Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies confirms that Ruby Sunday’s origin story will be further explored throughout season 14. Played by Millie Gibson, Fifteenth Doctor companion Ruby Sunday made her series debut on Christmas Day in the seasonal special entitled “The Church on Ruby Road.” Gibson starred alongside brand new Time Lord actor Ncuti Gatwa, and will continue to do so in Doctor Who season 14.
Now, Davies explains how Ruby’s story will continue throughout season 14. Speaking on Doctor Who: Video Commentaries, the showrunner explained that Ruby’s adoption story will be a recurring theme in future episodes. Check out the full quote from Davies below:
The story that we’re kicking off here about the adoption and having been fostered and then adopted and being a foundling actually runs through the entire series.
Why Ruby Sunday Is A Unique Companion In Doctor Who
As Davies alludes to, Ruby Sunday’s dubious origin story is introduced in her first episode. In it, viewers learn that Ruby went through the foster and adoption systems, growing up as a foundling child. Ruby Sunday’s name even stems from her background; her mother left her on the steps of a church that sits on Ruby Road, bringing about both Ruby’s name and the title for the Christmas episode.
This background interestingly distinguishes Ruby from the companions who have come before her. Before the revival era, Doctor Who companions were fairly flat characters that served more as sidekicks than autonomous players in the Time Lord’s adventures. As evidenced by her backstory, Ruby is already proving to be a far more dynamic character than the companions of yesteryear. Her origin story is ripe for exploration, and thus it is exciting to know that Davies and the team are planning to continue on this path for Ruby in Doctor Who season 14.
Ruby is also distinct for being played by the youngest companion actor in the show’s history. Gibson sets this record at just 19 years old. Ruby’s younger age, relative to former companions, can also aid her unique character arc by giving her more of a coming-of-age storyline than an older actor could logically have. Hopefully, this will all come together well as Doctor Who continues into season 14.
Doctor Who
Originally premiered in 1963, Doctor Who is a sci-fi series that follows a powerful being known as a Time Lord, referred to as the Doctor. Using an interdimensional time-traveling ship known as the TARDIS, the Doctor travels time and space with various companions as they solve multiple problems and help avert catastrophe as much as they almost cause it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they experience regenerations, allowing them to be recast every few seasons as a unique immortal being with new personality traits.
- Release Date
- November 23, 1963
- Cast
- Jenna Coleman , Jodie Whittaker , Alex Kingston , David Tennant , Matt Smith , Peter Capaldi
- Genres
- Adventure , Mystery , Sci-Fi
- Seasons
- 26
- Franchise
- Doctor Who
- Writers
- Mark Gatiss , Toby Whithouse , Neil Cross , Steven Moffat , Chris Chibnall
- Network
- BBC
