Why Rose Should Have Been Doctor Who's Next Companion (2024)

Doctor Who has been around so long that it practically feels like a time traveler itself. Starting out in the '60s, Doctor Who aired as a niche science fiction show until 1989. After a lengthy hiatus, the series' 2005 return is viewed as a turning point where the show regenerates into what fans have since affectionately named "NuWho." The Doctor Who reboot grew to engage a wider audience, albeit one that still loves science fiction. Doctor Who has been on the air ever since and it recently celebrated its 60th anniversary with three new specials that star David Tennant's Tenth Doctor -- now the Fourteenth Doctor -- alongside Donna Noble and the introduction of her daughter, Rose.

Rose as Donna's daughter isn't a situation that's akin to River Song and the Ponds. Donna and her husband have a daughter together and Donna simply names her Rose in honor of the Doctor's past companion, Rose Tyler. This special involves a different Rose, but there's no denying that she has what it takes to be the Doctor's companion, just like her mom. These specials seemed to build up to this reveal in their first episode, "The Star Beast", only for it to go nowhere. Nevertheless, there are many reasons beyond Rose Noble's parentage for why she would be an excellent companion for the Doctor.

Rose Has All The Qualities Of Other Great Companions

Every Doctor Who companion is a strong-willed, intelligent woman who stands up for herself. They care about others and ultimately want to do what's right. Rose is no different. Rose discovers the alien Meep and isn't afraid of this oddity. She does not run away, but instead embraces the Meep and even tries to help it. Rose recognizes that the Meep is the one who is afraid and feels alone in this strange world. This feeling is relatable because of Rose's own experience as a trans person and because of the piece of the metacrisis that shes holds inside of herself. The Meep tricks everyone and ultimately becomes the villain, but Rose lacks this knowledge. Donna exhibits similar behavior when she empathizes with the Ood's song in captivity and wants to help them. Rose even empathizes with a dying Dalek and heals it before she's aware of the Doctor's complicated history with them.

Rose also chooses to look out for the safety of others over herself. Rose, before the reveal that the Meep are evil, becomes protective over it. She puts herself in harm's way against the soldiers in order to keep them away from the Meep. The Doctors' other companions constantly do this, too. Amy sacrifices herself for Rory when the Weeping Angels overtake Manhattan and send him back in time. Martha remains in hiding and keeps the Doctor's essence in a pocket watch that she protects from enemy attacks.

All the Doctors' companions aren't afraid to stand up for their beliefs and help the Doctor see new perspectives. It's part of why the Doctor loves the human race so much. He's been around for so long that he occasionally loses sight of what's important in life. His companions' provide fresh perspectives that he's able to learn from. In "The Star Beast," Rose suggests asking the Meep its preferred pronouns before making any assumptions and even the Doctor defers to calling the Meep a "he." Rose knows all too well what being misgendered feels like. This occurs earlier when classmates deadname Rose. The Doctor agrees that this assumption is rude on his part and he apologetically corrects the situation.

Rose Is Donna Noble's Daughter

Fans consider Donna Noble to be an essential Doctor Who companion. Unlike previous NuWho companions, Donna does not have any romantic feelings for her Doctor. Her journey with the Doctor is for herself, first and foremost, not out of any additional attraction to the Doctor. Donna is not afraid to voice her opinions out of any fear that the Doctor might disapprove. She even puts the Doctor in his place whenever he deserves it. Donna truly becomes the Doctor's best friend. In Series 4, Episode 13, "Journey's End," Donna touches the Doctor's severed hand from "The Christmas Invasion." This act creates a clone of the Doctor, who transfers some of his energy into Donna, which is called the metacrisis.

This leads to a tragic fate for the Doctor. He must erase all of Donna's memories over their time together, otherwise she'll die due to the overwhelming power of the metacrisis. This is the original problem that the Doctor faces when he encounters her in "The Star Beast." Donna gets a second chance at life, but it's a bittersweet turn of events because she loses her memories with the Doctor. All of Donna's growth is lost because she regresses to her pre-Doctor existence. This Donna still has amazing potential, but is admittedly more self-centered and undetermined. Donna's parents even admit to the Doctor that "she was better with you."

However, the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials show audiences that Donna can never fully rid her mind of the Doctor. A good partner and the birth of a daughter seem to instill many of these traits in Donna. These milestones help her grow in unexpected ways. Rose, as Donna's daughter, also receives many of her mother's positive traits. Donna slowly realizes that she has to once again open up her mind to the Doctor's knowledge in order to save everyone, so she gives her life to do so. A satisfying twist takes place when her death is avoided because her child, Rose, acquires some of her metacrisis memories. This means that Rose, much like Donna, possesses some of the Doctor's knowledge and abilities, which makes her an even better match to help him in future adventures.

The Show Is Looking To Do Another Restart

Russel T. Davies is back at the helm as Doctor Who's writer and director, much to the joy of many fans. Davies started Doctor Who's reboot back in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor and Billie Piper as his companion, Rose Tyler. Davies left the show in 2010, along with David Tennant, after the completion of several specials following Series 4. It's at this point that Steven Moffat, who was already a Doctor Who writer, would take over as showrunner. Davies will now replace Chris Chibnall, who was Doctor Who's previous showrunner, during Jodie Whitaker's run as the Doctor in 2018.

Davies seems to want to softly restart Doctor Who once again. Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor will begin with a new Series 1 instead of a continuation of Series 14 that follows the rest of the series. Steven Moffat attempted a similar reset with the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond, but Davies is responsible for writing and directing the 60th Anniversary Specials, which includes Rose Noble's introduction. A character with the same name would be a fitting way to reintroduce the series with a new companion, but also pay homage to his original companion, Rose Tyler. Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary Specials have already done this in more ways than simply the use of Rose's name. All the toys that Rose makes and sells are secretly inspired by creatures that the Doctor has previously encountered. This Rose basically "Bad Wolfs" herself, just like Rose Tyler does in her first season.

Millie Gibson will do a fantastic job as the next companion to Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor, but it's a shame that Yasmin Finney won't get the chance to show us more of what Rose Noble can do. Many Doctor Who characters return after their exits, so perhaps fans still have a chance for this to happen in the future -- or the past. After all, there are so many possibilities in a show like Doctor Who.

The Doctor Who Christmas special aired December 25th with Ncuti Gatwa in his first full episode as the Doctor. The episode, "The Church on Ruby Road," also happens to feature his new companion, Ruby Sunday. The new Doctor and Ruby are set to face off against baby-eating goblins and even the goblin king himself! There's even a musical number in the episode for Children in Need. Fans may be disappointed that Rose isn't present as the new Doctor's companion, but there's clearly plenty to keep audiences satisfied and a bright future ahead for NuWho's next chapter.

Doctor Who

TV-14

The adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.

Release Date

December 25, 2023

Creator

Sydney Newman

Cast

Ncuti Gatwa , Millie Gibson , Susan Twist , Michelle Greenidge , Angela Wynter , Jemma Redgrave , Yasmin Finney , Anita Dobson

Main Genre

Sci-Fi