Kadiff Kirwan has become the latest high-profile star to join the cast of Doctor Who, ready to embark on a new adventure as the beloved BBC series prepares to launch its highly-anticipated second season. The actor, aged 36, will join Ncuti Gatwa, who plays the fifteenth Doctor, and Varada Sethu, known as Belinda Chandra, on a quest featuring thrilling new challenges and adversaries.
Launching on April 12, 2025, Doctor Who aims to reinvigorate interest among fans who have expressed concerns about the show’s recent trajectory. Kirwan is well-known for his roles in Death In Paradise, Black Mirror, Fleabag, and Slow Horses, and he exuded excitement about joining such a storied franchise.
"I feel elated to be joining the rich legacy of actors who have guest-starred in Doctor Who. Russell T Davies and Juno Dawson have truly outdone themselves with this episode in what I can only describe as an intergalactic gargantuan extravaganza. It's packed with gravity-defying mastery beyond imagination, and being a part of it is an absolute dream. Strap in Whovians, this one is gonna rock your world!" These heartfelt words came from Kirwan, highlighting the thrill of contributing to the franchise's legacy.
Showrunner Russell T Davies celebrated Kirwan's talent, stating, "We're so lucky in Cardiff to open the doors to world-class talent, and it's been a riot, getting to work with Kadiff. I've loved his work on TV and stage for a long time, so when we realised he was available and happy to come on board, that was truly a great day in the office!" His enthusiasm reflects a commitment to bringing together notable talents to enhance the series.
The new season is set to feature a Eurovision-themed episode, with guest stars such as TV presenter Rylan Clark, who will play himself as the co-host of an outer-space version of the song contest dubbed the Interstellar Song Contest. Rylan expressed his delight at being part of the show: "As a massive Whovian, getting the call to be in Doctor Who was a call I've always dreamed of getting. The episode is all my favourite things about the show with an added song contest set in space. It really is a dream come true. I can't wait for everyone to see it. It really is going to be out of this world!"
The trailer for the new season released on March 16, 2025, revealed additional surprise guest stars set to adventure with the Doctor, including Anita Dobson, Bonnie Langford, Jemma Redgrave, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Christopher Chung, Evelyn Miller, Ariyon Bakare, Julie Dray, and Jonah Hauer-King, along with Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson.
Despite the excitement surrounding the new season, there are troubling whispers regarding the series’ future. Ncuti Gatwa, who took on the role of the Doctor in 2023, might not continue beyond this upcoming season due to declining ratings. Reports indicate that Gatwa's first season drew only between 2.25 million and 3.18 million viewers, significantly lower than the show’s historical averages. Insiders suggest that he may have filmed his regeneration exit scene already, which puts both the future of his character and the series itself in jeopardy.
As a source revealed to the press, "Ncuti doesn't want to be tied to the series beyond this and plans to relocate to Los Angeles with several Hollywood projects standing by for him. His team also sees a lot of fan backlash from the series, and they don't want the perception of him still being The Doctor to get in the way of any future work." This undercurrent of uncertainty places additional pressure on the newly launched season.
Furthermore, the perceived shift in the narrative style, with critics marking the show’s latest direction as leaning too heavily on certain agendas rather than engaging storytelling, has not sat well with some longtime fans. Reports of deteriorating management over the past few years have led to frustrations among the crew, with many feeling sidelined by new leadership. There’s a sense that the heart of Doctor Who is at risk.
Juno Dawson, the writer for the upcoming season, remarked, "It's the most ridiculous episode they've ever done - and the most expensive." Dawson’s whimsical approach can be seen as an effort to push the envelope, even while the show faces an uncertain fate.
With the new season just a few weeks away, audiences eagerly anticipate what falls next in the legendary timeline of Doctor Who. Will Kadiff Kirwan and the high-profile guest stars revitalize the show’s viewership, or is this new beginning merely the last gasp of an iconic series? Time will surely tell.
