The latest teaser for the next season of Doctor Who, released by Disney+ and the BBC, reveals an unexpected new addition to the show’s roster: Mr. Ring-A-Ding, a rubber-limbed cartoon character who emerges from a movie screen, sending the audience into a panic.
While Mr. Ring-A-Ding isn’t actually the Doctor’s new permanent companion, he will appear in a special episode. The Doctor’s main companion will be Belinda Chandra, a young girl the Doctor has promised to return to her homeworld. Ruby Sunday, the current companion, will also return for the upcoming season. However, fans can expect Mr. Ring-A-Ding to make his brief but memorable debut.
Mr. Ring-A-Ding is described as a cheerful, singing cartoon who lives in the animated world of Sunny Town with his friend, Sunshine Sally. But when the character, who had been shown in 1952-era cinema repeats, becomes aware of the real world, the consequences are anything but lighthearted. Actor Alan Cumming provides the voice for this unusual character.
Showrunner Russell T. Davies praised Cumming’s performance, saying, “Only Alan Cumming could give a runaway cartoon so much wit, malice, danger, and fun. He makes the whole Doctor Who universe wilder and madder than ever, and it’s an absolute honor to welcome him on board the TARDIS.”
Doctor Who is undergoing a soft reboot with a bigger budget, a deal with Disney+, and the return of key figures from the show’s successful late-2000s revival, including Davies and actor David Tennant for a few episodes. Despite these efforts, Doctor Who has yet to meet the viewership expectations Disney+ had hoped for, which has led to uncertainty about the future. The BBC has yet to announce the holiday special for this year, as they await the reception of the current season before making further plans.
Mr. Ring-A-Ding’s appearance is a playful nod to the show’s creative possibilities, taking advantage of the current budget to integrate a fully animated character into live-action footage. Doctor Who returns on Saturday, April 12, on Disney+.
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