Belinda Chandra has proven to be one of the more polarizing companions in Doctor Who history. Known for her boldness in challenging the Doctor, Belinda left a strong impression. However, her departure sparked debate among fans, with many feeling her character was underutilized, a sentiment not shared by actor Varada Sethu.
Speaking with MTV UK, Sethu addressed the backlash surrounding Belinda’s send-off, saying she believed the criticism was “unfair.” She praised the way Belinda’s arc concluded, stating, “I think the writing was beautiful. I think it was tied up in a way that was perfect, I cannot think of a better way of completing that circle.”
Although she stood by the writing, Sethu acknowledged fan disappointment. “But it’s always like, ‘Oh, I can’t believe I won’t get to see Belinda [again],’” she added. “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.’”
Belinda’s storyline came under fire for leaning into outdated tropes. In one major twist, after being trapped in an artificial reality by the Rani (played by Archie Panjabi), she became the mother of a girl named Poppy. Initially revealed to be an illusion, Poppy disappeared only for the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) to bend the rules of reality and bring her back, this time as Belinda’s real, biological daughter.
Critics argued this plot development forced motherhood upon Belinda, despite her focus on her nursing career and no prior signs of wanting a child. Despite the controversy, Sethu expressed only gratitude for the role. On Instagram after the Season 2 finale, she shared, “It has been a true gift to know a woman like Belinda, I will never forget our journey together.”
Meanwhile, Doctor Who faces an uncertain future. With the apparent end of its Disney+ streaming partnership after two seasons, the show’s next home remains undecided. Showrunner Russell T Davies commented in Doctor Who Magazine, “We don’t know what’s happening yet.”
However, signs suggest the show will return. BBC Commercial CEO Tom Fussell recently stated, “The BBC and Disney haven’t made a decision yet. When they do, they’ll announce it. There’s no point me speculating on it. But Doctor Who is a much-loved brand by everyone in BBC Studios, and we love being part of that story.”
Doctor Who is currently available to stream on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.