Doctor
Who is to be joined by his first black companion in
the show's 43-year history. Freema Agyeman will star
as the Doctor's new sidekick, Martha Jones, after impressing
drama chiefs with a bit-part in the current series.
Agyeman will replace Billie Piper,
whose character Rose Tyler makes a dramatic exit from
the show this Saturday after nearly two series.
Although the programme already has
a prominent black character in Tyler's boyfriend Mickey
Smith, played by Noel Clarke, Agyeman will be the first
ethnic minority actor to play the Doctor's main companion.
The 27-year-old Londoner follows in
a long line of women, men and even a robotic dog, K9,
who have accompanied the Doctor on his travels in his
various incarnations.
A drama graduate who attended the Anna
Scher Theatre School in her summer holidays, Agyeman
was discovered when she auditioned for the part of Adeola,
who suffered a horrific death at the hands of the Cybermen
in last week's episode.
Toyin Agbetu, spokesman for the African-British
media campaign group Ligali, said: "As someone
who grew up watching Doctor Who, it's about time and
it's a positive thing, but it's important the character
is not caricatured.
"It's not just about picking someone
because of their ethnicity. It's about portraying them
in a way that's not one-dimensional as a lot of the
Doctor's companions have been. It's important that she
doesn't become a tokenistic sidekick designed to fill
an ethnic minority quota, that the character is substantive
and not portrayed as ethnic totty."
The BBC was criticised for its forthcoming
school-based drama Shoot The Messenger, which Mr Agbetu
described as "the most racist programme in its
history".
Russell T Davies, the executive producer
and chief scriptwriter of Doctor Who, said: "The
search for a new companion had been under way for some
time when I first saw Freema Agyeman. She had come in
to audition for the part of Adeola in series two. Watching
her during filming confirmed what an exciting new talent
she was, so we called her back in to audition with David
[Tennant, who plays the Doctor]. It was an immediate
and sensational combination, and her range, presence
and charm blew us all away."
Mr Davies said Agyeman and Tennant,
who replaced Christopher Eccleston after one series
to play the Doctor, were "terrific together".
"The first scripts have been written, and Martha's
a brilliant addition to the Tardis crew, the perfect
foil for the Doctor." He said Agyeman would join
the show for its third series next year.
When she won the part, the BBC swore
Agyeman to silence until Piper's departure had been
made official. "I've been keeping this secret from
my friends for months - it's been driving me mad,"
said Agyeman, whose previous television work includes
appearances in The Bill, Casualty, Silent Witness and
Crossroads.
"Auditioning with David in secret
down in Cardiff was unbelievable, but I never in my
wildest dreams thought I'd actually become the new companion.
Billie rightfully built up an amazing fan base and she
will be missed, but I hope the fans are willing to go
on new adventures with me."
Tennant said: "Freema was a joy
to work with. She is not only very talented and very
beautiful, she's great fun and I'm delighted she's coming
on board the Tardis full time."
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