Not many people saw this one coming\u2026and who is Vinder anyway? <\/p>
Doctor Who series 13\u2019s cast just got (a bit) bigger \u2013 and it surprised everyone.<\/p>\n
You see, after months of keeping their cards close to their chest, the team behind the BBC sci-fi series had promised that a \u201cspecial surprise guest\u201d would appear during their virtual Comic-Con@Home panel to join the regular cast and showrunner Chris Chibnall \u2013 and after a little preamble (and heated fan speculation), this mysterious figure has now been revealed.<\/p>\n
And contrary to many theories (which ranged from Alex Kingston\u2019s River Song returning to Olly Alexander being announced as the next Doctor), the surprise guest was none other than Game of Thrones star Jacob Anderson, who joins the series as a recurring multi-episode character called Vinder.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe makes you root for him, and he breaks your heart\u2026 he\u2019s got the whole range,\u201d Chibnall said of the character.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Doctor has been a part of my life forever, from watching and rewatching the serials on VHS as a kid and being terrified, to unexpectedly finding my eyes watering when the Tenth Doctor said \u2018I don\u2019t want to go\u2019,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always wanted to live in the Whoniverse. Not only has a lifelong dream of mine now been fulfilled, but to be playing a character as fun, adventurous and dynamic as Vinder is the cherry on top. This is very cool.\u201d<\/p>
Best known for his role in the HBO fantasy series (where he played troubled Unsullied commander Grey Worm) Anderson has also worked with Who showrunner Chris Chibnall before, playing a key role in season one of Broadchurch (also alongside Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker). Alongside acting work he also releases music under the name Raleigh Ritchie, and put out his second album in 2020.<\/p>\n
Now, he\u2019ll join Whittaker, Mandip Gill and series newcomer John Bishop (who plays new companion Dan in the series) for the shorter than usual Doctor Who series 13, which has been slightly curtailed by the extra processes needed to film during the pandemic and is expected to debut on BBC One this autumn.<\/p>\n
Here’s a first look at Jacob Anderson as Vinder in #DoctorWho<\/a>! #Series13<\/a>
Read more here \u27a1\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/k0U70diTWs<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NHHvAMPMfO<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) July 25, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>\u201cIn this strangest of years, the Doctor Who<\/a> production team have worked wonders to get the show back into production,\u201d Chibnall said last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the complexity of making Doctor Who, and with new and rigorous Covid working protocols, it\u2019s going to take us a little longer to film each episode, meaning we expect to end up with eight episodes, rather than the usual 11.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, rumours have emerged since then that all eight episodes might not air this autumn, with one or more saved as \u201cspecials\u201d in 2022 and the Who team neither confirming or denying the episode count during the Comic-Con panel.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs ever bosses are staying tight lipped about what they have planned,\u201d a BBC insider told RadioTimes.com <\/strong>earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut with filming still going on they clearly have plans for episodes to be playing out much later into 2022 so there\u2019s lots more to come for\u00a0Jodie\u2019s Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n
And now, at least we know one of the other people she\u2019ll be bouncing off. How exactly Vinder will fit in with the TARDIS team during this unusual series remains to be seen (with few details given during the panel), but we\u2019re sure the conversation about this intriguing new character is only just beginning.<\/p>\n
And hopefully we won\u2019t have to wait quite as long for more information this time. We\u2019re hungry for these crumbs!<\/p>\n
For more Doctor Who news, check out our latest RadioTimes.com Doctor Who podcast<\/a>, or the latest news on our Sci-Fi<\/a> page.<\/em><\/p>\n