Doctor Who Stars Tease Epic Season 2: 'Cartoons, Eurovision and the Doctor's First Trip to Africa!'

Following her appearance in the third episode during Ncuti Gatwa’s debut season of “Doctor Who”, Varada Sethu thought that her stint on the renowned British science fiction show had concluded.

Sethu shares with EbMaster over Zoom, accompanied by Gatwa, that after leaving, she had a moment of regret thinking, “Oh, it’s too bad that opportunity is gone now.” Unbeknownst to her, she would return to the Cardiff set of the show in a short while. However, this time not as Mundy Flynn from Season 1, but as Belinda Chandra, the Doctor’s latest companion.

Gatwa was left speechless by Sethu’s performance,” he remarks, with Sethu having previously appeared in the “Star Wars” series on Disney+ titled “Andor” and the 2022 hit movie “Jurassic World Dominion.” Fans of Doctor Who will notice that her character Belinda is unlike any previous companion; rather than joining cheerfully for a ride in the TARDIS, she is focused on returning to her role as an emergency room nurse.

According to Sethu, Russell T Davies was seeking an actress for Belinda who could challenge the Doctor and keep pace with him in terms of energy and intellect. She should be bold enough to confront the Doctor if he oversteps a boundary, and it turned out that this role suited the situation perfectly.

Following her initial encounter with the Doctor in the Season 2 opener (airing on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ outside the U.K. this Saturday), Belinda finds herself unable to return home due to a problem within the Tardis. Instead, they embark on a series of journeys through time and space. Coming attractions involve an animated episode featuring Alan Cumming, a visit to the Interstellar Song Contest reminiscent of Eurovision with Graham Norton, and the Doctor’s inaugural trip to Africa. Additionally, Millie Gibson reprises her role as companion Ruby Sunday in subsequent episodes, although she doesn’t appear in the premiere.

In the conversation below, Gatwa and Sethu explore the dynamic between the Doctor and Belinda, hint at forthcoming episodes, and touch on speculations regarding the show’s future.

Or, more casually:

Gatwa and Sethu chat about how the Doctor gets along with Belinda, give sneak peeks of upcoming stories, and toss around theories about what’s next for the series.

Ncuti, how does it feel to be back in your second season as the Doctor?

Ncuti Gatwa: It’s as if I’m back where I belong. My character now fits me like a glove; I couldn’t wait to slip back into those roles. I was eager to discover where he would journey this season, how he would evolve, and what obstacles he would face. However, the excitement was intense because I felt more secure. The initial experience seemed slightly chaotic, but now I feel much more secure and at ease with it.

Varada, what was it like to get the call that you’d be joining “Doctor Who” as a companion?

I was pleasantly surprised to return! Last season, in the episode “Boom,” it felt like I had returned home. Being there made me feel like I belonged and everything seemed so effortless and cozy, like a warm and welcoming nest. After leaving, I thought my chance had passed, but here I am again!

NG: It was sad!

PS: When I received the news that I could return on a long-term basis, I was utterly astonished. My excitement knew no bounds as I looked forward to collaborating with you, Millie, and the rest of the team. That year was simply unforgettable.

NG: She just blew me away.

What do you think makes your characters work together so well?

In my perspective, it seems like our instant connection was key. During the meeting, Russell commended the on-screen chemistry. The role of Belinda required someone who could hold their own against the Doctor, someone capable of matching his intensity and challenging him when necessary, without fearing to confront him if he oversteps boundaries. It appears that Mundy Flynn fits this description perfectly from their first encounter, which might explain why everything seems to have fallen into place so effortlessly for us.

Varada, how did you develop the character of Belinda? Is she similar to you in any way?

PS: Russell played an instrumental role in the project, offering his support, involvement, and vision, which made him an essential guide for me when needed. As for creating Belinda’s character, I immersed myself wholeheartedly into it, pouring a lot of my own personality into her due to time constraints. I quickly grasped the role, and within a matter of weeks, I found myself on set. Consequently, it was up to me to complete the picture – to fill in the missing pieces.

NG: That’s a quick turnaround.

PS: The character that makes me feel most exposed is the one that’s most like me. As the season progressed, I began to understand her better and grasp her personality. However, in the first episode, my confusion and apprehension were very genuine – it was like being thrown into the deep end. I believe I’m a compassionate individual, and I see Belinda as having similar qualities. Moreover, I don’t shy away from confronting people when necessary.

NG: Strong, independent. She’s too humble to say it.

What was it like getting to know each other better on set? Do you have any favorite memories?

PS: It felt quite effortless. From the very beginning, I chose to share a tent with them (Millie included) and interacted with them instead of retreating to my personal green room. In other words, I opted to spend time with them rather than being on my own.

I’ve always cherished the mornings, like the one where we were casually studying “Scooby-Doo” for character development in Episode 2, as it has a Hanna Barbera aesthetic. Back then, we weren’t aware of this style and had to Google it to find out more. We simply sat back and enjoyed watching “Scooby-Doo” while creating these characters.

VS: We’re just kids.

We’re both navigating this “Doctor Who” chaos together, trying to make sense of it every day. It’s a delightful yet chaotic series, so we often find ourselves pondering, “How can we decipher this?” The Doctor and Belinda are similarly grappling with understanding the complexities of the universe. The first episode does an excellent job of introducing them because Belinda’s life responsibilities and frequent crises require the Doctor to take a backseat at times. In one instance, you even seem to shove him aside to attend to patients. You don’t need his assistance.

Ncuti, how did you want your version of the Doctor to evolve going into this season? We see in the first episode that he still wears his heart on his sleeve.

This version of the Doctor isn’t shy about showing his feelings, considering his long history in the universe filled with much sorrow and hardship. He carries the burden of losing loved ones, escaping genocide, and being the last of his kind, which casts a dark shadow over him. However, this incarnation seems to let go of some of that darkness. Since he has two hearts, I believe he feels emotions very strongly. In terms of this season’s narrative, Belinda encourages him to examine his personal relationships and emotional growth, helping him develop both individually and as a pair. Their relationship is central to the story being told this season.

We know Millie Gibson is also returning as Ruby Sunday. What can you tease about her role this season? How do you all work together as a trio?

VS: You might have to watch it. She’s part of the team.

Ruby hasn’t vanished; she’s very much present. In fact, she’s like the TARDIS crew, always ready to tackle major threats alongside us. We can’t reveal more details, but that’s the gist of it.

What are some of your favorite episodes still to come? What can you tease about them?

Let me tell you, the second episode was quite a challenge! We had to perform using a giant, flimsy cardboard stand-in that just wouldn’t stay upright.

VS: Oh my God. The arm would break.

In a surprising turn of events, AD pressed play on a sound clip, and out came the stunning portrayal by Alan Cummings that echoed powerfully. It was chilling. They were unsure about how they would vanquish a cartoon character in this episode – an unusual challenge indeed! Our costumes were quite thrilling; costume designer Pam Downe was at the helm once more, and she never disappoints. I’m eager for viewers to witness Episode 5, where The Doctor travels to Nigeria for the first time, marking the Tardis’ debut in Africa. Interestingly, this version of The Doctor finds safety there, despite being an alien himself – a paradox that intrigued me. So, chaos erupts when he arrives seeking refuge.

PS: I absolutely adored the “Interstellar Song Contest”. Rylan was simply outstanding, with his wit and brilliance shining through. The spectacle was beyond compare, boasting an array of elements that left me spellbound. Extravagant performances, alien costumes that were out of this world. This episode was a delight, as you could even encounter parrot-like beings in the catering tent during breakfast. It had a wonderful sense of humor, but also tackled serious themes and contained some surprising twists.

The rumor mill has been swirling about whether there will be a Season 3, since only two seasons were ordered. What can you say about that? Would you return?

Have you taken note of the items I just mentioned? Frankly, my mind is preoccupied with Season 2 due to its incredible quality. It’s quite amusing that in a series centered around time travel, we can’t discuss future episodes, but I can praise Season 2 and Varada’s exceptional performance within it.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

2025-04-12 22:17

Doctor Who Stars Tease Epic Season 2: ‘Cartoons, Eurovision and the Doctor’s First Trip to Africa!’