Pearl Mackie is definitely returning to Doctor Who as Bill Potts, absolutely, no further questions please, although yes, she might come back as the Doctor instead, thanks for asking. At least, that’s what other media outlets are reporting, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Pearl was asked whether she’d be up for coming back to the show, and she said:

“It was a couple of years ago I was on Doctor Who but I do still feel really close to Bill and I do feel like she’s still very much part of me. And I feel like I’d sort of have to miss her before going back to her again, or if there was an amazing story that was written about her and her experiences and meeting another Doctor. But it’s such a great show and I would be crazy to say no.”

Somehow, some have interpreted that to mean she’s coming back as the Doctor’s lovable companion, Bill. She’s not, just for the record.

Nonetheless, Pearl went on to enthuse about the lockdown rewatch project, which involves fans rewatching certain episodes at the same time and tweeting along. Pearl said:

“It is like a huge family that keeps growing; it keeps getting passed down. I had loads of tweets and Instagram messages following those watchalongs of people saying like, ‘Yeah I’m watching the whole thing again and I’m just remembering how much I love it.’ And I think it’s so nice that people can do that!”

Bill would always be welcome as far as I’m concerned, so it’s heartening to hear Pearl talk about the character with such warmth.

Bill joined the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) for Series 10, and was last seen in Twice Upon A Time. And man, she is much missed…