Doctor Who Veteran Casts Doubt on Billie Piper's Potential Regeneration
In a surprising twist for Whovians, legendary Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston has publicly expressed her disbelief about recent regeneration speculation surrounding former companion Billie Piper. The actress, famous for her portrayal of the enigmatic River Song, made her scepticism clear during an exclusive interview at the prestigious Radio Times Covers Party 2026.
"I Don't Buy That She's the Next Doctor"
Speaking candidly to RadioTimes.com, the 62-year-old actress revealed her reaction to the dramatic cliffhanger that saw Ncuti Gatwa's Time Lord apparently regenerate into returning star Billie Piper. "I didn't see the Billie Piper twist coming at all," Kingston admitted. "To be perfectly honest, I still don't quite believe it because she's not a Gallifreyan, she's a human."
The actress elaborated on her doubts with characteristic directness: "I think there's some playing going on here. But I don't buy that she's the next Doctor, and if she is, they're gonna have to work hard to convince me, because she's not a Gallifreyan!" This fundamental question about Time Lord biology presents a significant narrative challenge for the show's writers should Piper's character indeed become the Fourteenth Doctor.
From Companion to Potential Time Lord?
Billie Piper, now 43, originally captured audiences' hearts as Rose Tyler, companion to Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor during the show's celebrated 2005 revival. Her character's deep connection with the Doctor and subsequent parallel universe adventures made her one of the most beloved companions in the series' sixty-year history. Her recent surprise return has sparked intense speculation about whether she might transition from companion to Time Lord herself.
The regeneration mystery remains tightly guarded by the BBC, with fans eagerly debating whether Piper's appearance represents a genuine regeneration, an elaborate illusion, or something entirely unexpected within the Whoniverse's complex mythology.
River Song's Potential Return
When questioned about whether Piper's return might pave the way for her own character's comeback, Kingston revealed she has never truly left the role of River Song. "I haven't really stopped being River because I do so many audio recordings and boxsets of her journeys with the Doctors, but also she has her own River Song Diaries," she explained.
The actress expressed enthusiastic willingness to return to the television series, stating: "Would I like to come back? 100 per cent. It's nothing but sheer joy when you work on Doctor Who." She even suggested creative possibilities for River's return, noting: "I've actually even said that I believe that, because she's been saved in a computer program, she could come back in a computer program. She could 3D print herself. She could hack into any computer in the universe and cause mayhem."
Kingston added thoughtfully: "I just feel like there's a lot of opportunity if they wanted to go down that route. But maybe they feel like that's the end of that character. But never say never!"
Beyond the TARDIS
Alex Kingston's recent television appearance saw her trading time travel for ballroom glamour as a contestant on the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe, she delivered several high-scoring performances before becoming the tenth celebrity eliminated. Her departure followed a Cha Cha dance-off against EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, with Kingston's performance reportedly hindered by a painful injury.
As the debate about Billie Piper's potential regeneration continues to divide the Doctor Who fandom, Alex Kingston's sceptical perspective adds another fascinating layer to one of British television's most enduring mysteries. With the show's future direction remaining tightly under wraps, viewers must wait to discover whether Piper's return represents a genuine regeneration or an elaborate narrative feint by the series' creative team.
