Doctor Who's Bonnie Langford hints at reason for Mel's return
Langford spoke about her return as Mel in an interview with Doctor Who Magazine.
For Doctor Who fans, there's a lot to look forward to right now: the returns for David Tennant and Catherine Tate; the arrival of Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson; all of those incredible guest stars who have already been announced for upcoming episodes.
However, perhaps one of the most highly anticipated on-screen appearances has to be the one coming from Bonnie Langford, who is reprising her role as Mel Bush after her time as a companion in the 1980s and a brief cameo in last year's The Power of the Doctor.
Langford's cameo was so brief last year that fans didn't really get a chance to find out anything about where Mel has been since we last saw her, what she's been doing, or why she could be returning now. However, speaking in this month's issue of Doctor Who Magazine, Langford has now given fans the slightest of hints as to what we can expect.
She said: "[Mel] felt she had to stop travelling the universe and actually, literally, get back to down to Earth and face the things she's been running away from."
So, what is it that Mel has been running away from? And how will her return factor into Ncuti Gatwa's debut season? For now, all we can do is wait to find out.
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In the same interview, Langford also reacted to her cameo in The Power of the Doctor, saying that she saw some of the fan reaction: "And people were saying, 'I cried! I cried when the companions were all there, sitting around,' and I thought, my God, if only they knew what’s coming!"
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After Langford's return was first announced, Seventh Doctor star Sylvester McCoy reacted exclusively to RadioTimes.com, saying: "I’m sure she won’t mind my stating [that] when she was with me, the production underused Bonnie. She has shined brightly since the Big Finish Doctor Who stories she recorded with Colin [Baker] and I.
"How brilliant it will be for us all to see how bright beautiful Bonnie can be in Who. She was bloody marvellous in EastEnders!"
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Doctor Who Magazine #595 is on sale from today, Thursday 14th September 2023.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
