A trans woman (a man in drag) has been chosen to play Rose in the forthcoming new series of Dr. Who. It hasn’t been announced if Rose is a brand new character or Rose Tyler, the Doctor’s female travelling companion, who was once played by Billie Piper.
According to The Telegraph:
Yasmin Finney, who starred in Heartstopper, a Netflix coming-of-age drama about queer love, is filming scenes in the role that are due to air next year to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the show.
Upon joining the show, Finney said: “If anyone would have told eight-year-old Yasmin that one day she’d be part of this iconic show, I would have never in a million years believed them.
“This show has a place in so many people’s hearts, so to be seen as a trans actress by the legend himself Russell [T Davies], 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.”
Russell T Davies, the screenwriter and producer who is returning to the set as a showrunner, added: “Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose? 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!”
The BBC announced last month that Jodie Whittaker, the first female Doctor, is to be replaced by Ncuti Gatwa who will become the first black actor to play the doctor. Gatwa is also gay, although he hasn’t discussed his sexuality publicly.
