Ruby Sunday Makes a Surprising Cameo in Doctor Who, Hinting at Her True Role in Season 15

Warning: spoilers ahead for Doctor Who’s “Joy to the World.”

Ruby Sunday’s recent appearance in Doctor Who hints at potential developments for Millie Gibson’s character. She made her debut in the 2023 Christmas special, “The Church on Ruby Road,”serving as the primary companion to Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor throughout season 14. The series invested in Ruby’s narrative, particularly surrounding the mystery of her mother’s identity. However, subsequent reports indicated that Gibson would be succeeded by Varada Sethu in Doctor Who season 15.

As season 14 concludes, Ruby departs the TARDIS after a heartfelt reunion with her estranged mother. This leads us into the 2024 Christmas special, “Joy to the World,”where the Doctor navigates his solo journey, often lost in thoughts of Ruby—preparing two drinks, gazing longingly at a phone, and so forth. Interestingly, Millie Gibson appears briefly, wistfully looking out from a window before a call from her mother interrupts her reverie. Although her presence is fleeting, it hints at her future involvement in season 15 of Doctor Who.

Insights into Ruby Sunday’s Future

Ruby’s Role Has Sparked Speculation

The status of Millie Gibson’s character in Doctor Who remains a subject of considerable discussion. Although an official announcement from the BBC validated initial reports about Sethu joining as a companion for season 15, it clarified that she will join rather than replace Ruby Sunday. The statement emphasized, “He [the Doctor] will have two companions by his side as Varada Sethu steps aboard the TARDIS,” suggesting Sethu would join the existing duo, expanding their dynamic.

Past Modern Companions	Doctor
Rose (Billie Piper)	Nine/Ten
Martha (Freema Agyeman)	Ten
Donna (Catherine Tate)	Ten
Amy Pond (Karen Gillan)	Eleven
Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman)	Eleven/Twelve
Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie)	Twelve
Nardole (Matt Lucas)	Twelve
Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill)	Thirteen
Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole)	Thirteen
Graham O’Brien (Bradley Walsh)	Thirteen
Dan Lewis (John Bishop)	Thirteen

Nevertheless, Ruby’s departure from the Doctor at the end of season 14 seemed to signify a firm conclusion to her adventures. Showrunner Russell T Davies emphasized that Ruby’s return is forthcoming but added, “This is a pause… She [Ruby] couldn’t get all that information about her family, and all that emotional overload, and run off in the TARDIS.” While Millie Gibson will certainly appear in season 15, the specifics of her role and whether she will assume the position of a permanent companion remain uncertain.

With the events leading to Ruby’s exit and RTD’s insights, there’s a chance she might take on a lesser role moving forward. Varada Sethu’s character might fulfill the primary companion role, with Ruby shifting into a more sporadic presence akin to Captain Jack or Rory Williams, occasionally participating without being a constant fixture. However, it is also plausible that enough time will elapse in-universe, allowing Ruby to reunite with the Doctor in the upcoming season, thus returning to the classic two-companion dynamic reminiscent of past eras in the series.

Ruby Sunday’s Cameo Indicates a Shift in Role

Ruby: A Retired Hero in Season 15?

Ruby Sunday in front of the TARDIS in The Church on Ruby Road - Doctor Who Christmas Special 2023

Ruby Sunday’s cameo in the 2024 Christmas special strongly indicates that Millie Gibson may have a part-time role in season 15. Throughout “Joy to the World,”Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor continually pines for Ruby, yet he refrains from reaching out. If the intention was to smoothly reintroduce Ruby as a companion, a simple phone call during the Christmas special inviting her back would have reinforced that transition.

The episode portrays Ruby as having embraced her life away from the TARDIS, receiving a call from her mother which suggests she is moving forward, keeping true to her promise to reconnect with family. Ruby appears content, reminiscing about her time with the Doctor but with no regrets about her departure.

This raises questions about whether Ruby will contradict her arc by reintegrating into the Doctor’s journey alongside a new companion, creating a trio. It seems more plausible that she will become involved in the Doctor’s circumstances almost by chance. While the mystery of her mother’s identity may unfold, Ruby’s engagement appears rooted in her new life, making her potential return a chance encounter driven by the narrative rather than a direct resurrection of her companion status.

Hints That Ruby Sunday’s Journey Is Not Finished

Doctor Who Is Not Done with Ruby Yet

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas Special Nicola Coughlan and Ncuti Gatwa as Joy and the Fifteenth Doctor

While Ruby Sunday’s likelihood of becoming a staple in Doctor Who season 15 appears to be dwindling, her cameo in “Joy to the World”underscores her relevance. Had there been no intention to maintain Ruby’s narrative, her absence from the Christmas special would have been simpler. Instead, her inclusion implies that Doctor Who intends to keep her story alive, whether with a minor role or a significant storyline ahead.

The scene involving Ruby seems designed to ensure audiences remember her importance in future arcs, possibly suggesting that she holds keys to unraveling lingering mysteries, like that of Mrs. Flood. The decision to spotlight her character points toward an upcoming significant plotline, hinting at unresolved issues that will require her participation.

Potential Role of Ruby Sunday in Season 15

Imminent Flood of Mysteries

Mrs. Flood remains shrouded in enigma after her introduction in season 14. Portrayed by Anita Dobson, she possesses expansive cosmic knowledge and appears to have a deeper connection to the Doctor than previously revealed. Her character unfolds subtly, with glimpses of a darker nature surfacing around Ruby’s family.

Given that Cherry Sunday is perhaps the only character aware of Mrs. Flood’s complexities, if Ruby were to uncover her grandmother’s insights, a conversation with the Doctor might lead to her rejoining him on the TARDIS for the mysteries to follow.

Various avenues exist for Ruby’s involvement in the new season, including familial ties that could be instrumental in unfolding narratives. For instance, her father could play a critical role or her knowledge about future events may intertwine with other storylines from season 14.

Doctor Who season 15’s release is anticipated around May 2025, as hinted by Russell T Davies. The series has previously seen companions return for various reasons—be it urgent warnings or unfinished business—indicating that Ruby’s return could happen through similar plot devices, even if her role is less prominent than before.

In conclusion, while Ruby may not be traveling alongside the Doctor weekly, her journey feels far from over, suggesting rich opportunities for character development and plot engagement in future episodes.

Sources: TheBigIssue

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