Television

“I am so thrilled”: Jonathan Groff joins cast of Doctor Who in “iconic” role

By Conor Clark

5th May 2023

Jonathan Groff is the latest actor to join the star-studded cast of Doctor Who’s upcoming new season, the BBC has confirmed.

The award-winning actor will appear in what has been described as “a key role”.

“This is an incredible coup, and a great honour, to get such a huge star striding on to our set. So strap on your space boots, this is going to be a blast!” said showrunner Russell T Davies, who is widely credited as the driving force in the show’s revival in 2005, as well as spin offs such as Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

His original run on the series was met with overwhelming critical acclaim and has been widely attributed as a reason for the show’s success when it was rebooted in the 2000s, with viewers eagerly awaiting his return.

READ MORE: Doctor Who: Ncuti Gatwa’s Time-Lord goes back to the 60s in new photos

Discussing his upcoming role in the show, Groff said: “I am so thrilled to jump into the extraordinary mind of Russell T Davies and watch the incredible Ncuti Gatwa soar in this iconic role!”

Groff is best known for portraying Jessie in the controversial musical comedy drama Glee.

He has since appeared in Knock at the Cabin, Mindhunter and The Matrix: Resurrections, among other things.

Joining him in the upcoming instalment of Doctor Who will be two-time Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon, Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa and Coronation Street alum Millie Gibson, among others.

READ MORE: Doctor Who shares first look of Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon’s villain

Following three special episodes starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor to coincide with the 60th anniversary, Gatwa will take on the role of the Fifteenth Doctor over the festive period.

This is when Groff is expected to appear in the series given that filming for the festive episodes is believed to have wrapped.

Doctor Who will air on the BBC in the UK and Ireland, with Disney+ being its home elsewhere.