Today it was announced that British television icons Stephen Fry (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, A Bit of Fry and Laurie) and Sir Lenny Henry CBE (Broadchurch, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) will both appear in the season 12 opener of Doctor Who.
What We Know
The official Doctor Who social media accounts have been busy hyping up fans about an announcement coming on November 23rd. Which many fans hope means a trailer and or a season 12 announcement date.
The only confirmation we have had around series 12 up until now has been that Doctor Who will return in early 2020. Jodie Whittaker will reprise her role as the Thirteenth Doctor alongside Tosin Cole (Ryan), Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Bradley Walsh (Graham) and that Chris Chibnall returns as Showrunner with Matt Strevens as Executive Producer.
It is still unknown if Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE will portray friends or foes of the Doctor. Our guess is that we will find out more on the 23rd.
Make space… 11.23.19 #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/RSp0LyXjxM
— Doctor Who on BBC America (@DoctorWho_BBCA) November 10, 2019
What They Said
Speaking ahead of his Doctor Who appearance, Stephen Fry said, “Short of being picked for a British space exploration program, 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.”
The showrunner Chris Chibnall has 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 favorite actors – and to be able to bring them into Doctor Who, in one of our biggest ever stories to kick off the new season, is an absolute thrill.”
Check back on November 23rd when we follow up on the rumored new series announcements and as we find out just how early in 2020 Doctor Who returns.
If you want a refresher on season 11 before the new series begins, check out our recaps and reviews.