Yasmin Finney is the latest cover star for British Vogue.
The actress memorably rose to fame earlier this year as Elle Argent on Netflix’s acclaimed teen drama, Heartstopper, which follows the blossoming romance between queer teenager Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor).
Finney has since become one of the media’s most prominent trans women with various fashion campaigns and confirmed roles in Yungblud’s upcoming short film and Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary special as Rose, the titular character’s new companion.
In her interview with British Vogue, the 19-year-old said her character will “change the world”.
Although she couldn’t reveal more details because “there are spies” and if she discusses the “Whoinverse, it’s over”, Finney said she felt so “honoured” to be seen by Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, whose legendary credits include Queer as Folk, Cucumber and It’s A Sin.
“I remember growing up idolising it,” Finney continued of the “very inclusive” new iteration of Doctor Who, which will see Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa take over David Tennant after his second stint as the iconic Time Lord. “I’m happy to be the representation on a show that means a lot to so many.”
Speaking with British Vogue over email, Davies said of her casting: “When you get into the casting room, there’s only one question: can you act?
“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.”
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Davies said watching Finney has been “an education,” adding: “to see someone commanding such attention – and let’s face it, such enmity – with grace and wit and a wonderful smile”.
Finney also reflected on her success in her conversation with British Vogue and how she can finally “raise myself up the way that I should have been raised.”
“All the people that doubted me, they’ve got nothing on me anymore, you know? Not that I did it for them. But it’s like the cherry on top,” she explained.
“I just like to know that people are realising that everything I did from a young age, I wasn’t in the wrong. Everything I did was perfectly fine.”
The star confirmed that her Doctor Who character will be trans during a powerful speech at London Trans+ Pride March.
“How many of you have seen Doctor Who?” Finney addressed the crowd.
“Yeah, because that is also a moment and that is also a show where my character is trans. So, Boris [Johnson], I hope you see Heartstopper, I hope you see Doctor Who, because I exist, and I know you know I exist.
“We all exist, and we’re not going anywhere! Period.”
You can read Yasmin Finney’s full interview with British Vogue here.
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