Doctor Who: Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE to feature in Series 12!

Two British legends will be appearing in Doctor Who in 2020, with both Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE to feature in Series 12’s opening episode!

At 10pm UK time last night, the BBC made a special announcement regarding Series 12 of Doctor Who. Stephen Fry and Sir Lenny Henry CBE – two icons of British television – will be appearing in the opening episode of the new series!

This is definitely some incredibly impressive casting. Both Fry and Henry have been legends on British television for decades. In fact, Fry has worked in Doctor Who before – in 2001 and 2002, he played the Minister of Chance in the webcast audio drama Death Comes to Time, starring Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor. But this will be his first role for the TV series. Unsurprisingly, he’s extremely excited about it.

"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."

Award winning Sir Lenny Henry will also star in Series 12’s opening episode.

(Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

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Sir Lenny Henry CBE

As for Lenny Henry, while this will be his first appearance in the actual series, he has played the Doctor before, as he reveals.

"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."

This is pretty big casting news. Both names will be a huge draw for the British public, especially in one episode. I know that I’m excited, and unsurprisingly, the same is true for showrunner Chris Chibnall, too.

"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."

I’ll say this much of Chris Chibnall – regardless of my thoughts on him as a story teller, he knows how to bring the ratings in. With two such big name actors featuring in just the first episode, Series 12 is sure to be a ratings hit. But will the story itself be a classic? We’ll just have to wait and see…

Which actor are you more excited about appearing in Doctor Who? Do you think they’ll be playing an ally or an enemy for the Doctor? Let us know in the comments below.