Doctor Who: Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor, Yasmin Finney in the cast and the return of two cult characters

With Jodie Whitaker‘s departure, the production of Doctor Who has been busy finding a new ‘Doctor’. After giving the role to a woman for the first time, the British series decided this time to introduce the first black doctor in its history.

And to play the new doctor, the BBC decided to trust Ncuto Gatwa, the actor who plays Eric Effiong in Sex Education. Following the announcement, the actor declared himself “honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared”. He added, “This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same. Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true. […] Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show.”

Russell T Davies, the showrunner, says: “The future is here and it’s Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds. It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started.”

Ncuti Gatwa will make his debut as the new Doctor in 2023. In the meantime, it will be possible to discover the final episode with Jodie Whittaker at the end of the year on the BBC.

Yasmin Finney will be the “new” Rose

Currently starring in the series Heartstopper on Netflix, and soon the guest of a virtual convention, Yasmin Finney joins the cast of Doctor Who and will play a character named Rose. A name that does not seem chosen at random if we believe the statements of Russell T Davies and that could be related to Rose Tyler, the iconic character played by Billie Piper.

“Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose? You’ll find out in 2023,″ says the showrunner in a statement released by the BBC. “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!”

Yasmin Finney said she is “cannot wait to begin this journey and for you all to see how Rose blossoms.” She added, “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. 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.”

The return of an iconic duo

Among the announcements of the last few days, this is probably the one that will have held the most attention of Doctor Who fans. David Tennant, the actor who playes the 10th Doctor, and Catherine Tate, the actress who plays Donna Noble, will be reunited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the series.

If no additional information was revealed on the circumstances of this return, Russell T Davies made a declaration which will have enough to stir the curiosity of the fans: “They’re back! And it looks impossible – first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening? Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback. The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.“

While we wait until 2023 to find out how this iconic duo makes its return, we remind you that you can meet a lot of cast members of this iconic series at many conventions around the world.