Yasmin Finney joins the cast of ‘Doctor Who’ as a character named Rose, the BBC announced on Monday. Her role will debut in 2023, coinciding with the show’s 60th anniversary.
“Life on ‘Doctor Who’ is getting brighter and wilder, how can there be another rose?” said ‘Doctor Who’ showrunner Russell T. Davies in a statement. “You’ll find out in 2023, but it’s an absolute pleasure to welcome Yasmin to the ‘Doctor Who’ set. We all fell in love with her on ‘Heartstopper’, one of those shows that changes the world – and now Yasmin can change the Whoniverse!”
Finney quickly became a fan favorite on the hit Netflix series Heartstopper, in which she plays the character Elle Argent. Her casting announcement follows the unveiling of the next Doctor Who – played by another popular Netflix actor, ‘Sex Education’ star Ncuti Gatwa.
“If someone told 8-year-old Yasmin that one day she would be part of this legendary show, I wouldn’t have believed them in a million years,” Finney said. “This show holds a place in the hearts of so many people and to be seen as a trans actress by the legend Russell himself has not only changed my year, but my life. I can’t wait to start this journey and show you all how rose blooms. Getting ready.”
The series has been broadcast on the BBC since 1963 and has seen more than a dozen doctors rise in their ranks. Gatwa will be the 14th person to step into the role, while it remains uncertain exactly who Finney’s Rose character is. Billie Piper originated the role of companion Rose Tyler in 2005 alongside the Ninth Doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston. Finney could be playing a new version of the same character or someone entirely new. Jodie Whittaker, who has played the Doctor since 2017, also passes the torch to Gatwa.
The casting of Finney, who is transgender, follows the history-making turn of Bethany Black, who was cast as the first openly transgender actress on Doctor Who when she debuted her role as 474 in 2015. Rebecca Root became the first transgender actress to play a Doctor Who companion when she took on the role of Tania Bell on the audio series Stranded.
The news also follows the announcement that David Tennant and Catherine Tate will be returning for the series’ 60th anniversary, reprising their roles as the Doctor and his companion Donna Noble. The two starred in the series from 2005 to 2010.
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