Guest starring in opening episode

Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry will be appearing in the next series of Doctor Who, the BBC has announced.

Both will have roles in the opening episode of the next series, with Jodie Whittaker reprising her role as the 13th Doctor.  Details of their characters have not yet been revealed.

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 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 programme – which co-stars  Tosin Cole as Ryan, Mandip Gill as Yaz and Bradley Walsh as Graham – returns early in the new year.

Showrunner Chris Chibnall said: ‘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 one of our biggest ever stories to kick off the new series, is an absolute thrill.’

Published: 21 Nov 2019