Doctor Who, the classic BBC television series scheduled to return to the airwaves in 2005 with new episodes (see 'The BBC Revives Doctor Who'), will have a modernized action heroine-type female companion.
 

Russell T. Davies, the writer and executive producer of the new series, told TV Times that 'We've got Buffy the Vampire Slayer now, so a screaming girly companion would be laughed out of the room.'  He went on to say that Doctor Who's sidekick, whose name will probably be Rose Tyler, will no longer be just a glamorous addition to the adventures.

 

Davies promises a loveable 'same old Doctor Who' facing death and danger from 'brand new' monsters throughout the universe and history with his flying Tardis.

 

Doctor Who, having been the longest running science fiction television show in history, has generated numerous licensed products (for example, see 'Diamond Signs the Doctor'), and will likely spawn more when the new show airs.

 

Meanwhile, the search is still on for the actor who will be the new Doctor Who.