The following article contains spoilers for Doctor Who's "Joy to the World."
With Millie Gibson making a surprise appearance in Doctor Who's 2024 Christmas special, Steven Moffat and Russell T Davies break down what her cameo means in the Whoniverse. Ruby Sunday made her debut in the 2023 Christmas special as a child left abandoned on a church doorstep at Christmas hoping to discover who her true biological mother is. Despite traveling to the age of dinosaurs, Regency England, and distant space human colonies, Ruby parted ways with Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who's season 14 finale.
While speaking with Screen Rant about Doctor Who's 2024 Christmas Special, Moffat broke down the surprise cameo by Ruby in the episode's final montage. While her appearance was not part of the earlier concepts, the writer revealed that he and Davies had extensive discussions about why the Time Lord would keep their distance. Ultimately, Moffat chose to depict Ruby witnessing the new Star Seed-induced star as her tale with the Doctor wasn't over compared to other departures, such as Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill). Read his comment below:
Moffat: I didn't know I was going to do it at the beginning, but we had conversations about why the Doctor wouldn't get in touch with Ruby while he was stuck in London for a year, or in touch with the many, many friends he has there. He's got a bloody office there, for God's sake, and we just came to the conclusion that he doesn't do that. He's just not that guy. He doesn't go looking for help. He lets people get on with their lives and potters along by himself.
But I thought about Ruby, and then I thought when the star is shining down at the end, she should see it too. If you look at the way it ended, their relationship didn't really end at the end of the previous episode. It doesn't end as a relationship at all. Sometimes, like in The Angels Take Manhattan, that's the end for him, Amy Pond, and Rory. But that was not an end; that was goodbye for now, so she's out there.
Both Moffat and Davies joked that if they could have their way, it is likely more companions may have been visited. Check out Moffat and Davies' comparison below:
Davies: Let's face it Steven, if we had our way, we'd have cut all 63 companions even! [laughs]
Moffat: It's true, it's true! [laughs]
How Doctor Who's 2024 Christmas Special Addressed Ruby's Exit
The Companion Is Set To Return In 2025
In "Joy To The World," the Fifteenth Doctor is considering reaching out to Ruby and is awaiting her call during his stay in London. Despite this and him talking fondly about Ruby to Anita (Steph de Walley), it isn't until the end that he is given the resolve and perspective to make a change. Though the Doctor may have been reluctant to reach out, it is evident that Ruby has been busy in her own life.
Both the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) and Fifteenth Doctor spent a period of their lives where the Time Lord left their companions behind after their faith in the ability to keep them safe was shattered.
While Ruby may have left behind the Doctor and joined her new family, the DoctorWho season 15 trailer and past previews have shown that she has been active between each season. The trailer saw Ruby stand within UNIT HQ and hint at her employment with the agency, while a previous preview saw Ruby take charge amidst a group of survivors in a crisis.
Our Thoughts On Ruby's Doctor Who Seasonal Special Appearance
Could Companion Parallels Carry Dark Foreshadowing?
For longtime DoctorWho fans, there are several parallels between Ruby's story and Amy and Rory's story. Both the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) and Fifteenth Doctor spent a period of their lives where the Time Lord left their companions behind after their faith in the ability to keep them safe was shattered. Ultimately, a seasonal adventure would see both Doctors faced with a new friend urging them to find someone to travel with.
While every companion of the Doctor's in Doctor Who may be wildly different in appearance and personality, they share certain significant experiences.
However, with Moffat raising Ruby's parallels to the Eleventh Doctor companions, many DoctorWho viewers may be wary of her potential season 15 fate. With Gibson set to share the TARDIS with new companion Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) in 2025, it is likely her return will bring new challenges.
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The latest season of Doctor Who introduces the Fifteenth Doctor, joined by new companion Ruby Sunday. Their first adventure begins with "The Church on Ruby Road," where they face powerful new foes and unravel the mystery surrounding Ruby's origins. The Doctor grapples with the aftermath of a unique regeneration event and battles enemies more formidable than ever before.
Character(s)
Commander Millington
, Polly
, Gordon Lowery
, Dervish
, Wheeler
, Radar Technician
, Uncredited
, Dr. Grace Holloway
, K9 (voice)
, Lieutenant Carstairs
, Peladon
, Chancellor Flavia
, Curtis
, Mike
, Self
, Ted Moss
, Sarah Jane Smith
, Miranda
, Mykros
, The Master
, Arek
, Megara Voice
, Dodo Chaplet
, Peter Warmsly
, Jackson
Creator(s)
Donald Wilson
, Sydney Newman
Producers
John Nathan-Turner
, Innes Lloyd
, Peter Bryant
, Philip Hinchcliffe
, Verity Lambert
, John Wiles
Seasons
1
Writers
Russell T. Davies
, Dave Gibbons
, Kate Herron
, Steven Moffat
Streaming Service(s)
Apple
, Britbox
, M
, Dis
Directors
Douglas Camfield
, David Maloney
, Christopher Barry
, Michael E. Briant
, Barry Letts
, Michael Ferguson
, Richard Martin
, Peter Moffatt
, Pennant Roberts
, Lennie Mayne
, Chris Clough
, Ron Jones
, Paddy Russell
, Paul Bernard
, Michael Hayes
, Timothy Combe
, Morris Barry
, Gerald Blake
, Graeme Harper
, Waris Hussein
, Rodney Bennett
, Mervyn Pinfield
, Hugh David
, John Gorrie
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English (US) ·