Doctor Who's Russell T Davies says Yasmin Finney casting was "meant to be"
Doctor Who's returning showrunner Russell T Davies has spoken about LGBTQ+ representation in the show, saying that the casting of Yasmin Finney was "meant to be".
The actress is playing Donna Noble's daughter Rose, who is trans just like Finney herself is. Previously, Finney played the role of Elle Argent in Netflix series Heartstopper.
Speaking about her casting to Digital Spy and other press outlets, Davies said: "It's not just a Doctor Who thing for me, it's something I and a lot of other writers are very keen to do, to be progressive and to just reflect more of society.
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"And it's funny, in casting Yasmin, there's very few people we could have cast and it's like a light came down from heaven and there she was, before Heartstopper actually. It was just so powerfully meant to be and I think she does the most amazing job and it's an absolute privilege to work with her to get her on screen."
Speaking about progressive casting in media more broadly, Davies added: "If you look at something I wrote in 1999, with Queer as Folk, where I had almost an entirely white cast. That's simply inconceivable now.
"That's naturally changed, led very much by our casting director Andy Pryor, who's a power in the land. It's a more open door, still opening it further and further and further, as much as we can.
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"It's heavy that door, and it keeps on slamming shut. And you still watch plenty of things at 9 o'clock on all channels that haven't pushed at that door enough. So it's a constant effort and a constant heave and a constant attempt to help people through that door. So that's the biggest change."
There are plenty of queer actors in the upcoming instalments of Doctor Who, including Finney, Miriam Margolyes, Neil Patrick Harris, Jinkx Monsoon, and Ncuti Gatwa himself.
Doctor Who returns for three 60th anniversary specials, beginning with 'The Star Beast' on November 25. The show airs on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere.
Classic episodes of Doctor Who are now available via BBC iPlayer in the UK as well.
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