Seeing Double: Doctor Who Casts Yasmin Kinney as a New Rose

As Rose Tyler, Billie Piper became the first companion in Doctor Who’s relaunch in 2005. She began the series as a nineteen-year-old retail worker with little motivation to a strong leader who stands up for those in need. She ended her run on the show trapped in another universe with a mortal version of the Doctor. She was last seen in the 2013 50th anniversary special (though really it was just a representation of her, not actually Rose herself). Now, audiences will be introduced to a new Rose, played by eighteen-year-old trans actress Yasmin Finney (Heartstopper).

Showrunner Russell T Davies teased: 

Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose? You’ll find out in 2023, but it’s an absolute joy to welcome Yasmin to the Doctor Who set.

The connection between Piper’s Rose and Finney’s Rose remains unknown, if there is any at all, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation. Among fans’ guesses have the possibility of a Rose Tyler from another universe has been thrown out there, as well as the idea that this new Rose is Donna Noble’s child.

Kinney has not been any more forthcoming about her character as she expressed her excitement for joining the show:

If anyone would have told 8-year-old Yasmin that one day she’d be part of this iconic show, I would have never in a million years believed them. This show has a place in so many people’s hearts, so to be seen as a trans actress by the legend himself, Russell has not only made my year, it’s made my life. I cannot wait to begin this journey and for you all to see how Rose blossoms. Get ready.

Doctor Who fans have received a lot of exciting news recently, from the casting of Ncuti Gatwa as the fourteenth Doctor to the return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Kinney will be joining the franchise in 2023.

Yasmin Kinney. Courtesy of BBC