Today, Big Finish announced that Rakhee Thakrar will playing a new companion for the Eighth Doctor, in the soon to be released Time War series!
Last week, Big Finish announced that their upcoming Eighth Doctor: Time War box set will be just the first one of four. Few other details had been announced, other than the fact that the Eighth Doctor will have a new companion. Initially, no details of said companion were revealed. Today, Big Finish have finally revealed more about the new character, and who will be playing her: Bliss, as portrayed by Rakhee Thakrar.
Big Finish producer David Richardson told more in the official announcement.
"He may be trying to avoid getting embroiled in the Time War, but the Eighth Doctor has found a new friend who knows how to blow up a Dalek – enter Bliss, a scientist trying to stay alive in the heat of temporal battle. Matt Fitton wrote the part for Rakhee Thakrar, and it was lovely when Rakhee accepted the part with such total delight. She’s brilliant and lovely and fits right in with the ever growing Big Finish family."
A Companion of the Time War
I’m already liking what I’m hearing about the new character. It sounds like she’s someone who’s had direct experience of the Time War. This instantly makes her stand out compared to the standard modern-day Earth template that’s regularly used for companions.
Not that the template hasn’t given us some really great characters, such as Sarah Jane, Rose and Donna. But it is nice that we’ll be exploring a very different viewpoint this time.
However, while this character has experience of the War, it also sounds like she won’t be too cynical or worn down from battle. At least, judging from Rakhee’s own words of the character.
"Getting to voice the role of Bliss alongside the Doctor is an absolute dream. She’s a character who I’d like to be more like; someone who puts aside her own fear to help others. I think Big Finish have created a great companion with Bliss, she’s incredibly bright but is not excluded from making mistakes and having a sense of humour. I find her very real, and she’s a joy to play. I’m thoroughly excited to join the Doctor Who team."
Finding out more about Bliss is just one more reason why I’m looking forward to this series. Interestingly, over a year ago, Rakhee was heavily rumoured to play the new companion on television.
While those rumours were obviously proved untrue, she’s clearly a popular choice to take on such a major role. It looks like Big Finish were lucky to get her before the TV series did. I honestly can’t wait to hear Bliss and the Eighth Doctor in action in November.
Next: The Lie of the Land Review
Are you excited by this casting news? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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