Maisie Williams confirms she's not returning to 'Doctor Who'

Maisie Williams has confirmed that she will not be returning to hit BBC series Doctor Who.

Williams, who plays the role of Ashildr, had been rumoured to become the Doctor's next companion following the departure of Jenna Coleman.

But the actress, who also stars in Game Of Thrones, has said she will be focusing on "other really exciting projects".

She told BANG Showbiz: "I'm not going to be working on Doctor Who again."

"Everyone's hyping about it, which is very exciting, but I guess that's more of a publicity thing," she continued. "But no, I'm not going to return, I have a lot of other really exciting projects lined up instead."

There will be no full series of the show in 2016, with showrunner, writer and producer Steven Moffat bowing out with his final series in 2017.

Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall will take over for the 11th series in 2018.

Brian Blessed wants to be the next 'Doctor Who'

Brian Blessed has said that he would like to be the next Time Lord once Peter Capaldi has finished his time on Doctor Who.

The actor was in talks to play the cult character 50 years ago, but eventually turned the role down due to other commitments.

In a new interview, he has now recalled that decision and spoken about his desire to be the Doctor. He told Calibre magazine that producers in 1966 told him "'We're very keen for you to be the Doctor, to follow William Hartnell, and we'd like you to play him very young. You've got a very vivid imagination, Brian. You can be quite normal and then also very, very eccentric'."

"I would love to play the Doctor, absolutely," he said of playing the lead in the long-running TV show. "I would love to be in Doctor Who [as the Doctor or as] another part, at least so Peter and I could fight again!"

Blessed has appeared in the show in the past, playing King Yrcanos in the 1986 episode 'Mindwarp'. He was also due to play Odin in 'The Girl Who Died', but was forced to pull out due to ill health.

Love Brian Blessed. But he's already been King Yrcanos, and that's sufficient. If he had to pull out of TGWD because of ill health, then he shouldn't be cast as the lead.

Peter Capaldi confirms 'different' companion has been cast in 'Doctor Who'

Peter Capaldi has confirmed that a new Doctor Who companion has been cast, and that they offer a "different sort of take" on the role.

The position of the Doctor's companion has been filled by Billie Piper, Karen Gillan and Jenna Coleman in recent years with the latter's Clara Oswald departing in the most recent series and opening up a vacancy alongside Capaldi. Speculation has been rife as to who could replace her, with Maisie Williams an early favourite until she recently ruled herself out.

Speaking to Brazilian website Omelete (via Radio Times), Capaldi confirmed that "a new companion, along any minute" adding that he is "very excited" about it.

"Obviously I know who that is and we've been doing a bit of work together already and it's very exciting," he said. "Because it's a very different sort of take on it.”

Explaining how this sidekick will be different, Capaldi continued: "Clara had prior knowledge of the Doctor. It was conceived as a human connected to your timeline, and so had access to the cosmic nature of the Doctor. She understood a little about how he was. And as she was already with Matt [Smith], she knew the Daleks and the TARDIS. Now we have someone who knows very little about the Doctor."

Doctor Who's New Companion to Be Revealed Saturday

Doctor Who's latest companion is due to be revealed soon.

With former co-adventurer Jenna Colman having donned a crown for the big-budget ITV/PBS drama Victoria, currently shooting in the north of England, her replacement alongside Peter Capaldi's timelord on the long-running series will be unveiled on Saturday.

Adding some curious spectacle to the announcement, the unveiling will take place in the 15-minute halftime of the soccer match between Everton and Manchester United, broadcast live on BBC One.

Among those rumored to be entering the Tardis is 32-year-old actress Rakhee Thakrar, most recently seen on the long-running soap Eastenders.

The next season of Doctor Who is due to start shooting next month, with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall taking over as showrunner from Steven Moffat.

Another plucky British woman..that's thinking outside the TARDIS box.
At least the actress makes a good first impression.
But that sketch was lame,full of Dalek jokes we've heard a million times before.Thankfully there were no "Doctor---who?" jokes.

Kid Nemo wants Daria to be the new companion.