Doctor Who Confirms Ncuti Gatwa’s Shocking Third Companion!

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Caution: Upcoming discussion contains spoilers for Doctor Who season 15 episode 8 titled “The Reality War”. Contrary to what many might think, Ncuti Gatwa’s tenure as The Doctor in Doctor Who saw not just two main companions in Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday and Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra, but a third one as well. It’s worth noting that, much like the current era of Doctor Who, Gatwa’s incarnation often traveled with different characters. While it appeared that Belinda was Fifteen’s primary companion, both Ruby and another woman played crucial roles. There’s a chance that one of these companions might be overlooked.

Following my captivating debut towards the end of 2023’s “The Giggle” as the Doctor, I embarked on two additional Doctor Who specials and 16 regular episodes. While I was seldom spotted without a companion to journey with me, an intriguing conversation between my character and Conrad at the end of season 15’s episode 4, “Lucky Day,” hinted that for a brief period, my Doctor ventured alone. However, on almost every other occasion, I managed to find at least a temporary travel partner to aid me in my adventures. Two notable examples of this teamwork emerged in the year 2024’s “Joy to the World,” but only one of these companions can be considered an official member for that particular episode.

Anita’s Doctor Who Return Cemented Her As Ncuti Gatwa’s Third Companion

The Doctor couldn’t have saved the Earth without Anita’s help

Initially, Steph de Whalley made her debut in “Joy to the World” under the character name Anita Benn, who managed the Sandringham Hotel. In this setting, the Fourteenth Doctor found himself stuck for an entire year, thereby experiencing something akin to a normal lifestyle. During his stay, he formed a strong bond with Anita, although their time together did not involve the typical journeys of a Doctor and companion. Instead, they engaged in conversations, played games, and shared meals, making it somewhat challenging to classify Anita as a traditional companion, despite her being an intriguing character.

In episode 8 of Doctor Who season 15, titled “The Reality War,” Anita swiftly reappears in the narrative, saving the Doctor as a friend and the manager of the Time Hotel situated in the 41st century. Despite her advanced pregnancy, she wasn’t able to participate directly in UNIT’s battle against the two Ranis, portrayed by Archie Panjabi and Anita Dobson. However, her role was crucial to the heroes’ ultimate triumph. Utilizing the Time Hotel’s unique ability to access real time, they effectively counteracted the influence of the Wish at UNIT Headquarters.

In essence, the meeting between the Doctor and Anita was crucial, with Anita playing a significant part by keeping the door open during the fight. Additionally, it’s been hinted in “The Reality War” that Anita may have had romantic feelings for the Doctor while they were together on Earth, although he didn’t reciprocate these feelings. This theme of unrequited love is quite prevalent in the contemporary era of “Doctor Who”, with Freema Agyeman’s Martha Jones being a particularly notable example.

Why Anita Already Deserved To Be Considered A Doctor Who Companion

Anita spent more time with the Doctor than Ruby & Belinda did, probably even combined

It can be debated that there are several reasons why Anita might not appear to be a typical Doctor Who companion. Although she shares the trait of being from modern Earth, her actions in her first episode don’t suggest she belongs in the same league as characters like Ruby and Belinda. However, it seems likely that The Doctor (Fifteen) spent significantly more time with Anita than either of his main companions, Ruby or Belinda. Despite Ruby appearing in more episodes, Fifteen and Anita’s adventures felt brief compared to their tenure together, whereas the partnership between Fifteen and Ruby seemed fleeting despite Ruby’s extensive episode count.

In the story “Lucky Day,” Shreek’s adventure hinted at further unseen journeys for Ruby while she was with the Doctor, but I remain skeptical that she traveled through space and time for an entire year. As for Belinda, it seems every adventure she had with Fifteen was portrayed, which suggests her tenure on the TARDIS was limited to a few days at most. With Anita having spent significant time with the Doctor and saving the world in Doctor Who’s season 15 finale, it becomes more challenging to question her status as a companion.

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2025-06-05 01:58