K9 and Company
Word’s out. They’ll be bringing back Sarah Jane Smith (a Doctor Who companion from the 1970s) in the new series. She’s generally considered to have been one of the best (and most attractive) of the companions—heck, she got her own spin-off series. To top it off Liz Sladen is obscenely well-preserved. She’s not aged visibly since the late 80s.
This could be a good thing or a bad thing. I wouldn’t want to see them trying to retrofit some kind of overtly sexual relationship with the Doctor onto her character. But she was one of his best friends, and perhaps the only companion he sort of kept in touch with and even sent presents to (like e.g. K9, his robot dog).
I know what you’re thinking. Stop that.
Since this next series looks to be dominated by Rose having to deal with the Doctor’s regeneration (in much the same way as the first series was about Rose having to deal with the culture shock of time travel and aliens), Sarah Jane (who was around for the Jon Pertwee/Tom Baker transition) will probably be there for an episode or two to mentor her through it.
Hopefully they won’t overdo her. She belongs to another era, and could also easily sort of become the older woman with whom Rose can’t compete (at least in Rose’s mind). I daresay it will introduce an interesting dynamic with Sarah being twice the Doctor’s apparent age; it used to be the other way around.
I suppose this means it’s likely they’ll be bringing back K9 as well. I think they ought to keep the same basic design, rather than trying some fancy articulated or levitating monstrosity that will kill their budget. But for Pete’s sake, Davies, do give him rubber tank treads so he isn’t left thumping impotently against doorsills like a lost Roomba.