Doctor Who has cast transgender actor Yasmin Finney as the show continues its major shake-up.
Finney will play Rose, a role previously played by Billie Piper when the show was relaunched back in 2005.
The 18-year-old actor rose to prominence when she played trans character Elle Argent in Netflix show Heartstopper earlier this year.
Finney will not be the first trans actor the show has seen, with Rebecca Root and Bethany Black making small appearances in the past.
Ncuti Gatwa was announced as the new Time Lord earlier this month
Ian West
Showrunner Russel T Davies said: “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!”
Finney added: “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, 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.”
The news comes just days after the BBC announced that Ncuti Gatwa will take over from Jodie Whittaker as the Time Lord.
The 29-year-old will become the 14th Doctor on the popular BBC show, after Whittaker announced last July she will be leaving the role.
Scottish actor Gatwa, who was born in Rwanda, starred as Eric Effiong in Netflix’s hugely popular Sex Education about socially awkward high school student Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his sex therapist mother Jean (Gillian Anderson).
It comes after it was announced that David Tennant and Catherine Tate will both return to Doctor Who for the show’s 60th anniversary celebrations in 2023.
Yasmin Finney
Instagram/@yazdemand
