Info about the new companion *POTENTIAL SPOILERS*

[the_willows]

At the moment, this is potentially speculative, and the info comes from an as yet un-aired interview with Steven Moffat for BBC Radio 5. But, according to DoctorWhoTV, Mr Moffat has said the following about the new companion:

Comments

[darkestboy]

First gay companion?

No, that's being debated on Gallifreybase at the moment.

Intriguing spoilers though.

[ragdoll]

First gay companion? Have they already forgotten about Jack and River? (Yes, yes, I know, they both are pansexual, but humans and their quaint labels and binary orientations...)

[darkestboy]

No, Jack and River still get referenced but it was being debated on GB if Clara was going to be gay given that JLC has played a bisexual character on Emmerdale and Irene Adler was gay on Sherlock and obviously the fact that last season we had Canton, Vastra and Jenny. I'd like if she was but if she's not, that's fine too. Just hope her character doesn't fancy the Doctor, either way.

[ragdoll]

I don't mind if she is gay as long as it feels organic to the story and not shoehorned in.

Considering this is the Moff and his obsession with lesbian spank inferno, anything is possible.

(I was really just questioning the idea that she'd be the first given that Jack and River precede her, as well as Canton. I was thinking of companions who travelled in the TARDIS for more than one story which is why I didn't mention Canton earlier.)

[masakochan]

Your icon just reminded me that I can hardly take his character seriously, in the PotC movies, after watching Coupling a few months ago.

[eaweek]

I wouldn't mind a gay character if she still had quirks, faults, issues, good points, bad points, etc. I don't want a gay character who is either a) up on a pedestal, b) used as a way to preach "gay acceptance" to the audience, or c) a source of lame gay jokes/ sexual titillation. In a nutshell, this was why I couldn't stand Willow-Tara over on Buffy back in the day.

But I trust Moff with this, because he seems to remember that characters, above all else, need to be interesting and engaging no matter where they come from or which gender/ species/ whatever they fancy.

I'm intrigued to see what Clara's background is--I just hope it lives up to the usual pre-season hype that whatever the show is doing this year is going to be the "biggest thing ever." Haven't we had enough of that already?