Billie Piper Says Rose Tyler Would Still Be In Love With A Female Doctor

In one fell swoop, the Powers That Be made history earlier this summer by announcing Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor in Doctor Who.

It’s a casting milestone that had been long on the cards – at one point, Han Solo actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge emerged as the out-and-out frontrunner – and this Christmas, we’ll see Peter Capaldi hand over the keys to the TARDIS in the festive-themed “Twice Upon a Time.”

Of course, ever since the announcement that Whittaker would be portraying the character, a number of people involved with the sci-fi series, both past and present, have congratulated the actress – including Peter Capaldi, Colin Baker, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. Now, Billie Piper has chimed in to give her thoughts, offering up quite a bit for fans to chew on.

For starters, during an appearance at DragCon, the actress revealed that she thinks her character on the show, Rose Tyler, would still have romantic feelings for the Doctor even though the Time Lord will soon be a female. Of course, Rose hasn’t appeared on Doctor Who in many, many years now, and as far as we know, there are no plans to include her in season 11. So unfortunately, we’ll never get to see this particular relationship come to fruition. Or at least, it doesn’t look like we will.

That wasn’t all Piper had to offer, though, as at a separate event, Fan Expo Canada, she touched on the dynamic between the next companion and this new Doctor.

“I think it’ll bring something totally different.” Piper explained. “And I think that in whatever capacity, if they’re going to save the world and travel through time, they’re gonna have to have a strong allegiance. I think this is just the beginning of something really exciting.”

Finally, the actress elaborated further on the relationship between Jodie Whittaker’s Time Lord and whoever she ends up travelling with, saying:

“It’s not going to be traditional, it’s going to be more modern, and progressive, but it’ll always have the same. It’ll always be about needing each other, regardless of whether the Doctor is a girl, or a guy, or a cat. That’s next. The next Doctor is a cat. So, you know, I think it’s always going to be a beautiful, unique [thing] in whatever shape or size. I’m desperate to read those scripts. Oh my god.”

Doctor Who will be back on our screens thanks to the 2017 Christmas Special, “Twice Upon a Time,” which will simultaneously usher in Jodie Whittaker as the Time Lord and bid farewell to Peter Capaldi, who’s set to hang up his hat for good this festive season. Not only that, but if recent rumors are to be believed, we may be seeing Coleman back on the show as well, as she’s said to be returning to help see Capaldi off.

That remains unconfirmed, but for a taste of what’s to come, be sure to check out the trailer for “Twice Upon a Time” below.