Doctor Who gets new helper

British singer and actress Billie Piper is to play Doctor Who’s assistant in a remake of the classic science-fiction TV series, the BBC said Monday.

Piper, 21 will star alongside Christopher Eccleston, the ninth incarnation of the eccentric Time Lord who first hit TV screens in 1963. He said he wanted to explore the doctor’s melancholy side rather than rely on “spooky escapism.” The new 13-episode series is due to be shown on BBC 1 early next year.