Oh Russell T Davies, you little tease! The new ‘Doctor Who‘ showrunner has dropped out another little bit of casting news, which is sure to set the internet alight. Yasmin Finney, one of the breakout stars of the Netflix drama ‘Heartstopper’ has been cast in the upcoming series… as a character called Rose…
“Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose?” Said RTD. “You’ll find out in 2023, but it’s an absolute joy to welcome Yasmin to the Doctor Who set. We all fell in love with her in Heartstopper, one of those shows which changes the world – and now Yasmin can change the Whoniverse!”
Rose, was, of course, the name of the character played by Billie Piper during Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant’s run on the series, so there are a couple of possibilities here. This is an entirely new character who just happens to be called “Rose”. This is some sort of multiverse version of the Doctor’s “Rose”. Or, I mean, this is ‘Doctor Who’, she could be playing an actual sentient rose plant for all we know!
Yasmin Finney is filming scenes that are due to air in 2023 to coincide with the show’s 60th anniversary as “Rose”. She initially gained prominence through her videos on TikTok about her experiences as a black British transgender teenager. Currently, the actress is captivating audiences with her performance as Elle Argent in the Netflix series ‘Heartstopper’, which is receiving rave reviews across the globe.
“If anyone would have told 8-year-old Yasmin that one day she’d be part of this iconic show, I would have never in a million years believed them,” adds Yasmin. “This show has a place in so many people’s hearts, so to be seen as a trans actress by the legend himself Russell, has not only made my year, it’s made my life. I cannot wait to begin this journey and for you all to see how Rose blossoms. Get Ready.”
As I’m sure most of you know by now, the current 13th Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, will have her final appearance in the Autumn, which will see her regenerate into Ncuti Gatwa as the 14th Doctor. Gatwa will be joined by David Tennant and Catherine Tate who are returning to reprise their roles (or some version of them!) as The Tenth Doctor and Donna.
Behind the cameras, current showrunner, Chris Chibnall, hands the sonic screwdriver back to Russell T Davies, with a new series due to arrive in 2023 as part of the BBC’s Centenary celebrations and the show’s 60th Anniversary.
‘Doctor Who‘ returns to BBC One in Autumn 2022. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.