Yasmin Finney has joined the cast of Doctor Who for next year's 60th anniversary celebrations, it has been announced.
Over the weekend, returning showrunner Russell T Davies confirmed that fan favourites David Tennant and Catherine Tate would be back as The Doctor and Donna Noble for the special, although how their plotline interacts with that of new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa remains to be seen.
Finney, who has shot to fame this spring appearing in the acclaimed Netflix LGBT drama Heartstopper, will play a character called Rose. Tennant's Doctor memorably had assistant Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper, and again it is unclear if Finney's Rose will be the same character somehow, or related in another way.
"Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose?" Davies teased. "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!"
Finney said: "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.
"I cannot wait to begin this journey and for you all to see how Rose blossoms. Get Ready."
Filming on the 60th anniversary episode got underway in London's Camden in the last few days.
Neil Wilkes
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