Doctor Who planned to replace Jenna Coleman with fan favourite Faye Marsay as new companion
Who would have made the best companion? (Picture: BBC) Things could have turned out so differently ..
Things could have turned out so differently on Doctor Who, especially if Jenna Coleman had left when she was supposed to.
Originally set to make her final bow in 2014 Christmas special The Last Christmas, Clara (played by Coleman) was eventually written out one year later.
As a result, the BBCs plans to replace her were thrown in the bin.
Former showrunner Steven Moffat has revealed fan favourite Faye Marsay was penciled in to replace Coleman at the time, but had her spot taken by Pearl Mackie 12 months later.
Marsay played Shona McCullough in what was supposed to be Claras final episode.
Shona worked in a shop during the story, but soon left to go on an adventure with the Doctor and his companion.
Attacked by a dream crab, Shona was left in a dream state, believing she was a scientist at the North Pole.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Eventually, Peter Capaldis doctor was able to wake her from her slumbers and helped kill the alien creature controlling her.
The episode was acclaimed by fans and meant Shona became a favourite amongst die-hard Whovians.
Unfortunately, she never got the chance to make the jump from bit-part character to faithful companion.
Moffat revealed to Doctor Who: The Fan Show that Marsay might have snagged the job had Coleman not changed her mind about leaving.
I was eyeing up the possibility of writing the part of Shona as the replacement, he said.
Theres a commonality between [her and Bill Potts]. I knew where I wanted to go next was a kind of earthy irreverence, I guess, if I put it in the most basic terms.
More: Doctor Who
I hadnt got a fully-formed character, but I was messing around with that.
Moffat added: I had already persuaded [Coleman] to come back and do Christmas and [said], “Ive got a big ending for you where you turn out to be an old lady and you die at the end as an old lady”.
That was the original ending to Last Christmas and the ending we had at the read-through… and after the read-through, we went into a side room with Jenna where she was just, she wasnt ready to go. She thought she was ready to go, and I think in my heart, I knew she wasnt ready to go, and she said, “Im not sure Im actually ready to go”.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Doctor Who returns this autumn with a new Doctor played by Jodie Whittaker.
Got a story?
If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Doctor Who boss reveals extreme lengths he went to to keep Jodie Whittaker a secret
MORE: A Doctor Who escape room is coming to London
Advertisement
Advertisement