Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie confirms Bill is leaving the show – after a Christmas comeback
Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie is coming back as Bill – but only for Christmas
We’re getting our first female Doctor next year, but Pearl Mackie’s lesbian companion Bill won’t be joining her.
Jodie Whittaker was last week confirmed as the new Doctor, a decision attracting much attention.
The move marks a mass exodus on the BBC sci-fi show, as showrunner Steven Moffat departs, along with The 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi.
Recent regulars Missy, played by Michelle Gomez, and Matt Lucas’s Nardole, will also not be returning when new showrunner Chris Chibnall takes the reins for season 11.
It appeared that Bill had made a permanent exit from Doctor Who, having been ‘upgraded’ to a Cyberman.
She was then saved and transformed by her past girlfriend Heather into a water-creature who can travel in both space and time across the universe.
But a San Diego Comic-con it was announced that Bill will return in Steven Moffat’s swansong, the 2017 Christmas Special, when she appeared at the end of the trailer.
“No, that’s it – Christmas special, last chance to see Bill,” Mackie told the convention panel on whether her seasonal appearance would mean a more permanent return.
“But, I mean, hey, it’s Doctor Who, so never say never!”
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It will mark Peter Capaldi’s exit as the Doctor and Jodie Whittaker’s entrance, as well as an intriguing appearance from David Bradley as the First Doctor, originally played by William Hartnell.
The 2017 Doctor Who Christmas Special is called Twice Upon a Time, and you can watch the trailer below:
