Yasmin Finney reflects on Doctor Who fandom, her loved ones, and dealing with online trolls.

Yasmin Finney, a 20-year-old trans actress, has recently appeared in the television show Doctor Who as the character Rose Noble. She describes being part of the cast as a wonderful experience that has given her a sense of belonging and family. However, Yasmin is estranged from much of her extended family due to their beliefs, which she attributes to her transgender identity. With nearly two million followers on TikTok, Yasmin has been open about her experiences as a transgender black woman and her journey as an actress. Growing up in Manchester, she found solace in playing the character Elle in Heartstopper, which allowed her to relive her school experiences in a different way. Although she didn't have the opportunity to attend drama school or see theater shows regularly, Yasmin is grateful for the roles she has played so far, as they have provided her with a glimpse of the experiences she missed out on growing up. Yasmin became a fan of Doctor Who because of David Tennant and Catherine Tate's performances as The Doctor and Donna Noble. Now, as the series celebrates its 60th anniversary, Yasmin considers it an honor to work alongside them. However, being cast as Rose and sharing the same name as Billie Piper's character, Rose Tyler, has also brought some pressure and backlash from online trolls. Despite this, Yasmin remains focused on delivering a great performance and representing marginalized communities in a positive way. She believes that actors should be able to play any role regardless of their identity and hopes to be a role model for trans individuals while also portraying a variety of characters. Yasmin emphasizes the importance of representation and hopes that debates surrounding casting choices will soon become a thing of the past. The final episode of the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special will air on December 9.