By now, we all know that Jodie Whittaker is the Thirteenth Doctor and preparing for her first full series of Doctor Who later this year. However, who will be joining her as her companions? We got an answer back in October, but much mystery continues to surround her new friends, who will be played by - at least - Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill. So, what do we know about them?

The Doctor Who family gets several new additions

In a BBC press release detailed by Radio Times, the head writer and executive producer of the new series, Chris Chibnall, said: "The new Doctor is going to need new friends. We're thrilled to welcome Mandip, Tosin and Bradley to the Doctor Who family."

He added that his team "can't wait to see them dive into brand new adventures with Jodie's Doctor" and that Sharon D Clarke - whose credits include portraying Lola Griffin in Holby City - will also be on the show. However, Chibnall's wording leaves it unclear whether she will be a friend or foe of the Doctor - and public reaction to the other three additions to the cast hasn't been universally positive.

What's in a name... or three?

One sore point among fans has been Chibnall's perceived preference for soap actors. One comment seen by Metro writer James Baldock sniped that the cast comprised "Mum, Dad and their two adopted kids". Meanwhile, the cast's ethnic diversity provoked the charge of political correctness.

However, we can't help but think that these disgruntled fans are getting their knives out too early. Chibnall has called the actors behind the confirmed companions  "three of Britain's brightest talents", while very little is currently known about the actual characters besides their names; Bradley, Mandip and Tosin will play, respectively, Graham, Yasmin and Ryan.

A Doctor Who family in more ways than one?

Nonetheless, Clarke has let slip a small but crucial detail about Bradley's character. In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends and cited by Radio Times, Clarke revealed: "I am a human, and Bradley Walsh is my husband, and he's human, and I think that's about as much as I can tell you."

Well, it might not strictly be true that this was "about as much as I can tell you". She might have actually revealed too much. Clarke acknowledged this, cracking: "I'm not sure if I can even tell you that, to be honest! I might have to kill you."

Nonetheless, this little revelation is bound to help fuel further speculation about the new characters. Radio Times mentions sources who have cited "family" as the watchword for Chibnall's approach to Doctor Who. This suggests that Yasmin and Ryan, too, might have familial associations with Graham. Could they be children of his - perhaps from past relationships?

One thing we do know for sure is that this “new” formula for companions isn’t much of a leap from the early days of Doctor Who, in which The Doctor travelled alongside his granddaughter Susan, and 2 of her school teachers, Ian and Barbara.

Whatever the new companions will be like, you can expect to see them commonly featuring on products that arrive into our stock here at The Who Shop. Keep a close eye on our product listings...