‘There’s Gonna Be Nods:’ Doctor Who Star Teases New Companion’s Connection To Past Character

Doctor Who star Varada Sethu has teased her new companion character Belinda Chandra’s connection to her previous role on the show. The actor previously played Anglican Army soldier Mundy Flynn in a Season 1 episode called “Boom.”

Sethu was announced as the Doctor’s new companion in April 2024. Speaking to Radio Times, the actor hinted at what fans can expect from Belinda. Although she confirmed that the character is separate from Mundy, the actor said there might be a few links. “It’s a completely different thing,” Sethu explained. “There’s gonna be nods, but it’s a completely different thing.”

The actor also hinted that Doctor Who fans can expect “everything [to be] new and exciting” when Belinda meets the Doctor in the upcoming season. “There aren’t many shows in the world where, you know, you get to play the same character, but in different times, different planets, completely different circumstances,” Sethu said. “It’s just been wild and so exciting. And I cannot wait for how it all comes out.”

This isn’t the first time Doctor Who cast members have appeared in multiple roles on the show. Freema Agyeman and Karen Gillan both had guest roles in the popular British series before joining full time as companions, Martha Jones and Amy Pond, respectively. Shortly after her casting in Doctor Who, Sethu dropped the first hints that there may be a connection between Belinda and Mundy.

“I’m so excited the world has finally met Mundy Flynn, it was such a joy to take my first spin in the Whoniverse!” she wrote. “I’m so grateful I get to come back for more, but you’ll all have to wait and see how that manifests in the new companion role.”

Russell T Davies previously offered high praise for Sethu, revealing that he’d been waiting for a chance to work with her in Doctor Who. “I first worked with Varada on a BBC production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it’s a joy to welcome her on board the TARDIS,” he said. “Right now in the studio, shooting for 2025, we’ve got Ncuti, Millie and Varada fighting side by side – we need all three, because the stakes are higher than ever!”

Doctor Who Returns for Season 2 in 2025

Fans can expect Millie Gibson to return as the 15th Doctor’s former companion Ruby Sunday in Season 2 as well. Viewers last saw Ruby leaving the TARDIS to reconnect with her biological mother. Anita Dobson will also be back as the mysterious Mrs Flood, with the actor recently confirming that a showdown is looming between Flood and the Doctor.

“I think she realizes that things are coming to a head, and she really needs to have her wits about her now,” she teased. “And so she’s beetling around doing what she does, but now with purpose, because she knows that the future is holding some kind of finale if you like. So yeah, I think she’s really focused, even though she’s ditzy, she’s focused. She knows what’s going on,” Dobson added.