Peter Capaldi Reiterates Desire to Bring Susan Back to Doctor Who
By Leah Tedesco
With all of the buzz regarding the possibility of Clara Oswald returning to the Whoniverse, there is another former companion about whom many have been wondering… one who has not made a new appearance on screen for a very long time.
Last June, we reported that, in an interview with Doctor Who Magazine, Carole Ann Ford said that Peter Capaldi expressed his desire to see her reprise her role as Susan Foreman, the Doctor’s granddaughter and first companion on the show. Ford also asserted that she would love to return.
Her run as a companion lasted from the very first episode, ‘An Unearthly Child‘ (1963) to ‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth‘ (1964). She then guest starred in the 1983 special, ‘The Five Doctors‘ and later in the 1993 Children in Need two-part charity special ‘Dimensions in Time.’ The last time that we technically saw Susan was in the 2013 episode ‘The Name of the Doctor.’ Because it was set before the events of ‘An Unearthly Child,’ however, the character was portrayed by a body double, not Ford.
The issue of her hypothetical return was recently resurrected at Fan Expo Dallas, when Capaldi was asked on a panel which companion he would like to see make a comeback. He gave the reason that too much was left untold about her character.
Asked which companion he'd bring back. Peter Capaldi says, "Susan. Her story wasn't finished."#FanExpoDallas
— Masters of Divinity (@MastersDivinity) June 4, 2016
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With the showrunner changing after Series Ten from Steven Moffat to Chris Chibnall it is a particularly opportune time to have such a major event occur on the program. It could either be seen as Moffat going out with a bang, or as Chibnall making a strong opening statement. Either way, it would be lovely to grant Capaldi’s wish before the next regeneration.
Another option would be for her to appear on Class (on which Capaldi almost certainly will appear), as Coal Hill School is her alma mater. And if they were to also bring back William Russell to reprise his role as former companion Ian Chesterton — and former teacher of Susan’s — all the better.
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