Stepping into the iconic role of the Doctor’s companion, Millie Gibson joins a prestigious list of actors, following in the footsteps of Billie Piper, Jenna Coleman, and Catherine Tate. While her talent has undoubtedly secured her a place in the long-running sci-fi series alongside Ncuti Gatwa, it’s her distinctive eyebrow scar that has sparked curiosity among fans.
The 19-year-old actress, best known for her portrayal of Kelly Neelan in Coronation Street, has now set the record straight about the origin of the scar. In a recent interview, she explained: “It’s a scar. I fell down the stairs as a baby and the hair’s just never grown back, but everyone thinks I’ve done it myself.” Reflecting on her childhood pictures, she humorously added: “In all my baby pictures I look like a right thug.”
Rising to Fame in Coronation Street
Before landing her role in Doctor Who, Millie had already made a name for herself on British television. Initially introduced as a minor character in Coronation Street in 2019, her role as Kelly quickly expanded, turning her into a familiar face for viewers. Over time, she became central to some of the soap’s most dramatic storylines, including her character’s struggles with her mother’s death from cancer, being held hostage, and even being wrongfully imprisoned for murder.
Reflecting on her experience working on the soap, she admitted: “Before I went into Corrie I was like, ‘Well, how hard can it be?’ But it’s really hard. They work so quickly. At one point, Kelly’s storyline was so big that we were doing ten scenes a day. That’s a lot of dialogue, a lot of turning on the tears in two seconds.”
A Bold Career Move
Despite her rising success in Coronation Street, Millie made the bold decision to leave the show in pursuit of new opportunities. The decision surprised her parents, who were concerned about her stepping away from a secure role at such a young age. However, Millie remained firm in her choice, believing it was the right time to take risks. “I didn’t need to be secure at that time—I needed to spread my wings. I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t,” she explained.
Her gamble appears to have paid off, as industry experts are predicting a bright future for her. Branding and culture expert Nick Ede believes she has the potential to break into Hollywood. “Millie tackled some really heavy storylines in Corrie, which will show Hollywood producers she’s adept at lots of roles and is a very believable actress. Paired with her good looks and terrific personality, I can see her being cast in a blockbuster quicker than you can say TARDIS.”
Inspired by Jodie Comer
While she may be making headlines for her upcoming Doctor Who role, Millie has her own acting inspiration—Killing Eve star Jodie Comer. Speaking about her admiration for the actress, she said: “I love Jodie Comer. I’m obsessed with Jodie Comer. All of her work is just incredible, and her career path is just very idealistic for me.”
With Doctor Who set to propel her career even further, Millie Gibson appears to be on the brink of something truly special. From soap star to sci-fi sensation, her journey is just beginning.
