Catherine Tate is just great as Donna Noble, the best Dr Who Series ever by far.
I wondered how RTDavies could continue to come up with such good stories, but this series is just Brill!

Carl Hookings, Barry, UK

Even though I've been a huge fan ever since the series came back and watched every single episode I've stopped watching it alltogether now. Just because of Tate. CT is a comedienne, not an actress. And the Doc's companions being smitten by him was half the fun! Bring back Rose...and get rid of CT.

Dean Wouters, Antwerp, Belgium

I can't stand her character for most of the reasons already stated. I hope she falls into a singularity and vanishes. Not sure who felt she would be a great addition to the show but whoever it was should be forced to sit through a 24hr loop of her annoying outbursts and remarks.

Norman, New York City, USA

I rate Donna Noble right up there with Jar-Jar, she annoying in the extreme. If I didn't love the show I'd be tempted to shut if off at times when she makes yet one of her annoying remarks, whcih is just about any time she opens her mouth..... She has got to go!

Mike, Halifax, Canada

I had never heard of Catherine Tate before Doctor Who -- and I have no explanation for the dislike voiced here other than familiarity with what else Tate has done. The character is excellent, a match for the Doctor and most of all adult. Head and shoulders above Rose, who was just obnoxious.

Alex, Berlin,

I don't particularly care for her on the show for several reasons: she either screams her lines or mumbles most of the time. I loved Rose, thus far. Also, the shows, other than this last, have returned to a childish look harking back to the very early days of the show. Still, a lot of fun to watch

Deena , Fairfield, USA

I dunno, what I do know is that apart from the episode I'll entitle "Are you my mummy", Dr Who has lacked the menace and uncertainty of the Hartnell days - the kind of telly you'd watch cowering behind the sofa. Perhaps, I'm old and synical. The assistants, each in their way, were adequate - CT's OK

MZ, Carlisle,

The Donna character is ruining Dr Who. I am now watching each episode thinking this one cannot be as bad as the previous one, unfortunately I am disappointed. It is becoming a comedy duo act.
The brash and loud character is just cringe making and there is just no cerebral or emotional side to it.

Andrew Main, Beaconsfield,

I love Donna - best companion since Doctor Who started again. Rose and Martha were both good, but the 'in love with the doctor' ness got annoying, Donna is refreshing and brilliant :D

Debbie, Bham,

I miss Martha, but Donna is not that bad Run Away Bride is one of my favorite of the new Doctor Who episodes. I had never seen Tate before doctor Who and I think that helps. It a nice change not to have the Doctor in love with his companion or them mooning over him.

Dawn, Orem, USA

I don't know if it's Donna I don't like, or Catherine Tate. But I definitely don't like the doctors new companion. Annoying, simpleminded and loud is how I'd put it, and I havn't a clue why the Doctor would ever want to keep her around, compared to the charm and complexity of his previous companions

Sean, San Francisco,

Well personally I have stopped watching Dr. Who now despite the divine David Tennant. Donna is too loud, too argumentative and too irritating for me. The Dr's assistant is NOT meant to overshadow him and question his every decision - sadly it is now off my watching list.
I liked Martha!

Sue T, Manchester, UK

I think Catherine Tate has been brilliant so far. It's a shame so many folks in the UK seem unable to separate Tate from her past work. It's like refusing to watch Sean Connery in Bond cuz he did a crap job in Darby O'Gill and the Little People. From Canada to the UK all I can say is grow up.

Alex, Calgary, Canada

The problem i have is that she isn't really a "role model". Rose and Martha were young energetic women who hadn't had a sketch show full of swearing. I really like her, don't get me wrong, the new dynamic is great, but she couldn't ever be a role model for young girls watching the show... could she?

Katy Mitchell , Manchester , UK

Catherine Tate is awsome as Donna, I couldn't stand the last assistant Martha, she was dull as dishwater, so this makes a positive change. I'm watching every week now, she has some of the best lines in the show, and defintiely has a good effect on the overall vibe.

Sheryl, Leicester,

I think she's AMAZING in the new series fair play to her. She's shown an impressive range as an actress, and makes me laugh every episode with her brilliant comedic timing.

I say go easy on her! Being the new companion is no easy task, but I think she's handling it brilliantly.

Angharad, Anglesey, Wales

I have never written on a website before, but Catherine Tate is so awful in Dr.Who I felt the need to get it out of my system. How they made this decision is beyond me. The research team have taken the wrong turn here. It has put our whole family off the series which we adore, even my 5 year old.

Neil, Brighton , UK

Ok, so at what point during the series will she say "do I look like I'm bovvered?". She was close to it last week...
A poor catchphrase based 'comedian' who just gets more annoying in this role week by week.

Tom, Dublin, Ireland

Catherine Tate is awful, I've never been able to watch her sketch show and unfortunately she's put me completely off watching this new series of Doctor Who.

Leanne , London, UK

The comedienne Catherine Tate adds levity to a TV series which is otherwise rather frightening!

Dot, Blackpool, UK

I'm enjoying Series 4 of Who enormously. I adore David Tennant as Ten and his interaction with Donna is exactly what the show needs at this point, imo. Tate has enough of the runnaway bride still left to be amusing & provoking as well as loud, but Donna has grown to be also a character of depth.

Elizabeth, Sydney, Australia

I'm enjoying Catherine Tate's performance in the series. It's so lovely to have an assistant not falling madly in love with the Doctor, and she is acting as a great conscience and asking the sort of intelligent questions one would ask in the same position. Probably the companion I've identified most with in the series so far, or certainly at least has the potential to be.

Ciara, Edinburgh,

Not being from the UK, I don't have any preconceptions about CT and I think Donna is brilliant - much better than the lovesick simpering girlies before (and I'm their age, mind, and much prefer Donna!). Donna and the Doc have an excellent dynamic together and feel much more evenly matched. It's feeling like new Who is finding its feet.

Annie, Sydney,

What RTD should have done was have a single first episode with just the Doctor alone reflecting back on what had happened recently and deciding that maybe it was better if he didnt have an assistant, arguing with himself that he just seems to cause them pain. Maybe even a virtual journey back to the destruction of the Time Lords.

Then bringing in Donna in the second episode, who snaps him back to reality, would have worked better. Someone who can cause him a bit of "pain". Someone who doesnt love him. He's over Rose. Or so he thinks....

Bob, London,

She's not bad at all. I find Freema Agyeman to be highly underrated and of course completely gorgeous, but the fact that her character had to pine for the Doctor for a whole season was not in her favor. Billie Piper was lovely too, but my did Rose love to cry!

Tate's character on the face of it is a throwback to the '80s when almost every companion character seemed written to ungratefully antagonize Peter Davison or Colin Baker. But it works this time, because Donna is also highly affectionate, and the character is nuanced enough now to have this duality be a complex character trait, one Tate pulls off so well. She's a good dramatic actress, which I don't think should surprise many people - comedians make for better dramatic actors than most dramatic actors can manage in comedies.

Ian, New York, NY, USA

What I love about Doctor Who compared to all of the other TV shows out there these days is that it's so refreshing! Anything goes, it's the universe at your fingertips, and all you ask yourself is, what do you do with that?

I'll be honest, I didn't know much about any of the companions before they joined the show (from Tate, Agyeman and Piper) and I'm so thankful for it, because each season I was only judging the characters, not the actors themselves. Each season it's taken time for the characters to grow on me, and I think that's the point. By the end of each season I've fallen in love with them, and love seeing how the Doctor discovers a new part of himself each time, and I'm sure Catherine Tate will be no exception!

Sarah, Nova Scotia, Canada

Living in a (until recently) Who-deprived country I "grew up" with the 9th Doc, so I've never seen any of the "old" companions. And have never heard of CT before "Runaway Bride". I prefer Donna to Martha coz (no offense, Freema!) Martha was a bit bland after the emotional, fun and action loving Rose. Now it's interesting to see the Dr paired with a grown-up companion for a change. B.t.w., comedians often have a wider range of acting skills (emotions, timing) than your average "serious" actor, so let's wait and see what CT can do.

Katrin, Hamburg, Germany

Catherine Tate is terrible and has ruined Doctor Who.
She can't act and her character is annoying.

James, Herts,

Catherine Tate is just awful... Actually, I was going to continue with a long rant, but I think that first sentence has summed it up perfectly.

Keith, Southampton,

what are you all thinking?
catherine Tate is a lovely, charming and very funny comedienne, but she's bloody awful in Doctor Who. Her comedy characters are so pervailing that you see them in all her acting.

I keep expecting her to come out with: "How very dare you" at any moment or burst in into her granny impression or the schoolgirl.

I love Catherines comedy to bits but this is not her best work. The other lass was brilliant as Doctor Who's assistant, bring her back!!!


Paukl

paul carney, newcastle,

I'm really starting to like Donna. She's fab! Congrats Catherine on creating such a fab character! DT isn't half bad either ;)

Daniella, Surrey, UK

The series 4 Donna seems to be a great improvement on the original; Ok, so Donna isn't as sexy as Rose or Martha (Sorry Catherine!) but at least the character is behaving in a fairly believable way when confronted with space/time travel and everything that goes with it.
If we hadn't known who Catherine Tate was, and an unknown actress had been playing the part in exactly the same way, would we have all this fuss? I doubt it. My advice...pretend it's not Catherine Tate, after all, that's the idea!

Ian, Chelmsford,

I believe Catherine Tate'd Donna to be a breathe of fresh air. She has proved thought provoking, intelligent and funny. I am loving this series more than ever and believe by the end of th run people will be saying she was the best companion ever.

Long live Donna!

Keiran, London,

Who doesn't like D Who - Donna's been really funny - the First episode with the wee dudes made from fat was wondeful.
"The fat just walks away" has become the phrase de jour in our house.

Murdo, Scotland,

I think the haters had already formed such strong opinions about CT prior to Series 4 that nothing she can do will change that. You've made up your minds and you're sticking by them.

I find all this prejudice quite baffling as I was quite excited by the news that Donna was going full-time on the Tardis. She showed promise towards the end of Runaway Bride. In the first two episodes she's already displayed a greater emotional range than Martha ever did. I just can't imagine Freema pulling off Donna's desperate, heartfelt 'just save one' plea to the Doctor in Fires of Pompeii.

Martha was adequate but nothing special. Donna is a lot more than 'not that bad', she's very good and will only get better. And can we stop comparing every future companion (inevitably unfavourably) to Rose? I can't imagine how much rubbishing David Tennant's successor will get...

Dominic, Melbourne, Australia

For me she is a revelation - simply brilliant! I'm loving the partnership as it's what it should be - the Doctor and his companion being the best of mates - just as it was with Tom Baker and Liz Sladen. I'm loving this series so much more than the last two - such a shame that she's only doing on season. Yay Donna!

Chris Macfarlane, Glasgow,

Am I boveered that catherine Tate is the new assistent?

Oh Yes she is awful but then again so is David tennent as the Doctor. All he does is shout, mugg to the camera and play with his sonic screwdriver.

Bring Back Jon Pertwee (if only we could) bring back Liz Shaw

Steve, darlington,

Donna is terrible. Matha was great please bring her back.

Prashant Vaze, London,

Well I can't see any qualities in Catherine Tate as a comedienne or an actress. Sorry but its just my opinion. No companion will beat Rose Tyler.

Andy, Leeds, England

Quite simply dreadful. Doctor Who only works when the actors play it straight. I almost feel sorry for her, she looks lost on-screen trying every tired facial expression in her repetoire, but never coming up with anything remotely believeable. Or likeable, and you really should be able to like the Doctors assistant. Casting a comedian was a daft idea in the first place - why not be creative and cast an actor? There's not exactly a shortage of good actors in this country...

Matt Nation, Bath,

For Saturday nights, Catherine Tate and David Tennant are like Brucie & Anthea, or Eric & Ernie - a perfect match that will be hailed as the best pairing (in the TV programme's 44 + year history...not just the last four) since Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen.

MATTHEW WALTER, York, UK

"Not as bad as I'd feared" isn't exactly a ringing endorsement, is it? Catherine Tate leaves me cold frankly. Personally I feel the lovely Martha has been badly done by, and I'd like to see her back. On the larger scale I think this season has been a tad disappointing; it all feels a bit run of the mill. Torchwood deals with grander themes. It might be a bit rickety around the edges, with its cast of six, but it does strive harder than Doctor Who. Maybe it's time for a change at the top...I'm not inspired by some of the luvyness which seems to pervade the casting choices including an extraordinary selection of Richard Dawkins in a forthcoming episode apparently!

Ricky, Bakewell, UK

Unbearable, ghastly, aged, still the dreadful teenager character. And her age - all wrong. Put me off completely. Best programe was take on Shakespeare.

jane, Whittlesey, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Kaf-rin Tight is irritating, but not as bad as I thought. That is faint praise as you do not know how bad I thought it would be!

Certainly not the best assistant by a mile. SJS, Susan, Elizabeth, Jo, Perry, Lela are all far better.

As said, RTD needs to disconnect from the mind-control pap sleb output and go up a few gears.

Tim Carpenter, London, UK

Didn't like Martha at all. Thought Donna was exactly what the Doctor needed after the emotional hell he went through losing Rose. Let's face it - breakup of an intensely serious love affair (platonic or otherwise) - what you really want to do is go and have some fun with your mates.

Penny, London,

I completely agree, I had pretty much written off series 4 because of the presence of CT, but now I'll admit she's not only bearable but is actually a really good choice to follow martha, occasionally she slips too much into comedy cockney, but that seems to have improved a bit already.

dave, truro, cornwall

I think she is a breath of fresh air - good to be rid of the 'being in love with the doctor / the doctor being in love with his assistant' nonsense.

I 80% adore Russell T Davies and 20% hate certain bits of what he's done - the tedious Eastenders style family stories (when did we ever hear of the shenanigans of Sarah Jane Smith's family, for example?) and the references to popular culture (Trinny & Susannah, the Weakest Link, Eastenders - please). I assume this is to pander to the brainless hoardes who watch soaps and game shows and for whom Dr Who might be a culture shock- but I believe the only popular culture reference the pre-Davies Who ever made was to the Beatles - pretty good choice!

But on the whole - hearing kids discuss the Daleks and Cybermen is wonderful - so glad he saved it.

Best assistant ever - Sarah Jane Smith - or Leela? Liz from the Pertwee era good too.

Gill, Kent,

I liked CT as a comedienne but cant stand her character in Dr Who. The Doctor doesnt need a shrill conscience (who does she think she is? Jimminy bloomin' Cricket?). It has been the Dr's curse that he has to think about the consequences of his actions far beyond the ken of his good hearted but naive companions. Nonetheless he was always prepared to compromise on higher prinicples to help individuals. So why suddenly are they pretending that he is this icy high-minded Time Lord who needs a bit of hectoring to bring him down to earth (geddit?). This is not adding a new dimension to the Drs character but fundamentally changing it because RTD has run out of ideas. Down with that.

Bob, London,

Have to say that Catherine Tate is the best female companion the doctor has had since this modern series kicked off back in '05.

Mark Cook, Sydney,

I'm really starting to like Donna. It surprised me too.

Though based on what I hear from my British friends, I have an advantage living on the other side of the pond- I've never really seen Catherine Tate as anyone but Donna, so no bad associations.

Mo, Nova Scotia, Canada

"She's not that bad"

She's far worse. Aaaaaarrrgghh.

Chris, chesterfield, uk