In 2006, Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) materialised in the TARDIS and transformed the future of Doctor Who for ever.
At the time, Tate felt like a wildcard for the choice of David Tennant’s companion, a comedian swerving into the cult sci-fi sphere. No one could have predicted the endless heart, infectious energy and life she breathed into the show, as the fiery, funny, endearingly ordinary Donna.
Fifteen years later, Tate has reunited with Tennant and with writer Russell T Davies for three 60th anniversary specials, which conclude this weekend. They have felt like Doctor Who at its very best. And along with making us feel nostalgic, and reminding us of the much-missed brilliance of Tennant, they’ve confirmed that Donna is still the Doctor’s best – and most popular – contemporary companion. Why?
Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler has a special place in Whovian hearts after her whirlwind romance with the Doctor, which came to an emotional end in the series two finale, Doomsday. Sadly though, the east Londoner far too often slipped into stereotypes. She seemed a bit like a magician’s assistant, dressed in skimpy skirts and batting her eyelids at the Doctor to persuade him to follow her lead. Despite the chemistry she had with the Doctor – first Christopher Eccleston, then Tennant – the romantic narrative was a distraction. It felt weak.
As the Doctor entered a period of mourning after Rose, Dr Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) arrived. Packed with potential to shake-up the show with her intelligence, empathy and charm, Martha could have been a true partner. Unfortunately, instead, she fell in love with him. Their series together was uncomfortable to watch. Instead of relishing in the remarkable ride through time and space, Martha pined and whined over a man who didn’t love her back.
Romantic relationships created a power imbalance between the Doctor and his companion that ate away at the charm of this programme – its wild wackiness.
When Donna arrived, though, things changed. The platonic love she had for the Doctor was so strong the duo merged to become the ultimate human-Time Lord hybrid to save the world as the Doctor Donna, forging a unique bond that the Doctor had never shared with a human before – even Rose. It provided a template for future partnerships to follow, as seen with the Doctor and his friendship with Amy Pond (Karen Gillian) and later Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman).
There’s something about Tate that makes Donna compelling to watch: in every exchange she oscillates from excitement to fury and heartache with subtlety and ease. But what really sets her apart from the other companions is her independence.
During her time apart from the Doctor, Donna had a full, rich life.
She has said in these new episodes that she sensed the absence of something “lovely”, but was happy with her family – her husband, and daughter Rose. The Doctor is a source of support, advice and love – and they share an openness that allows him to discuss everything from his fears to his sexuality and past loves without any awkwardness or judgement. But he has never been the “other half” on whom Donna relies for her identity.
That’s the meaning of companionship, isn’t it? No sidekicks, no sexual tension. Donna Noble set the benchmark. Here’s hoping that when Ncuti Gatwa takes over for the new series on Christmas Day, his companion Ruby (Millie Gibson) follows her lead.