Danny Pink

Danny Pink (born Rupert Henry Pink) is a fictional character in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Created by Steven Moffat and portrayed by actor Samuel Anderson, he is a supporting character in the eighth series of the programme, first appearing in the episode, "Into the Dalek". He becomes the boyfriend of the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi)'s companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman). Formerly a soldier, Danny now works as a Maths teacher at Coal Hill School. Danny and the Doctor come to disapprove of each other throughout the series, with the Doctor disliking Danny being a former soldier, while Clara's travels with the Doctor puts friction on her relationship with Danny. Throughout the series, Danny, the Doctor, and Clara develop a dynamic with each other, with multiple episodes exploring their relationships with each other. Danny is eventually killed and revived as a cyborg known as a Cyberman during the episodes "Dark Water" and "Death in Heaven". During the events of "Death in Heaven," the converted Danny dies while stopping antagonist the Master (Michelle Gomez)'s plot to turn the entire Earth into Cybermen.

Anderson auditioned for the role of Danny in late 2013, with his casting being announced in early 2014. Danny was intended by Moffat to be a comforting presence for Clara upon returning home from adventures with the Doctor, with the Doctor's negative opinion of Danny done to show the Doctor making a "tactical error" in judging someone.

Danny was met with an overall negative response from critics, with some disliking how he was characterised, but his relationship with the Doctor and his status as a soldier has been the subject of analysis.