Let’s Talk About the Trans Representation in New ‘Doctor Who’ Episode

Yasmin Finney made her Doctor Who debut in “The Star Beast.” Here’s how the showrunner and viewers are reacting to the episode.

This Doctor Who episode is truly one for the books, marking a momentous return with David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their beloved roles. Plus, there’s a glimpse into Ncuti Gatwa‘s portrayal of the Doctor and a heartwarming trans narrative that unfolds through Yasmin Finney’s character, Rose.

Heartstopper‘s Yasmin Finney takes on the role of Rose Noble, Donna’s trans daughter in this groundbreaking Doctor Who episode. Her portrayal marks a significant stride in queer representation on television, earning swift acclaim from fans for the episode’s thorough exploration of her identity.

Russell T Davies on Game-Changing Trans Character

In a clip shared by Doctor Who online, Finney described Rose as a “young, youthful queer person with so much confidence.”

“It’s the representation that I never had and a lot of younger generations are going to have, so it’s really exciting,” she continued.

Doctor Who‘s returning maestro, Russell T Davies, also spoke on why featuring a trans character in the upcoming season is a game-changer, shedding light on the crucial significance it adds to the show.

“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 reflect more of society.

“And it’s funny in casting Yasmin, [Rose] was a 15-year-old of mixed race there’s very few people we could have and it’s like she came down from heaven and there she was, before Heartstopper actually.

“It was just so powerfully meant to me, and I think she does the most amazing job, and it’s an absolute privilege to work with her, to get her on screen.”

“The Star Beast” is the first of three specials celebrating the 60th anniversary of the BBC show. The next episode will air on BBC One on Saturday, December 2 at 6:30 pm.

More Stories:

• Meet the Ghostly Gang Behind Netflix’s ‘Dead Boy Detectives’
• Anne Hathaway & Nicholas Galitzine Ignite Chemistry in ‘The Idea of You’
• ‘Bridgerton’ Cast Dishes on Dazzling Transformations and Timeless Tropes in S3
• Jeremiah Brent Grabs the Queer Eye Baton from Bobby Berk!
• Was Andrew Scott Snubbed During Awards Season for Being Gay?