The latest season of Doctor Who finished with a whirlwind of controversy, leaving fans in a state of confusion. The chaos surrounding the season escalated when Disney+ shared promotional images featuring moments that never made it to the aired episode, hinting at a tumultuous production process. Fans began to ponder whether Ncuti Gatwa’s surprising exit was a planned part of the narrative or a last-minute adjustment.
Recently, this speculation found some footing thanks to none other than Carole Ann Ford, the actress famously known as the Doctor’s granddaughter, Susan. During an engaging conversation with fellow Doctor Who companion Katy Manning at Club Parramatta in Sydney, Ford shared revealing insights about an unseen scene that was originally linked to a promotional image showcasing the 15th Doctor partying with his companion, Belinda Chandra.
Could Susan Have Returned in a Major Way?
Ford explained, “You didn’t see the episode, which was to sort of introduce my coming back, where I was holding hands with a little—beautiful little tiny Black child, three years old. And we were watching through the window somewhere where the audience wasn’t supposed to know where we were supposed to be.” This scene showed her character longing to reconnect with her grandfather, now portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa, after a long absence.
Who Is the Mysterious Child?
The child referenced seems to represent Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps, who played Poppy in Gatwa’s season. Initially introduced in the episode “Space Babies,” Poppy became pivotal in the two-part finale “Wish World” and “The Reality War,” emerging as the Human-Time Lord child of the Doctor and Belinda via an alternate reality.
What Happened in the Aired Episode?
Unfortunately, in the televised version of “The Reality War,” Susan did not make an appearance at all. Instead, Poppy faced potential erasure during the reality reset, saved only by the 15th Doctor’s sacrifice, which initiated his regeneration and altered the timeline to allow Poppy to exist as Belinda’s daughter. This change also reframed Belinda’s journey throughout the prior season to emphasize her urgent need to return home to her child.
What’s Next for Susan and Poppy?
The trajectory of their arcs now remains uncertain. With no new season of Doctor Who confirmed at this point, it’s unclear how the original storyline would have unfolded. Ford hinted at behind-the-scenes complications but chose not to disclose them, stating, “That was unfortunately not to be—for reasons I know and will not disclose.” Her only on-screen appearance this season was a fleeting vision seen by the Doctor during “The Interstellar Song Contest.”
Even though the specifics surrounding Susan and Poppy’s arcs may be foggy, one thing is certain: the season did not unfold as originally intended, showcasing the intricate weaving of storytelling that Doctor Who is known for.
What were the major changes in Doctor Who‘s storyline this season? Many fans noticed significant alterations from the original plot, leading to a disjointed viewing experience when compared to early promotional materials.
Was Ncuti Gatwa’s exit from the series planned from the beginning? While there are theories suggesting otherwise, the promotional discrepancies have fueled speculation about how decisions were made during production.
What does Carole Ann Ford think about her limited role in this season? Ford has expressed disappointment about not being able to showcase her character’s potential return more fully, leaving fans to wonder about what awaited her and the Doctor.
What are the implications for the future of Doctor Who? With the uncertainty surrounding upcoming seasons, fans are left questioning how these changes will impact both character arcs and the larger narrative of the series.
As the Doctor Who universe continues to expand and evolve, there’s much to look forward to. For more insights and the latest updates on popular franchises, keep exploring related content at Moyens I/O.