‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner Says Maisie Williams’ Role ‘Is a Brand New Character’
TCA 2015: “She’s not someone from the Doctor’s past,” Steven Moffat teased of “Game of Thrones” actress’ secret appearance
Tony Maglio | July 31, 2015 @ 10:36 AM
Last Updated: July 31, 2015 @ 11:14 AM
“Doctor Who” showrunner Steven Moffat sprinkled a few crumbs Friday about Maisie Williams’ (pictured above) secretive upcoming role.
“It’s a significant role, we’re not throwing the role away,” Moffat told reporters during BBC America’s Television Critics Association Summer press tour panel. “We’re not just getting the star value and doing nothing with it.
“It’s a great part and she’s terrific in it,” he continued to the English actress who is best known for her role as Arya Stark on HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” “But, I would say, it will develop in unexpected ways.”
“One thing I think is really worth saying — because it keeps coming up as an issue — she is not playing a returning character, she’s a brand new character,” Moffat explained. “She’s not someone from the Doctor’s past.
“I can’t really tell you [much], but I think when you see what she’s up to in the show, you’ll appreciate what a clever idea [it is],” he teased reporters.
“Doctor Who” returns on Saturday, Sept. 19 on BBC America, marking titular star Peter Capaldi’s second season as the iconic Time Lord.
The first season of “Doctor Who” with Capaldi in the title role wound up being the highest-rated season of the series on BBC America. Overall, the season averaged 2.035 million viewers in Live + 3 Day ratings.
Along with Williams, the new season will also feature Tom Stourton, Ariyon Bakare, Simon Lipkin, Ian Conningham, Murray McArthur, Barnaby Kay, John Voce and Struan Rodger.
39 Spoiler-Tastic 'Doctor Who' 50th Anniversary Special Photos
The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith), the 10th Doctor (David Tennant), and the War Doctor (John Hurt)
Clara (Jenna Coleman) and the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
The War Doctor (John Hurt) and Rose Tyler (Billie Piper)
Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
John Hurt as The War Doctor
The Day of the Doctor, John Hurt, the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith), and the 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith) and the 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
John Hurt as the War Doctor
The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
The War Doctor (John Hurt) and Clara (Jenna Coleman)
The War Doctor (John Hurt)
The War Doctor (John Hurt)
An ominous message
The 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
Clara (Jenna Coleman) and the Doctor (Matt Smith)
Clara (Jenna Coleman) and the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
The War Doctor (John Hurt)
Clara (Jenna Coleman) and the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
The 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith) and the 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith) and the 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
The 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
Queen Elizabeth (Joanna Page)
A Zygon
The War Doctor (John Hurt), the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith), the 10th Doctor (David Tennant), Clara (Jenna Coleman), and Queen Elizabeth (Joanna Page)
The 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
The 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and the War Doctor (John Hurt)
Clara (Jenna Coleman)
The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith) and unidentified character
The 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
The War Doctor (John Hurt), the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith) and the 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
The 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and Queen Elizabeth (Joanna Page)
The 10th Doctor (David Tennant)
The War Doctor (John Hurt)
Clara (Jenna Coleman) and UNIT's Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave)
The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith)
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Three Doctors collide on “The Day of the Doctor,” simulcast worldwide on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2:50 p.m. ET on BBC America. Spoilers ahead!
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The 11th Doctor (Matt Smith), the 10th Doctor (David Tennant), and the War Doctor (John Hurt)