The new Doctor Who trailer teases queer excellence

For fans of the time-bending sci-fi series Doctor Who, now is a particularly momentous moment in time. The venerable series is approaching its 60th anniversary—a milestone Doctor Who is celebrating with a three-part special. But despite its age, this series has always looked to the future, and the anniversary special will be a bold new step in LGBTQ+ representation in Doctor Who.

On Wednesday, Disney+ dropped both the trailer and the release date for the much-anticipated special. The trailer teases not only the return of David Tennant as the 14th Doctor but a slew of characters portrayed by queer actors.

Hearstopper’s Yasmin Finney will play Rose Temple-Noble, the daughter of the Doctor’s former companion Donna. Neil Patrick Harris and Miriam Margoyles are both playing villains, The Celestial Toymaker and Beep the Meep respectively. And lastly, the trailer ends with the mysterious arrival of the 15th Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa.

Helmed by It’s A Sin and Queer as Folk creator Russell T Davies, the anniversary special will set the stage for Gatwa’s starring role in the fourteenth season, planned for release in 2024. The new season will bring even more queer actors to the cast, including Jinkx Monsoon, Jonathan Groff, and newcomer Pete McHale.

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Reflecting on Gatwa’s casting, Davies has said, “Sometimes talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds.”

Davies likewise had nothing but praise for Finney. “When you get into the casting room there’s only one question: can you act? And that’s where she stole the show,” he recalled.
Although Doctor Who’s anniversary is technically on November 23, the first part of the anniversary special, “The Star Beast,” will premiere on November 25 on Disney+. Part Two, “Wild Blue Yonder,” will stream on December 2, and Part Three, “The Giggle,” will conclude the special on December 9.