The TARDIS may have said goodbye to Amy and Rory Pond over a decade ago, but their real-world counterparts are about to embark on a brand new adventure together. Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, who captured hearts as one of “Doctor Who’s” most beloved companion couples, are reuniting for a rewatch podcast that will take fans behind the scenes of their time aboard the famous blue box.
Checking Back Into the TARDIS
As the saying goes, “Doctor Who” is like the Hotel California—you can check out any time you like, but you can never really leave. The franchise has a unique way of keeping its extended family connected, whether through anniversary specials, spinoffs, Big Finish audio dramas, or the convention circuit. Now Gillan and Darvill are adding a new chapter to that tradition with “The Pondcast,” a project that will see them revisit their two-and-a-half season journey opposite Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor.
“We really get on and we catch up quite often. We had such a good time [on Doctor Who],” Darvill told Radio Times. “It was so long ago and we’ve forgotten so much that happened, but it was such a formative thing, that we feel now that we’re able to look back and celebrate it.”
A Trip Down Memory Lane
The podcast promises to be a relaxed, conversational affair—think two old friends reminiscing about a wild adventure they once shared, because that’s essentially what it is. “I’ve not seen half of it, so we’re going to rewatch it and talk about it,” Darvill revealed. “We’ve recorded a few episodes already and it’s really fun. It is just me and Karen messing around so I’m not quite sure how many new facts you’ll get, but it’s really nice to kind of go back and reminisce about it.”
The format might be low-key, but the guest list already includes some heavyweight names. Former showrunner Steven Moffat, who helmed the series during Gillan and Darvill’s tenure and crafted many of their most memorable storylines, is confirmed to appear on the podcast.
From the Terrible to the Sublime
Amy Pond and Rory Williams (who eventually took Amy’s surname to become Rory Pond) appeared in stories that ranged wildly in quality and tone. From the genuinely terrible “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship” to the emotionally devastating near-masterpiece “The Girl Who Waited,” their tenure showcased both the best and worst of the Steven Moffat era.
Their story arc included some of the show’s most iconic moments: Amy’s childhood encounter with the Doctor, her wedding day interrupted by a Pandorica, Rory’s heartbreaking two-thousand-year vigil as a Roman centurion, and their tragic final goodbye in “The Angels Take Manhattan.” The couple’s journey coincided with “Doctor Who’s” explosion in popularity in America, making them part of a cultural phenomenon that introduced a generation of new fans to the Time Lord’s adventures.
Life After the TARDIS
Both actors have enjoyed significant career success since departing the TARDIS. Gillan became a major player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying the complex and compelling Nebula in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films and multiple “Avengers” movies. Her performance evolved the character from villain to reluctant hero to beloved member of the Guardians family.
Darvill, meanwhile, has built an impressive television resume including the acclaimed British crime drama “Broadchurch” and the DC superhero series “Legends of Tomorrow,” where he played time-traveling hero Rip Hunter. Despite these high-profile roles, their time on “Doctor Who” remains a defining chapter in both their careers and lives.
One Tiny Problem…
There’s just one small wrinkle in their plans: The name “The Pondcast” is already taken. And by what, you might ask? A podcast dedicated to the turtle and tortoise community that has already recorded over 100 episodes. Yes, really. It seems Amy and Rory may need to brush up on their herpetology—or perhaps come up with an alternative title before launch.
Of course, this being “Doctor Who,” there’s something delightfully appropriate about a time-travel paradox involving podcast naming rights. Perhaps they’ll simply call it “The Pondcast (The Other One)” or find some clever “Doctor Who” reference to distinguish their show. After all, if you can survive Weeping Angels and Silence, you can handle a trademark issue.
The Best Thing About the Franchise
As Gillan and Darvill prepare to revisit their “Doctor Who” years, their podcast exemplifies one of the franchise’s greatest strengths: the way it creates lasting connections and becomes part of people’s lives long after the cameras stop rolling. Whether through audio dramas, convention appearances, or now podcasts, “Doctor Who” maintains a unique ecosystem where former cast members remain part of the family.
For fans who grew up watching Amy and Rory’s adventures, “The Pondcast” offers an opportunity to experience those stories again through the eyes—and voices—of the people who brought them to life. And for Gillan and Darvill, it’s a chance to celebrate a period of their lives that clearly meant, and continues to mean, something special.
“The Pondcast” doesn’t have an official release date yet, but recording is currently underway. Whovians everywhere will be waiting (hopefully not as long as Rory waited for Amy in the Pandorica).
