Since the start of Jodie Whittaker's tenure on Doctor Who, the Thirteenth Doctor has been accompanied by the same three companions: Graham, Ryan and Yaz. However, the Doctor and her "fam's" run came to an end in the series' last episode, "Revolution of the Daleks." At the end of the 2021 New Year's Day special, both Graham and Ryan decided it was time for them to move on, leaving only Yaz as the Doctor's current companion. But the two of them won't be on their own for long. Indeed, the series teased the arrival of John Bishop's Dan, who was slated to become the Doctor's next companion.As the premiere of Season 13 has approached, teasers and first looks have shown bits and pieces of Dan in action alongside the Doctor and Yaz, but fans still didn't know what sort of character he was going to be. Now, BBC has released the first clip of the season premiere of Doctor Who: Flux, and it introduces viewers to Dan and instantly shows he will be a great fit in the TARDIS.
A little less than a week before the start of Season 13, the social media channels of Doctor Who have released a clip from the premiere, "The Halloween Apocalypse." In the video, fans find Dan, a Liverpool-based plasterer, on Halloween night. He answers a ring at the door to find three children expecting candy, and he is all too happy to give them the sweet treats. After he closes the door, a second knock comes and Dan answers. However, this time, he doesn't find children trick or treating -- instead, a large, costume-less and inebriated grown man is hoping to get some candy of his own.
As soon as he meets this unexpected visitor, Dan tells the man off, refusing to give in to his demands by pointing out that he is both an adult and not wearing a costume. Dan puts his foot down and refuses to give in, even if the man is holding a carton of eggs as a threat. The future companion humorously tells the man not to throw the eggs at his house before closing the door, immediately showing his strength of character.
It's a brief scene and something relatively simple in the monster-infested world of Doctor Who, but it's a strong showcase for Dan's personality, and it's all fans need to see to know that Dan will make a welcome addition to the TARDIS console room. For the past two seasons, some have complained that the Doctor's companions didn't get enough time to shine and develop, but it appears that won't be the case for Dan. In just a very short scene, one can already understand what kind of character he is and the energy he will bring to the Doctor's team.
Dan has a fatherly quality to him, and he isn't one that can be pushed around. Of course, Dan will surely be thrown in the deep end when he begins to travel across space and time, but someone like him is exactly what the Doctor needs right now. After all, the Thirteenth Doctor has gone through some rough changes -- she's discovered she is not really who she thinks she is and said goodbye to two close friends. Dan appears to be a steady pillar, and he will surely be incredibly useful, both as emotional support and as an assistant, as the Doctor's world continues to unravel with the arrival of the Flux.
To see how Dan will join the Doctor and Yaz aboard the TARDIS, catch Doctor Who: Flux on BBC America starting Oct. 31.