Doctor Who casts yet another dreamy queer actor for new season

The Christmas special is not even out yet, but for queer fans, the upcoming installments of Doctor Who are the gifts that keep on giving. In addition to the already stacked LGBTQ+ cast, another queer actor has been announced for a new role.

Comedian Mawaan Rizwan will be introduced in a charity special later this week, before joining the full cast in the upcoming three-part anniversary special.

According to the BBC, Rizwan will play “a mysterious new character” who meets the Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant) during an exclusive scene for BBC Children in Need. Following their encounter, “the Doctor uncovers an age-old mystery involving one of his oldest foes…”

“It was such an unbelievable joy to work with my Whoniverse idols David Tennant and Russell T Davies,” Rizwan said. “My inner child was losing his mind on set.”

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A post shared by Mawaan Rizwan 🧃 (@mawaanr)

Rizwan also celebrated the news on social media, posting a picture of his character and writing, “Look who’s popping into the Whoniverse.”

“So exciting!!!” commented showrunner Russell T Davies.

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Rizwan got his start on YouTube before signing on with Disney XD UK. After filming the documentary How Gay Is Pakistan?, which highlights the lives of queer Muslims, he furthered his career as a standup comedian, opening for Jonathan Van Ness on tour. He has written for Sex Education and produced, wrote and starred in the recently released queer comedy series Juice.

The three-part anniversary special of Doctor Who will set the stage not only for the upcoming season but for the arrival of the Fifteenth Doctor, the recently out Ncuti Gatwa. Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney will play the daughter of the doctor’s former companion. Neil Patrick Harris will play classic villain The Toymaker while Miriam Margoyles will lend her voice to Beep The Meep.

After the anniversary special airs, the new season of Doctor Who will keep the queer excellence flowing. Jynx Monsoon, Jonathan Groff and trans newcomer Pete MacHale, have all been announced as guest stars.
The exclusive Doctor Who scene for Children in Need will air this Friday on BBC and iPlayer for UK audiences. The anniversary special will be available for streaming on Disney+ starting November 25, concluding on December 9. The release date for the new season of Doctor Who has not yet been announced, but it is slated for 2024.