Maisie Williams has opened up about whether she would return to Doctor Who as Ashildr during Ncuti Gatwa’s era as the Fifteenth Doctor. Williams played the young Viking girl during season 9 of the show, during Peter Capaldi’s run as the Twelfth Doctor. Ashildr eventually became immortal with his help, temporarily joining the group before leaving the show alongside another immortal character, Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman).
Speaking with Collider, Williams expressed interest in returning to the show during Gatwa’s run as the Fifteenth Doctor. While it likely couldn’t happen until after Doctor Who season 14, the actor says she would come back as Ashildr if given the opportunity. Check out what Williams had to say below:
I’d love to work with Ncuti, that would be so cool. I actually had never even [thought] about— People are always asking me about Arya, that no one asks me about Ashildr. So maybe! I would love that, yeah that would be cool.
How Ashildr Can Return In Doctor Who
Ashildr was last seen during the final episode of season 9, accompanying Clara on a journey through the universe in their own TARDIS. However, the episode also reveals that, at the end of time, the former Viking girl is still alive. This means that, while she’s unlikely to be part of Doctor Who season 14’s cast, her long lifespan indicates she could return at some point in future seasons.
While Ashildr is journeying through space with Clara, the latter still wants to return to Gallifrey after their trip is over, facing her fate of dying. Since the Doctor’s memories of his former companion have been erased, though, it would make it difficult for this story to tie into his new adventures. Even so, it’s possible the Fifteenth Doctor can cross paths with the duo by chance on one of his missions, perhaps remembering his bond with the pair.
However, with season 15 currently filming, it seems Williams will have to wait a bit longer for her return to the show. Although given the number of changes coming to the series, with Millie Gibson leaving Doctor Who as Ruby Sunday next season, anything is possible for future events. Perhaps Ashildr can return more powerful than before, aiding the Doctor in whatever his next missions will be.
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
- Seasons
- 26
- Franchise
- Doctor Who
- Writers
- Mark Gatiss , Toby Whithouse , Neil Cross , Steven Moffat , Chris Chibnall
- Network
- BBC
