Doctor Who Series 9: Maisie Williams Is NOT Playing a Returning Character

Well there goes that theory.

Ever since Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams was announced as a guest-star for Doctor Who Series 9, fans have been caught up in a frenzy of speculation over who exactly she would be playing.

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The mystery thickened when we learned that Williams’ episodes were not part of a traditional two-part story; instead they are two stories “linked” with a common thread. The first episode, ‘The Girl Who Died,’ takes place in the time of the Vikings and even features Odin as a guest character. The second episode, ‘The Woman Who Lived,’ is seemingly set in the early 18th century, with Williams spotted on set looking suspiciously like famed English highwayman Dick Turpin.

Then there was the Series 9 trailer unveiled earlier this month at Comic-Con; Williams appears toward the very end and the Doctor very clearly recognizes her, exclaiming, “You?!” She responds sarcastically, saying, “What took you so long, old man?”

The leading fan speculation has been that Williams is playing a character from the Doctor’s past, with leading candidates including the Doctor’s granddaughter Susan, his cloned daughter Jenny, River Song, Romana, or a younger version of either Missy or Clara.

Well, you can now put all those theories to bed. Speaking today at a Television Critic’s Association event, Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat said emphatically:

"“Once you see what she’s up to you’ll appreciate what a clever idea [the role] was. It’s a significant role, we’re not just throwing her away. It’s a great part and she’s terrific in it. One thing I think is worth saying, because it keeps coming up as an issue, is that she is not playing a returning character. She’s a new character, she’s not a character from the Doctor’s past.”"

Moffat later told another reporter point blank: “It’s not Susan. It’s not his daughter.” He credited Doctor Who producer Brian Minchin with creating William’s mysterious new character, and insisted she wasn’t cast because they “were just going for the star value.”

Now, I’m not necessarily one to say “I told you so,” but… I told you so. I’m been saying since day one that Williams is not playing a returning character. It’s clear when you compare the footage from the end of the Series 9 trailer to the set photos that the clip is taken from the second episode, ‘The Woman Who Lived.’ The Doctor recognizes Williams not because she’s a character connected to his past, but because he literally just left her in a Viking village in the prior episode.

Now, just because she’s not a returning character doesn’t mean she isn’t still an intriguing figure. The question of how she managed to appear in two different two periods is still unanswered. Is she immortal, a la Captain Jack Harkness? Is she a time traveler? Could she even be a Gallifreyan Time Lady?

We’ll find out soon enough. Series 9 premieres September 19 on BBC One and BBC America. For full episode details, check out our guide, ‘Doctor Who Series 9: Everything There is to Know So Far.’

What do you think? Does this destroy your running theory? Who do you think Maisie Williams is playing? Sound off in the comments below!

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