \"BAM! I thought, don't ask J.K. to write a Doctor Who, ask her to be in a Doctor Who! Imagine it. J.K.'s imagination becomes real! The Doctor arrives and has to battle through a world of witches and wizards.\" <\/p>
It was not to be, however. Russell revealed that David Tennant vetoed the idea. Could he be persuaded?<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-JK-Rowling-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"JKRowling_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Elisabeth Sladen","caption":"
Since being a series regular in the 1970s, Elisabeth has returned on several occasions, most recently her character Sarah Jane Smith helped to destroy the Daleks in the season four finale.<\/p>
But sadly Elisabeth feels that she won't return to the show. The actress told Doctor Who Magazine: \"I said to David: 'I've never thought this before, but I think this is the last time I'll be here'. It felt like it was my last time on Doctor Who. I'm happy with that, you have to stop somewhere.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/6/24/DrWho3Wk27Gallery.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Doctor Who: Cast"},{"captionHeading":"John Simm","caption":"
Last seen refusing to regenerate and dying in the Doctor's arms, John Simm is set to reprise his role as the Master next year. <\/p>
But how will he return? Could the figure fingering the Master’s ring after his funeral provide the key? Either way, we doubt the Doctor will be welcoming his arch enemy back into the Tardis with open arms.<\/p>","url":"2008/10/6/BBC-Doctor-Who-John-Simm-The-Master-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"JohnSimms_TheMaster_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Rachel Stevens","caption":"
Strictly contestant Rachel was pipped at the post for the part of Rose by Billie Piper when the Dr Who revival was originally cast. The singer has since said: \"Things happen for a reason. If the right thing came around I'd love to do something.\"<\/p>
Could Rach be next to enter the Tardis?<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Rachel-Stevens-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"RachelStevens_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Jessica Hynes","caption":"
Jessica guest starred as the Doctor's girlfriend Joan Redfern in the 2007 episodes Human Nature and The Family of Blood. In an alternate future she became his wife, the mother of their two children, and grew old with him.<\/p>
But sadly, the romance was not to be. The Doctor got his memory back, and Joan decided she was in love with the human Doctor, rather than the Time Lord. Might she change her mind?<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Jessica-Hynes-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"JessicaHynes_Gallery"},{"captionHeading":"Noel Clarke","caption":"
The series four finale left open the possibility of Noel's character Mickey Smith going to work for Torchwood 3 during its third season, but there has been no indication that he'll appear.<\/p>
Could he be returning to the Tardis instead?<\/p>","url":"2008/10/8/BBC-Doctor-Who-Whos-The-Doctors-Next-Companion-Noel-Clarke-Oct08.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"NoelClarke_Gallery"}];