Sparkling RUBY

MILLIE GIBSON on her journey from Weatherfield to the Whoniverse

-  STEVEN PERKINS

DOCTOR WHO SATURDAY, 6.50PM, BBC1 SCI-FI

Starring in BBC1's sci-fi epic Doctor Who is a real pinch-me moment for Millie Gibson.

'It still doesn't feel real,' smiles the 19-year-old star, as TV Times joins her for a cup of tea at a London hotel for an exclusive interview about her first full series in the TARDIS as companion Ruby Sunday alongside Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor. 'I used to sit on the sofa with my dad and watch the show, and now kids will be watching me in it - that brings me so much joy!'

The past couple of years have been a whirlwind for Millie. Just weeks after leaving ITV soap Coronation Street onscreen following three years on the cobbles as troubled teen Kelly Neelan, her casting as Ruby was announced on Children in Need in November 2022, cementing her place in TV history as well as propelling her to international fame thanks to Disney+ becoming the show's new global home.

But the actor remains delightfully down to earth during our chat, as she happily tells us about the new eight-part run, which launched last week with a double bill comprising stories Space Babies and The Devil's Chord and continues this Saturday with tale Boom, which revolves around a visit to a war-torn alien planet.

Here, Millie reveals why Ruby is proving a gem of a role...

You made your first appearance as Ruby in 2023 Christmas Day adventure The Church on Ruby Road. Did you tune in?

Yes, we ended up gathering around the TV – just me and my close family – and it was so magical. I think it helped that we’d already had a premiere screening of the episode, which my mum and dad came to, so that took some of the pressure off. It was mainly just my nana being the biggest critic, but she really liked it! It was a lovely day, I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.