Maisie Williams Isn’t A Returning Character

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

There’s been a lot of speculation over Maisie Williams’ role in Doctor Who Series 9. And showrunner, Steven Moffat is here to stoke the flames a little.

The actress, most famous for playing Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, will be in the probably-linked serials, The Girl Who Died and The Woman Who Lived, and many think she’ll likely to turn out to be the Doctor, granddaughter, Susan, previously played Carole Ann Ford opposite William Hartnell’s First Doctor. But Moffat says not so:

“It’s not Susan. [And] It’s not his daughter [Jenny from The Doctor’s Daughter].”

Indeed, he confirmed:

“Once you see what she’s up to you’ll appreciate what a clever idea [the role] was. It’s a significant role. We’re not just getting star value and doing nothing with it. She is a brand new character, not someone from the Doctor’s past, unless I’m lying.”

Uhm, so he could be lying. We don’t know. Personally, I don’t think she’s a returning character, but then again, Moffat has a history of lying. But if she really were Susan, I can’t see a reason (bar, perhaps, death – but even then, what about regeneration?) she wouldn’t travel in the TARDIS again (yet she’s only been seen filming these two episodes). Therefore, I think a one-off is most likely.

After she cropped up in the trailer, speculation was rife. We even mused on a few possibilities. At least the “she’s the Rani!” rumours haven’t gained ground this year…

I can’t help thinking that after all these rumblings, her character will be a bit of a disappointment: that’s not a reflection on Maisie or the crew involved, but once you think she’s going to be Susan or something, her turning out to be a “significant” but nonetheless limited role will be somewhat anticlimactic to some.

But what do you think? Is Moffat lying? Do you want him to be lying? Or is it better she just works in the one story?

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