Doctor Who: Varada Sethu Bids Farewell, Shares Heartfelt ‘Mom & Dad Forever’ Message to Ncuti Gatwa

After taking “a few days to digest the series, the finale, and its profound impact on my life,” Varada Sethu has recently expressed her feelings about leaving Doctor Who following her one-season role as Fifteen’s companion. (Before her debut as ER nurse Belinda Chandra, Sethu portrayed Belinda’s descendant, Anglican marine Mundy Flynn, in Season 14’s episode “Boom.”)

“I know I’m a bit late to the game (typical me), but I needed some time to fully grasp this show, the finale, and the significance of everyone I’ve met through this experience,” Sethu posted on Instagram last Wednesday.

“My heart has grown so much. I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude and love, and I still can’t quite find the words to express how I feel,” she continued. “Getting to know Belinda has been an incredible blessing, a journey I will always remember.”

To her co-star Ncuti Gatwa, who played the Time Lord, Sethu expressed her gratitude: “Thank you for being my partner in crime, my dear Doctor. You’re a ceaseless wonder, and witnessing your magic has been a true privilege. Mom & Dad forever.”

(In response, Gatwa echoed the sentiment in the comments, “MOM AND DAD FOREVER ” — referring to Fifteen and Belinda’s fictional “impossible” daughter, Poppy — and added, “love you endlessly.”)

To Millie Gibson, who played the companion Ruby Sunday before Sethu, she wrote, “Thank you, sweet angel, for your kindness and for always lifting my spirits. You’ve captured everyone’s hearts!! I am so excited to see what the future holds for you.”

Sethu also acknowledged her hair, makeup, and costume teams, before expressing her gratitude to the show’s “wonderful fans… thank you so much for welcoming Belinda, for all the kind words and joy you’ve shared!”

She concluded her heartfelt message by thanking the showrunner Russell T Davies, “I think I finally understand what you meant when you said my life would never be the same. I feel transformed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”