'Doctor Who' Announces Four Cast Members For Christmas Special And Series 14
Specifically, that's two for Christmas, two in the Series
Last month, filming on series 14 of Doctor Who wrapped, just as the SAG-AFTRA strike was revving up over in the States. Still, a picture of what the Christmas special preceding those 8 episodes hasn’t quite been painted outside of it being the Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa’s first full adventure and the debut of his companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson. Now, there’s more casting announced for both.
Two joining for the Christmas special are Gemma Arrowsmith, known for sketch comedy series Gemma Arrowsmith Sketched Out as well as those with Tracey Ullman, namely writing for Tracey Ullman’s Show and Tracey Breaks the News and Mary Malone, known for The Prince and an episode of Vera. For series 14’s main episodes, Hollyoaks’ Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy and Still So Awkward’s Billy Brayshaw.
Executive producer Phil Collinson told Doctor Who Magazine: "The cast for our end-of-year special is continuing to grow. Though still with some names we haven't announced yet!..It is a delight to welcome two more names on board, Gemma Arrowsmith and Mary Malone... you won't have to wait long to find out how they connect to the Doctor and Ruby Sunday."
Collinson continued, welcoming the other two actors: "Coming up after that, in the 2024 series, it's a delight to open the studio doors to… Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy. His character in [Hollyoaks], Kesse, died of alcohol poisoning on his wedding day, so let's hope he has a more peaceful time in the Whoniverse. Although I can't promise! And, in a separate episode, we're delighted to say hello to Billy Brayshaw."
While the broader cast of the Christmas special, the first since the end of series 10 and then-showrunner Steven Moffat and Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi’s exit, is not known, series 14, set to air in spring 2024, will also feature Jemma Redgrave returning as Kate Stewart, Bonnie Langford returning as classic companion Melanie “Mel” Bush, with new characters including Lenny Rush as Morris, Aneurin Bernard as Roger ap Gwilliam, Jack Forsyth-Noble as Will, and Millie Kent as Valerie. Also cast but in currently-undisclosed roles are Jonathan Groff, Indira Varma, Anita Dobson, Michelle Greenidge, Bhav Joshi, Eilidh Loan, Pete Machale, Miles Yekinni and Hemi Yeroham, Sophie Ablett, and Jinkx Monsoon. Most of these are expected to be single-episode appearances. Murray Gold returns as the composer and Russell T. Davies returns as showrunner, starting with the 60th anniversary specials coming this fall. Those episodes will begin the series’ run on Disney+ internationally while remaining on the BBC at home.
Source: TVZone