Why Doctor Who's New Spinoff Doesn't Have Ex-Companions Working For UNIT When it was announced that the long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who would be getting a brand-new spinoff series, fans were understandably excited. The new show, titled UNIT: The New Series, would focus on the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT), a military organization that has had a close relationship with the Doctor over the decades. Given UNIT's history of employing former companions of the Doctor, many expected to see some familiar faces return. However, the creative team behind UNIT: The New Series made the surprising decision not to feature any ex-companions in the new show. This was a deliberate choice, according to the showrunner, who cited a desire to establish the spinoff as a distinct entity within the Doctor Who universe. "We wanted UNIT: The New Series to have its own identity, rather than just being a continuation of past stories," explained the showrunner in a recent interview. "While the connections to Doctor Who are important, we felt it was crucial to develop a new set of characters and storylines that could stand on their own." The decision not to include former companions marks a significant departure from UNIT's portrayal in classic Doctor Who. During the tenures of the Third and Fourth Doctors, played by Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker respectively, UNIT was a regular presence, with characters like Liz Shaw and Harry Sullivan joining the Doctor in his adventures. Liz Shaw, a scientist employed by UNIT, was a companion to the Third Doctor, while Harry Sullivan, a medical officer, joined the Fourth Doctor for a time. Both characters were initially part of UNIT before becoming integral members of the Doctor's TARDIS crew. "UNIT was always a way for the Doctor to interact with a wider organization and cast of characters beyond just his immediate companions," explains Dr. Sarah Jane Tulloch, a professor of television studies. "Having those UNIT members join the Doctor on his travels helped to expand the world of the show and introduce new perspectives." However, as the show progressed, the relationship between the Doctor and UNIT evolved. By the time of the Fifth Doctor's era in the 1980s, the two entities had begun to drift apart, with the Doctor becoming more of a lone wolf, reluctant to work closely with UNIT. "The Doctor's distrust of authority figures and institutions like UNIT started to become more pronounced in the later years," Tulloch notes. "This created a natural separation between the Time Lord and the organization he had once worked so closely with." With the new UNIT spinoff series, the showrunners have opted to capitalize on this more distant relationship, focusing instead on a new generation of UNIT operatives and their own unique challenges. "We wanted to explore UNIT's evolution and the changing nature of its relationship with the Doctor," the showrunner revealed. "By not including former companions, we're able to tell fresh stories that aren't beholden to past continuity." This approach has been met with a mixed response from fans. Some have expressed disappointment at the lack of familiar faces, while others are intrigued by the opportunity to discover new characters and storylines. "I can understand the desire to establish UNIT: The New Series as its own thing," said longtime Doctor Who fan, Sarah Winters. "But a part of me was hoping to see some of the classic companions return, even if just in a guest capacity. It would have been nice to have that connection to the broader franchise." Others, however, see the decision as a chance to breathe new life into the UNIT concept. "I'm actually quite excited by the prospect of a UNIT series that isn't solely focused on its relationship with the Doctor," said fan Alex Bennet. "It opens up so many narrative possibilities, and we might get to see UNIT tackle threats and challenges that the Doctor isn't directly involved in." Indeed, the showrunner has hinted that UNIT: The New Series will explore the organization's global reach and the unique challenges it faces in a rapidly changing world. "UNIT has always been about more than just the Doctor," the showrunner explained. "They're an international organization tasked with protecting the Earth from extraterrestrial threats, and that's a story we're eager to tell in depth." With no former companions in sight, the new UNIT series will instead introduce a fresh ensemble of characters, including a new commanding officer, a tech specialist, and a team of field operatives. The showrunner has promised that these characters will be just as compelling and engaging as the Doctor's iconic companions. "We want the audience to become invested in this new team, to care about their personal stories and see them grow and evolve over the course of the series," the showrunner said. "They may not have the same history with the Doctor, but they'll certainly have their own unique perspectives and challenges to contend with." As the launch of UNIT: The New Series draws closer, fans are torn between their desire for familiar faces and their curiosity about the fresh direction the spinoff will take. It remains to be seen whether the decision to forgo ex-companions will pay off, but the showrunner is confident that the new series will capture the spirit of Doctor Who while carving out its own distinctive path. "This is a chance for us to expand the world of Doctor Who in exciting new ways," the showrunner concluded. "We hope that by focusing on UNIT's own story, we can give viewers a new and engaging entry point into this beloved franchise."