Former EastEnders star and 2021 Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose-Ayling Ellis is set star in the next series of Doctor Who.
Confirming the casting announcement, showrunner, Russell T Davies said: “She’s the lead in one episode, which is stunning.
“It’s – I think – our scariest episode. Absolutely terrifying, and she’s magnificent.”
Rose Ayling-Ellis made history in 2021 on Strictly Come Dancing, as the first deaf participant, and then winner, of the show.
What can we expect from Ncuti Gatwa’s second Doctor Who season?
Production on season two of the latest version of Doctor Who wrapped up in late May 2024.
Despite leaving the Tardis in the finale of season one, Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) will appear in the second season – at least for a few episodes.
Also returning, this time as a long-term companion, is Varada Sethu, having already played Mundy Flynn in season one episode ‘Boom.’
This time she’ll play the role of Belinda Chandra, but it hasn’t yet been confirmed whether this character has any connection to Mundy.
Describing what to expect from season two, Russell T Davies said there’s a “range of episodes, mad ones, scary ones, completely mad ones, good stuff to come.”
Explaining that the finishing touches are now being applied to episodes, the showrunner added that he took one home for his sister to watch and she was “literally at the edge of her seat”.
Davies was speaking at a special screening of the Doctor Who Christmas Special, and also revealed that some of the mysteries from Ncuti Gatwa’s first season as the Doctor will be revealed in season two… Including the origins of the mysterious Mrs Flood, played by Anita Dobson.
“She’s just so good, and it was lovely to see her in the role she’s in. She’s got some big surprises.”
Ncuti Gatwa’s ‘pinch me’ moment starring in Doctor Who
Lead actor, Ncuti Gatwa has now been in the role of the Doctor for a year, speaking at the same event, he described how he can still hardly believe the scale of the job he’s in.
“Riding around New York on a subway that was wrapped in Doctor Who lore and my face was wild.
“Anytime going to the States and hearing that there’s fans of Doctor Who there, it always blows my mind as to how global the show is and the reach of it.
“The whole experience is a pinch me moment.”
Ahead of the release of season two, Gatwa described turning up for work as the Doctor as a “rollercoaster”.
“As an artist it’s just a lot of fun, I get to do fun things. I’m always in a harness. Once a week I’m like flying from the ceiling.”
Meanwhile Russell T Davies described seeing Ncuti in action as his version of the Doctor as a “joy”.
“Every generation comes along and and owns it, and you just bring your own vocabulary to it, your own energy. And it’s a joy. It’s an absolute joy.
“And to watch and to see every day we get the rushes, and I’m so happy just to see where you’re pushing it, where you’re taking it.”
Ncuti Gatwa’s second series as the Doctor is expected to air in spring 2025.
