Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies teases Yasmin Finney’s ‘show-stealing’ turn
Russell T Davies loved every moment of the star’s audition. (Vogue/Getty/Envato)
Russell T Davies has opened up about Yasmin Finney’s Doctor Who audition.
The It’s a Sin creator spoke to British Vogue for a profile of Finney, who graces the magazine’s December cover.
He described the awe he and other casting directors felt during Finney’s audition for Doctor Who, saying that “she stole the show.”
“When you get into the casting room, there’s only one question: can you act?” he told Vogue. “And that’s where she stole the show. She was immediately right.
“My greatest worry was whether 57 other shows would snap her up instead.”
Finney auditioned for Doctor Who before her breakout series, Heartstopper, had been released.
While she was unknown, Davies said “to see someone commanding such attention” immediately sold him on her ability, while her “grace and wit and wonderful smile” further bolstered her appeal.
“I feel so honoured to be seen by Russell,” Finney told Vogue. “I remember growing up idolizing [Doctor Who]… I’m happy to be the representation on a show that means a lot to so many.”
Russell T Davies during the “It’s a Sin” Times Television Festival, at BFI Southbank. (Getty)Yasmin Finney’s involvement in the new Doctor Who series, which also marks Davies’ return to the show, was announced in May 2022.
The BBC confirmed the Heartstopper actor would play a character named Rose in three episodes that airing November 2023, to mark the show’s 60th anniversary.
Finney’s audition for Doctor Who took place before Heartstopper was released. Before then, Finney’s main claim to fame was her viral success on TikTok, where she currently has 1.8 million followers.
She admitted during the discussion that the attention she had received for the role saw past bullies suddenly flip into adoring fans, saying: “I don’t hold grudges, but you know, it’s crazy to think how the script’s flipped.”
Doctor Who isn’t the only British media pillar that Finney is looking to conquer, having had her eyes on becoming a Bond girl.
In an interview with The Mirror, she explained that she would “love to be a trans Bond girl – or just a Bond girl in general.
“Every time I watch a Bond film, I think I would love to be that cool, sexy Bond girl that has never been done before.”
Russell T Davies felt similarly about Ncuti Gatwa’s audition
Russell T Davies has been steadily ramping up anticipation for his new Doctor Who era, which will see David Tenant play a new, 14th iteration of The Doctor, before Ncuti Gatwa takes over as the 15th Doctor.
Gatwa was described by Davies as “thunderbolt” who blew him away after he walked into the casting room.
“I’d watched him onscreen, and thought I had the measure of him, until he walked into the room,” Davies said. “He’s conquered the world. Now all of time and space is his.”
In response, Gatwa posted an Instagram message saying “Thank you [Russell T Davies], your words are a constant blessing in my life it seems.”
