Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry set for epic Doctor Who appearances in season 12
WITH the TARDIS hurtling full throttle on its way back to screens, it is only right that two TV legends will be making their Doctor Who debuts.
Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE will both appear in the series opener when the TARDIS lands once more, with Jodie Whittaker reprising her role as the Thirteenth Doctor.
Armed with a wealth of acting, comedy and writing credentials, both are well equipped to come face to face with the Time Lord and her friends, but will they be friend or foe remains to be seen.
Speaking ahead of his Doctor Who appearance Stephen Fry said: “Short of being picked for a British space exploration programme and I readily concede that I’m past the age where I’d be considered (if I was ever the right age for such a posting) – then being in an episode of Doctor Who will certainly do as a very sweet second-place excitement.”
Sir Lenny Henry CBE added: “It was absolutely brilliant to be welcomed into the fantastical world of Doctor Who.
“The nearest I have been to the TARDIS was when I played the Caribbean Doctor in the Lenny Henry Show, so as a life-long (hiding behind the sofa type) Doctor Who fan this is a very special moment for me.”
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Meanwhile Chris Chibnall, Showrunner said: “Doctor Who is coming back with a bang, with two great British icons in major roles. One of the great joys of Doctor Who is getting to work with actors from your wish list.
“Stephen and Lenny are two of my absolute favourite actors and to be able to bring them into Doctor Who, in our one of our biggest ever stories to kick off the new series, is an absolute thrill.”
The announcement comes after the BBC treated fans to a first look at season 12 earlier this week.
The accompanying caption confirmed that filming was complete and the show was now firmly in the editing stage.
“That’s a wrap, we’ve finished filming! Are you ready for Series 12?” the post read.
Unsurprisingly, the answer was a resounding ‘yes’ from fans, who were quick to reply in their hundreds.
Elsewhere, cast member Bradley Walsh teased that the gang will face their most deadly foes to date in season 12.
“I've got to say, be prepared for the monsters, because there are some monsters that will absolutely make your hair curl,” he said.
"There's a couple of monsters that they've come up with that are absolutely terrifying – and I mean terrifying," he added to Radio Times.
Doctor Who will return to BBC One and iPlayer in early 2020.