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EastEnders’ Rakhee Thakrar has been cast as Bliss, a new companion for the Eighth Doctor during his battles in the Time War.

Best known for playing Shabnam Masood in the BBC soap opera, Thakrar will make her debut in what is now the first of four box sets chronicling the Eighth Doctor’s war, out in November.

“He may be trying to avoid getting embroiled in the Time War, but the Eighth Doctor has found a new friend who knows how to blow up a Dalek – enter Bliss, a scientist trying to stay alive in the heat of temporal battle,” producer David Richardson explained. “Matt Fitton wrote the part for Rakhee Thakrar, and it was lovely when Rakhee accepted the part with such total delight. She’s brilliant and lovely and fits right in with the ever growing Big Finish family.’

“Getting to voice the role of Bliss alongside the Doctor is an absolute dream,” Thakrar added. “She’s a character who I’d like to be more like; someone who puts aside her own fear to help others. I think Big Finish have created a great companion with Bliss, she’s incredibly bright but is not excluded from making mistakes and having a sense of humour. I find her very real, and she’s a joy to play. I’m thoroughly excited to join the Doctor Who team.”