EastEnders star Rakhee Thakrar is new companion in Paul McGann Big Finish audio series
Doctor Who is getting a new companion – at least, Paul McGann’s eighth Doctor is!
McGann has starred in a series of Doctor Who audio plays from Big Finish since 2001, and his latest series will see his Doctor caught up in the devastating Time War.
Playing his new companion in this series will be none other than Rakhee Thakrar, best known for her role as Shabnam Masood in EastEnders.
Thakrar – who left the BBC One soap in 2016 after a two-year stint – will play Bliss, a scientist “trying to stay alive in the heart of temporal battle”.
The part was written especially for Thakrar by Matt Fitton, who’s scripted Doctor Who: The Time War – Series 1.
“He may be trying to avoid getting embroiled in the Time War, but the eighth Doctor has found a new friend who knows how to blow up a Dalek,” said Big Finish producer David Richardson.
“Matt Fitton wrote the part for Rakhee Thakrar, and it was lovely when Rakhee accepted the part with such total delight. She’s brilliant and lovely and fits right in with the ever growing Big Finish family.”
Thakrar said: “Getting to voice the role of Bliss alongside the Doctor is an absolute dream. She’s a character who I’d like to be more like; someone who puts aside her own fear to help others.
“I think Big Finish have created a great companion with Bliss, she’s incredibly bright but is not excluded from making mistakes and having a sense of humour. I find her very real, and she’s a joy to play. I’m thoroughly excited to join the Doctor Who team.”
Thakrar’s casting will feel like fate to Doctor Who fans, who’ll remember the actress was tipped by tabloids to join the TV series before Pearl Mackie was cast.
The Time War audio series starring McGann and Thakrar will chronicle the terrible battle that raged between the Time Lords and the Daleks – never fully explored on television.
The Time War: Series 1 – the first of four parts – is available to pre-order at the reduced price of £23 on CD or £20 for download. You can also pre-order The Time War series 1-4 on CD for £88 or £80 for download.