'Doctor Who' Cast News, Plot Spoilers: Series 9 to Feature the Show's First Transgender Cast Member
The upcoming Series 9 of BBC's cult-classic fantasy drama TV series "Doctor Who" will feature the first transgender cast member in the history of the show, according to reports.
Entertainment Weekly reported that transgender actress and stand-up comedian Bethany Black has been cast in a role for the new season of the British show. The publication did, however, clarify that she won't be taking on a transgender role in the series.
Black will debut in a Mark Gatiss-penned episode which will also showcase the acts of the scribe's "League of Gentlemen" co-star, Reece Shearsmith.
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Black, meanwhile, went to her social media to reveal her immense fascination of the show and her utter delight in joining the series in a very historical way.
"Ever since I was little, I mean tiny, the TV has been my best friend. Growing up as a queer kid in rural Lancashire in the early 80's That and my Commodore 64 were my only escape. I watched everything, but especially Doctor Who. My earliest TV memory was Peter Davison in Doctor Who in Four to Doomsday, I remember running into the lounge, running away from the music, running back in and hiding behind the couch, leaving when it got too much. I've been a Doctor Who fan ever since," she said.
"When I went down for the read through and saw my name on the table next to Jenna Coleman's it suddenly started to feel real," she continued.
"It is genuinely the greatest job I could ever have imagined getting. Everything about it is magical. I'm enjoying every day of filming and cherishing it, because you never know if you'll ever get to do anything like this again. I only hope that I do the role and the show justice, and that you all enjoy it. For me it's the gig of a lifetime," Black said.
"Doctor Who" Series 9 premieres Sept. 19 on BBC One.
