The new companion for Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who is set to be announced tonight during the BBC’s Children in Need fundraiser.

The casting of the next companion is set to be announced tonight, live on the BBC fundraiser, Children in Need. Whoever it is, will be joining the new 15^th incarnation of The Doctor, played by Sex Educations Ncuti Gatwa, when the show returns in 2024.

It’s unknown at this point if the companion role will be going to a fresh face, as has happened in the past with actors like Tosin Cole, who played Ryan Sinclair in season 11, or to a more recognisable face such as Bradley Walsh or Catherine Tate, who is set to return as Donna Noble next year.

Fans have been speculating as to who the new companion could be, ranging from Lydia West, who starred in Russel T. Davies ‘It’s a Sin’, and who herself was at one point was rumoured to be playing The Doctor after Whittaker, to other Sex Education alum; Patricia Allison. The strongest contender in the rumour mill being Rose Aylin-Ellis, who’s recent departure from Eastenders and subsequent following of Gatwa, Russell T. Davies (Showrunner) and Andy Pryor (casting director for Doctor Who) on Instagram has only stoked the idea that the former Strictly winner could be stepping into the TARDIS.

Gatwa is to take over the role from David Tennant, after Jodie Whittaker’s surprise regeneration into the familiar face earlier this year. With the shows 60^th anniversary specials airing in 2023. The four specials are set to air next year, seeing the return of both David Tennant and Catherine Tate, but also newcomers to the franchise, Yasmin Finney, playing a character called Rose, and Neil Patrick-Harris in a yet unknown villainous role.

Children in Need will air tonight, between 19:00 to 22:00.

Check back tonight for full information on the new companion casting announcement.

Writing: Kiefer Jones | Subbing: Charissa Halsey