Warning: spoilers ahead for Doctor Who’s “Joy to the World”
While Nicola Coughlan’s character was expected to serve as the stand-in companion forDoctor Who’s 2024 Christmas special, a totally different figure takes that role instead. WithDoctor Who’s Christmas specialstypically falling between seasons, the Doctor has more than once found himself mourning the loss of a companion over the festive period. FollowingRuby Sunday’s exit inDoctor Whoseason 14, 2024 is again one of those years when the Doctor is left to rue his nomadic existence over a plate of roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Traditionally,Doctor Whowill introduce a temporary companion for these lonely Christmas specials - Catherine Tate’s Donna in “The Runaway Bride” and Kylie Minogue’s Astrid in “Voyage of the Damned” being two such characters. WithBridgertonstar Nicola Coughlan announced as the big new addition to feature alongside Ncuti Gatwa in 2024 Christmas special “Joy to the World,” it was assumed her character would occupy that temp-companion role before Varada Sethu becomes the next proper companion inDoctor Whoseason 15. Instead, the job goes to someone who flew largely under the radar.
Doctor Who Made Anita The Fifteenth Doctor’s New Companion In “Joy To The World”
Anita Is A Joy In Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas Special
Quite unexpectedly,it’s Stephanie de Whalley’s Anita who truly becomes the Fifteenth Doctor’s new companionin 2024’s Christmas special. The Doctor and Anita spend a year together, during which time she comes to learn all about his mysterious nature and hears tales of fantastical monsters such as the Weeping Angels. More importantly, the Doctor and Anita each have a positive impact upon the other’s life, which is arguably the hallmark of anygoodDoctor Whocompanion. Anita encourages the Doctor to find a new friend, while the Doctor gives Anita an opportunity for a more exciting life.
Who Is Varada Sethu? Where You Know Doctor Who Season 15’s New Companion From
It’s heavily rumored that Varada Sethu will replace Millie Gibson opposite Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who and here’s where viewers will recognize her from.
The Doctor is visibly upset when leaving the Sandringham’s concierge/cleaner/manager/behind, so while the pair may not have traveled beyond the confines of the hotel, their bond is evidently stronger than some Doctor-companion friendships from years past. Indeed, it’s a wonder Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor doesn’t invite Anita to travel alongside him in the TARDIS forDoctor Whoseason 15.“Joy to the World” impliesFifteen is not yet ready to move on after Ruby Sunday, but spending time with Anita at least helps him become open to the possibility of a new companion down the road.
Joy Never Really Becomes A Companion Replacement In “Joy To The World”
Joy Is Great, But Not A Companion
By contrast,Nicola Coughlan’s Joy never takes the shape of aDoctor Whocompanionduring her short brush with the Time Lord. Joy is afforded more screen time compared to Anita, albeit not by a huge margin, but barely spends an hour of in-universe time in the Doctor’s presence. The duo’s most meaningful moment comes when Fifteen verbally eviscerates Joy to spark enough anger to break Villengard’s conditioning, but they never share the kinship necessary for aDoctor Whocompanion. Anita, on the other hand, becomes the Doctor’s close confidante across a deeply touching and emotional montage.
The only companion vibes in “Joy to the World” are coming from behind the Sandringham Hotel’s front desk.
Joy is less of a companion figure and more someone the Doctor tries and fails to rescue. Coughlan’s doomed heroine ultimately saves the world, but she doesn’t assist the Doctor in any obvious way. Understandably, Joy is more concerned about being vaporized by Villengard’s briefcase, and is relying on the Doctor to try and spare her life.
Doctor Who’s Villengard Explained: Who Is The Doctor’s “Old Enemy?”
Villengard has an interesting place among the gallery of Doctor Who villains, as the nefarious organization has dipped in and out of the story.
The rest of the time, Joy is brainwashed by Villengard’s psychic programming, which further limits her ability to interact with the Doctor. Even in the very final moments of “Joy to the World,“the Doctor goes solo and leaves Joy standing awkwardlyin a crypt while he tries to save the day using a rope, meaning there’s never a sense of the teamwork needed for a Doctor and companion dynamic.
Dan Lewis (John Bishop)
Thirteen
Granted, Anita never helps the Doctor save the world. Their rapport and ability to bounce ideas off each other, however, is exactly what aDoctor and companiondouble act should be, and this is especially evident when the two chair buddies invade a couple’s honeymoon suite to investigate another door to the Time Hotel. Joy is a fine character and a worthy addition to the pantheon of one-offDoctor Whoguest stars, but the only companion vibes in “Joy to the World” are coming from behind the Sandringham Hotel’s front desk.
Doctor Who Must Reunite Fifteen & Anita, Right?
Please, Doctor Who, Bring Back Anita!
So compelling and heartwarming is the camaraderie between the Fifteenth Doctor and Anita,Doctor Whowould be remiss not to bring Stephanie de Whalley back in a future episode. Anita’s new job at the Time Hotel makes a return straightforward enough, and de Whalley’s chemistry with Gatwa could easily sustain an entire adventure, should the Doctor ever find himself in a one-mug-in-the-TARDIS situation again.
10 A-List Actors Who Appeared In Doctor Who
Doctor Who is the longest-running sci-fi show on TV, which has led to some top stars appearing on the show before and after their biggest success'.
Alternatively, Anita could follow the same path as Catherine Tate’s Donna, who began as a one-off Christmas companion but enjoyed such an enthusiastic response she was later hired on a full-time basis. After a hugely positive first outing, it would be no surprise whatsoever ifNcuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth DoctorbeganDoctor Whoseason 16 with a trip to the Time Hotel to pick up his old friend - for auld lang syne.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who: Released on June 04, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
