Doctor Who star hits out at fans over exit criticism and says 'it's unfair'
Doctor Who star Varada Sethu, has hit back at fans who have criticised her exit from the BBC show.
The actress, 33, played companion Belinda Chandra in the long-running sci-fi programme throughout the fifteen series but left the show when the latest series wrapped up at the end of May. In the dramatic finale, the titular Time Lord (Ncuti Gatwa) sacrificed himself to bring their daughter Poppy back into a kind of reality where she only exists as Belinda's child, not his, so they said goodbye.
Despite being met with mostly positive feedback, Varada has now claimed that it is 'unfair' for some fans to to have taken umbrage with the way she was written out, telling MTV UK:"I feel like the majority - it was so much love. Reactions that always make me laugh… it's a bit unfair because I think the writing was beautiful. It think it was tied up in a way that was perfect, I cannot think of a better way of completing that circle.
"But it's always like, 'Oh, I can't believe I won't get to see Belinda'. It's a frustration that comes from people loving Belinda so much that they're like, 'I can't believe I don't get more.'"
Varada, who previously starred in Star Wars: Andor before landing the coveted role of the doctor's companion, thinks that her character's story was 'beautifully tied up' despite the negative reaction it received from some viewers of the series. And just days after the finale had aired, she took to social media to insist that she had only had a positive experience on set. She wrote on Instagram: "Wow wow wow wow wow. I'm sooo late to the party (as always), but needed to take a few days to process this show, this finale and everything & everyone it has brought into my life, what it all means. My heart has doubled in size. I have felt so so full of gratitude and love, I still feel I haven't found the words to express it. It has been a true gift to know a woman like Belinda, I will never forget our journey together."
Praising her co-stars, she continued by writing: "Thank you [Ncuti] for being my partner in crime, my beloved Doctor. You are unending, pure magic, what a privilege it's been to bear witness to it. Mom & Dad forever. My sweet angel [ Millie Gibson ], thank you for your kindness, for always lifting me up, you have stolen everyone's hearts!! I cannot wait to see what life has in store for you."
Varada then expressed gratitude for some colleagues who worked behind-the-scenes. She wrote: "For teaching me and showing me love & support like I've never known before." She added in the post this week: "Thank you to every beautiful soul involved in this madness."
She concluded: "And of course to the beautiful fans, thank you soooo much for embracing Belinda, for all the kind words, all the joy! I think I finally understand what you meant [ Russell T. Davies ] when you said my life would never be the same. I feel transformed. Thank you thank you thank you."
Earlier this year, Ncuti addressed his own departure from Doctor Who. During the episode, titled The Reality War, the Fifteenth Doctor regenerated – showing Billie Piper in his place. In a video message shared by the BBC, Ncuti said: "It's a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals."
Ncuti, who also reflected on the experience elsewhere in the video, released on Saturday, added: "I would love to have the energy and the youth to be able to do this full time for the rest of my life, but my knees are telling me it's time."
And in a statement, he said: "You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever."
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