Zayn Malik revealed as new companion
The BBC has today confirmed that Zayn Malik will be joining Doctor Who as the show’s latest companion when Jenna Coleman leaves halfway through the next series.
The singer, who rose to international fame on the UK X Factor after being hand picked to join boy band One Direction, will be introduced as the Twelfth Doctor’s new sidekick in Episode 7 of Series 9 which will also feature Clara’s departure.
Malik will play Henry Joseph, a university student who puts his geography degree on hold to explore the universe.
“I am ridiculously excited to be making my official acting debut in Doctor Who,” Zayn said. “I left One Direction to try new things but I never imagined that it would involve travelling through time and space with Peter Capaldi himself. I literally cannot wait to get started…”
Further details about Zayn’s introduction have yet to be revealed but Steven Moffat has promised that it will be one of the most memorable companion debuts to date. He said: “If the Doctor thought he had his hands full with Clara Oswald, just you wait until he meets Henry Joseph! There’s only one direction – *ahem* – for him when he sees the TARDIS for the first time. We’re thrilled to be able to show the world that Zayn can do more than sing.”
So, what do you think of the news? Are you happy that Doctor Who has enlisted a full time male co-star? Share your initial reaction to Zayn’s casting in the comments section below…
Series 9 is being filmed in Cardiff and it is expected to air in the autumn. Earlier this week Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams was confirmed as one of its guest stars in a role that will “challenge the Doctor in unexpected ways”. More casting news is expected shortly.
UPDATE: April Fool’s! Yep, if you hadn’t guessed already, this was our April Fool’s Day prank for this year. Zayn won’t be the new companion, and Jenna Coleman isn’t leaving (as far as we know). We hope you enjoyed the prank! Check out some of your reactions to the ‘news’ here.
The Doctor returns in The Magician’s Apprentice… Click HERE for the latest news!
Hmmm bearing in mind the date, does anyone believe this story?
So why? They need a young actor , so the new whovian will watch the show again? I’m a older generation Whovian. Watched Doctor Who when i was around 10 years old, i was living in Italy, and watching Tom Baker, so we were about 5 years late, compare to the date when the show was on in England.A great Doctor was Tom Baker the 5th Doctor was young, the 6th just a clown, the 7th well…don’t know. Loved Christopher Eccleston, loved David Tennant (my favorite), good Matt but then we got Peter….so now they realize that the show needs to ….run..i loved the action of the new Doctors, running, no afraid of the danger, now…we have a very static Doctor, grumpy old man, reminds me of my grandfather (but it is not a compliment, he was an very grumpy old men). So they gave him a male companion…… young… male companion….. so next regeneration will be a younger woman that fell in love with the companion? No please no, i miss David i miss Christopher
heheh had me going for a 1/4th of a second!! Happy April Fools day to you too!!
Wow, i forgot about the stupidest day of the year, i guess you got me, always hated April 1st.
Yeah, that would have definitely stopped me watching the show. I always brace myself for the 1st April, never trust anything, lol
Didn’t believe from the minute I read it, there’s never a companion announcement before an official announcement that Jenna was leaving..
OMG!!!
I thought that was real for a second
Just realized???
It would have been great though! He’s beyond good looking!