First look at Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who season 2 confirms the return of Millie Gibson and introduces a new companion too

Doctor Who
(Image credit: BBC)

The BBC has shared a first look at Doctor Who season 2 – and the Doctor has not one, but two companions.

Despite previous reports of her exit from the series, the first look photos confirm the return of new companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson. The Mirror first reported that Gibson would appear in the first three episodes of season 2 before tossing the baton to Varada Sethu, with Variety confirming Gibson's exit shortly after. The BBC and showrunner Russell T Davies, however, have confirmed that Sethu will star alongside both Ncuti Gatwa and Gibson – and that the trio will embark on an adventure together with season 2 airing in 2025.

Sethu is perhaps best known for starring as Cinta Kaz in the Disney Plus Star Wars series Andor, as well as Jurassic World Dominion, Annika, and Strike Back.

"I feel like the luckiest person in the world. It is such an honour to be a part of the Whoniverse, and I'm so grateful to the whole Doctor Who family – because that is what they are – for welcoming me with open arms and making me feel so at home," Sethu said in a statement. "I couldn't ask for a better team than Ncuti and Millie to be on this adventure with, this is SO much fun!"

"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," Davies 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

(Image credit: BBC)

Doctor Who season 1 will premiere simultaneously on BBC iPlayer BBC One on May 11 with the first two episodes in tow and the remaining episodes airing weekly. Outside the UK, season 1 is set to hit Disney Plus on May 10. For more, check out our list of the best new TV shows coming your way in 2024 and beyond.

Lauren Milici
Senior Writer, Tv & Film

Lauren Milici is a Senior Entertainment Writer for 12DOVE currently based in the Midwest. She previously reported on breaking news for The Independent's Indy100 and created TV and film listicles for Ranker. Her work has been published in Fandom, Nerdist, Paste Magazine, Vulture, PopSugar, Fangoria, and more.

Read more
Doctor Who
Doctor Who season 2: Release date, cast, and everything we know about Ncuti Gatwa’s next season
Anita Dobson as Mrs. Flood in Doctor Who
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2's "scariest episode" and a "big surprise" from the mysterious Mrs Flood
Doctor Who season 2
Doctor Who season 2 reveals release date that's very soon after leak – and announces an X-Men guest star
Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who
Doctor Who season 2 release date appears to have been announced via an online advert - and it’s sooner than expected
Varada Sethu and Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who season 2
The first full-length trailer for Doctor Who season 2 is here – and fans think they've spotted the mysterious Mrs. Flood
Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor in Doctor Who
Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting "I didn't quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on"
Latest in Sci-Fi Shows
Alien Earth teaser
New Alien: Earth teaser introduces us to new cast members and the cutest little cat – and if a Xenomorph eats it, I will be furious
The Last of Us
The Last of Us season 2 is giving a game character the Bill and Frank treatment – and he's so deep-cut you might barely remember him
The Last of Us season 2 first look
Pedro Pascal says "beautiful" scene that made him want to join The Last of Us got cut, but it’ll thankfully appear in season 2: "He was like, ‘That’s half the reason I’m here!’"
Diego Luna in Andor
It looks like a key Star Wars event mentioned in Rebels will be shown in Andor season 2
Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who season 2
Doctor Who fans think they've spotted a tease for surprise villains in new season 2 trailer
The Xenomorph in Alien: Earth
New look at Alien: Earth has fans theorizing over whether they can hear a Predator in the background
Latest in News
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
The Witcher 4 devs explain how Ciri's fighting style will differ from Geralt's: "He's nimble, but he feels like a block...she's liquid"
Challenging The Manacle in Balatro, which limits hand size by -1 and playing two Jacks
From "I stopped working on the project entirely" to "we are so back," Balatro creator says the roguelike's development was always about passion and taking breaks was essential
InZOI screenshot from creation studio demo which depicts a shockingly realistic character model rendered in Unreal Engine 5
The director behind The Sims competitor InZOI spent 20 years making MMOs, but he ditched the massive RPGs after playing life sims with his son
Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2
True to the anime, Stardew Valley's hottest mod adds two romanceable Demon Slayer dudes who are both "rude and standoffish" at first
A group of Men wearing armour during the TV show, Vikings.
Vikings creator is heading back to his Norse roots with this new historical drama on Amazon
Balatro screenshot showing an assortment of joker cards
Balatro creator intentionally avoided roguelikes but did eventually play and "steal from" Slay the Spire anyway: "Holy s***. Now that is a game"