Over the weekend, the BBC announced Doctor Who's next companion. Relative newcomer Pearl Mackie says she's excited too see cosplay of her character, “lots of running,” and to “bring a bit of attitude into the TARDIS.”
Mackie will join Peter Capaldi's 12th Doctor as a new character named Bill when the new season starts in 2017 (we'll get a Christmas Special this year, though). “I don't think I've really taken it all in,” says Mackie of her super cool new gig in space and time.
In a press release Mackie said:
Peter Capaldi is such a brilliant actor, and his Doctor is such a wacky and wonderful character, I can”t wait to see what adventures are in store for him and Bill throughout time and space. Reading the script at the audition I thought Bill was wicked. Fantastically written, cool, strong, sharp, a little bit vulnerable with a bit of geekiness thrown in – I can”t wait to bring her to life, and to see how she develops through the series. I always loved stage combat at drama school so I can”t wait to get on set and kick some evil monsters into the next dimension!
The BBC also put up a brief interview with the Brixton actor.
When asked about cosplay Mackie said, “I don't know, man! More people in the world with afros, though. That's always good, innit?” Heck yeah, it is! Doctor Who fans are very excited the casting went the diverse route this time, allowing some of them to see themselves in the character immediately.
The face of someone excited the new Doctor Who companion looks like her. #Bill #DoctorWho #RepresentationMatters pic.twitter.com/nbieL2Ko1q
– Connie Zor-El(ly) (@ConStar24) April 23, 2016
And for interested cosplaying parties, this behind-the-scenes video of Mackie and Capaldi's photoshoot gives a good closeup of a few of her costume items. And if you've yet to watch her trailer debut, here that is.
Some are speculating Bill may from the 1980s thanks to her costume and the fact that the Doctor says they need to get back “to the future,” presumably referencing 2017 as her future. We won't know the answer for a while but what do you think?