Whaaat. Didn’t expect this news to drop today. The BBC has just posted on their Doctor Who Blog that a new “recurring” character, Danny Pink (played by Samuel Anderson), will be coming to the show, via way of Coal Hill School (the same school Clara is currently occupied).


Samuel Anderson says, on joining the show:

‘I was so excited to join Doctor Who I wanted to jump and click my heels, but I was scared I might not come down before filming started! It’s a quintessential part of British culture and I can’t believe I’m part of it. It’s an honour to be able to work alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman and I can’t wait to show people how my character becomes involved with such a fantastic duo!’

Steven Moffat too chose to chime in:

‘For the fourth time in Doctor Who history, Coal Hill School is coming to the aid of the TARDIS. In 1963 teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright accompanied the First Doctor. These days it’s the turn of Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald. And very soon now, Sam Anderson as Danny Pink will be entering the world of the Doctor. But how and why? Answers are coming later this year in Peter Capaldi’s first series of Doctor Who!’

It seems only fitting that Coal Hill School be represented as a duo of teachers aiding the TARDIS crew (or comprising, rather) again. This is extremely exciting news, as many have been voicing their concerns that Clara won’t have that same chemistry with Capaldi as she had with Smith. This should help alleviate the role of sole companion. Also notable is that Steven Moffat makes mention that this is “Capaldi’s first series” of DW. Has he already signed on for more?

Filming recently began on episode 4 of the new series which will co-star Robert Goodman (Gangs of New York, Game of Thrones) and episode 5, co-starring Jonathan Bailey (Broadchurch, Groove High), and Pippa Bennett-Warner (The Smoke, Death in Paradise).

What do you guys think of the casting?? I can’t wait till series 8 so that we can finally get some new Doctor Who!