New Doctor Who companion Yasmin Finney, 18, found fame as Elle on Netflix’s Heartstopper after gaining popularity for her candid TikTok videos about growing up as a trans woman in Manchester
- Yasmin, 18, first shot to fame as Elle Argent in hit Netflix LGBTQIA+ teen romance Heartstopper, which was released on the streaming platform last month
- Yasmin plays the role of Elle, Charlie’s friend who moves to a girls school from the all-boys school and befriends lesbian couple Tara Jones (Corinna Brown) and Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell)
It was revealed that transgender actress Yasmin Finney is joining Doctor Who as a new Rose for the much-anticipated 60th anniversary of the show next year.
The BBC announced on Monday she will be named Rose, echoing Billie’s stint as the beloved companion to both David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston’s Doctors.
Speaking of her excitement at taking on the role, Yasmin said: ‘If anyone would have told eight year old Yasmin that one day she’d be part of this iconic show, I would have never in a million years believed them.
‘This show has a place in so many people’s hearts, so to be seen as a trans actress by the legend himself Russell, has not only made my year, it’s made my life.
‘I cannot wait to begin this journey and for you all to see how Rose blossoms. Get Ready.’
But who is Yasmin Finney, the transgender actress who is set to join the cast of the popular sci-fi series alongside new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa?
Amazing! It was revealed that transgender actress Yasmin Finney is joining Doctor Who as a new Rose for the much-anticipated 60th anniversary of the show next year
Yasmin, 18, first shot to fame as Elle Argent in hit Netflix LGBTQIA+ teen romance Heartstopper, which was released on the streaming platform last month.
The series follows students Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit O’Connor), who embark on a secret romance at Truham Grammar School for Boys.
Yasmin plays the role of Elle, Charlie’s friend who moves to a girls school from the all-boys school and befriends lesbian couple Tara Jones (Corinna Brown) and Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell).
Starring role: Yasmin, 18, first shot to fame as Elle Argent (pictured) in hit Netflix LGBTQIA+ teen romance Heartstopper, which was released on the streaming platform last month
In the eight-part series, Elle reveals she has a crush on her best friend Tao Xu (William Gao), who is also close friends with Charlie and Isaac (Tobie Donovan).
In an interview with REVAMP magazine, Yasmin spoke of the similarities between herself and Elle, as she revealed she moved secondary school just like her character does in the show.
She told the publication: ‘When I moved schools, it was to another mixed school but for Elle to move at 16/17 from an all-boys to an all-girls school… I had the option to do that but I wasn’t confident enough yet.
‘I didn’t yet know what was going on and what was in my head, it’s just a lot of anxiety to be around a whole new gender exclusively.’
Fame: Yasmin plays the role of Elle, Charlie’s friend who moves to a girls school from the all-boys school and navigates her crush on her best friend Tao Xu (William Gao)
Speaking about her career, Yasmin whose favourite movie is The Princess and the Frog, said she would love the opportunity to play a cis gender role – a person whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth.
She said most of her roles so far have been trans individuals but that she wants the opportunity to play a character that doesn’t ‘capitalise’ on her gender orientation.
‘I think it’s important trans people get equal opportunity at the cis roles as well as the trans roles,’ she added.
Before her breakthrough role in Heartstopper, Yasmin, who was born on August 30, 2003, starred in a number of local theatre productions while growing up in Manchester.
Among her theatre credentials, she featured in an array of productions at The Sackville Theatre on Manchester College’s Shena Simon Campus.
Yasmin starred as Leah in DNA, appeared in Port as Christine, played Ismone in Antigone and was involved in Tie as the character of Paris. She also performed at The Royal Exchange Theatre as Rose in Page to Stage.
Similarities: In an interview, Yasmin spoke of the similarities between herself and Elle, as she revealed she moved secondary school just like her character does in the show
Yasmin then secured her first on-screen role as the lead in Billy Porter’s directorial debut film What If? in August 2021, but was later forced to pull out of the project.
She was originally cast as teenager Kelsa, who embarks on a high school senior year relationship with Khal (Abubakr Ali) after he reveals his crush on the internet.
But Yasmin was forced to pull out of the project amid Covid-19 travel restrictions, which impacted her ability to get a US work visa, and she was replaced by Eva Reign in the role.
Yasmin, who was raised by her single-parent mother, has admitted that she doubted whether she would be able to break into the acting industry as a black queer woman.
Speaking to Elle magazine, she praised her mother for inspiring her to be ‘independent’ and admitted that she always dreamed of starting a clean slate in London as an actress.
Speaking of her hometown Manchester, she said: ‘Everybody knows me from before I transitioned.’
Identity: With an ambition to break through in entertainment, Yasmin first rose to prominence for on TikTok, where she shares her experience growing up as a trans woman
Last year, Yasmin shared a photograph of her new passport on Instagram showing her gender as female amid her transition. Alongside the picture, she wrote: ‘new passport who dis?’
With an ambition to break through in entertainment, Yasmin first rose to prominence for on TikTok, where she shares her experience growing up as a trans woman.
Yasmin has previously praised TikTok for helping her to realise that she could break into the entertainment industry after seeing an array of ‘young queer talent’ finding their voices on the platform.
In one video to mark International Transgender Day of Visibility, Yasmin shared a video of herself applying her make-up as she spoke about how she feels she has to ‘always represent’ as ‘one of the few trans actresses in the UK’.
In a voiceover, she said: ‘Happy International Transgender Day of Visibility! For those of you who don’t know, my name is Yasmin Finney and I’m a proud black trans woman. As most of you know, I started out my trans journey by documenting my experiences, through this platform, TikTok.
‘Since then, I managed to get a Netflix series where I also play a trans character, Elle, who is an absolute darling – can’t wait for you guys to see that!
Vocal: In one video to mark International Transgender Day of Visibility, Yasmin shared a video of herself applying her make-up as she spoke about how she feels she has to ‘always represent’ as ‘one of the few trans actresses in the UK’
Career: Yasmin, who was raised by her single-parent mother, has admitted that she doubted whether she would be able to break into the acting industry as a black queer woman
‘And yes, of course being one of the few trans actresses in the UK, I have to make sure that I’m always, always, always representing.
‘For those of you who want to know how to be more of an ally to the trans community, just educate yourself! And for all my trans dolls out there, thank you for being unapologetically yourself, especially in a world that seeks to get rid of us. 2022 the year of the queer!’
Her other videos have seen her hit back at transphobic hate comments, show off her sensational sense of style and incredible dance moves, while she has also been joined by her Heartstopper co-stars in other clips.
Yasmin, whose videos have been viewed more than 12million times, is often included on lists of TikTok’s biggest influencers and has an international fanbase, boasting 1.6million followers on the video sharing platform.
And in June last year, Yasmin was impressively named on GLAAD’s 20 Under 20 list, which recognised ‘the LGBTQ youth shaping the future’ of media and activism.
But Yasmin told Elle magazine that despite getting the prestigious title, she is still figuring things out and trying to find her voice as she said she spent her teenage years trying to find where she fit in.
TikTok: Her other videos have seen her hit back at transphobic hate comments, show off her sensational sense of style and incredible dance moves (left), while she has also been joined by her Heartstopper co-stars in other clips
‘Like everybody else I struggle with anxiety and I’ve not got the best skin because of puberty, but these things make me who I am,’ she explained.
‘I’m never going to look like Ariana Grande, but I’m not longer at a place in my life of wanting to look like somebody else.’
Yasmin impressively managed to break into the entertainment industry with her breakthrough role on Heartstopper at the age of 18, and has since featured on the cover of Attitude magazine’s May/June issue with her Netflix co-stars.
As well as finding success in acting, Yasmin also recently announced that she was one of the faces of the NYX Professional Makeup Proudly Pro-You platform.
NYX cosmetics worked with UK Black Pride and Stonewall to launch the campaign to represent LGBTQIA+ people of colour, and Yasmin starred in the promotional video.
The positive campaign also featured pop star Anne Marie, drag artist Tayce and NYX fan Carmen, who all spoke about the importance of being ‘proudly pro-you’.
Finding her feet: Yasmin has praised TikTok for helping her to realise that she could break into the TV industry after seeing ‘young queer talent’ find their voices on the platform
In the video, Yasmin is seen carrying the progress pride flag behind Tayce and later dances while speaking to camera.
Announcing her role in the project, Yasmin said in an Instagram post: ‘#AD It’s Here!! I am incredibly humbled and proud to finally share that I am one of the faces AND voices of the NYX Professional Makeup Proudly Pro-You platform.
‘Over the course of the last 12 months, @nyxcosmetics_uk has been working in partnership with @ukblackpride and @stonewalluk to support, represent and celebrate LGBTQIA+ people of colour.
‘They have also funded research, supporting UK Black Pride’s first Community action plan and celebrating diverse LGBTQIA+ creatives.’
After Heartstopper aired on April 22, Yasmin took to Instagram to pen an emotional statement about how the character of Elle had ‘changed’ her life.
Life-changing: After Heartstopper aired on April 22, Yasmin took to Instagram to pen an emotional statement about how the character of Elle had ‘changed’ her life
She gushed: ‘Elle Argent, You have genuinely changed my life & inspired me to be my most authentic self.
‘I wish I had you when I was growing up. Anyway I’ve cried enough happy tears for today! I love you and bring on spring.’
Yasmin has gained fans all over the world for her portrayal of Elle, with Heartstopper producer Patrick Walters previously speaking of the show’s determination to cast a black trans actress for the role.
He said: ‘Before we met Yasmin we were worried we wouldn’t find the right person to play that part.
‘There was a lot of pressure and we felt we couldn’t make the show without finding the right person who can transport you into this storyline.’
Also starring Oscar winner Olivia Colman, the series is based on the graphic novel series by Alice Oseman.
Incredible: In June last year, Yasmin was impressively named on GLAAD’s 20 Under 20 list, which recognised ‘the LGBTQ youth shaping the future’ of media and activism
Netflix’s official synopsis reads: ‘When gentle Charlie and rugby-loving Nick meet at secondary school, they quickly discover that their unlikely friendship is blossoming into an unexpected romance.
‘Charlie, Nick and their circle of friends must navigate the ever-relatable journey of self discovery and acceptance, supporting each other as they learn to find their most authentic selves.’
Yasmin recently admitted that she was ‘blessed’ to be chosen for the character of Elle as she said it is ‘rare’ to get to play a trans character with such a ‘positive’ story.
She told Pink News: ‘It really, really, really is such a rare story that we get a trans character that doesn’t delve into gender dysphoria, or depression, or bullying, but just the positive – the friendship, the chosen family, the moving from an all boys’ school to an all girls’ school.
‘Just everything that is natural about being trans is highlighted, and I’m just so happy to be that positive representation that we’ve needed for so many years.’
Heartstopper: Yasmin recently admitted that she was ‘blessed’ to be chosen for the character of Elle as she said it is ‘rare’ to get to play a trans character with such a ‘positive’ story. Yasmin is pictured with co-stars ) Sebastian Croft, Kit Connor and Joe Locke
Yasmin went on to speak of the importance of young trans people seeing themselves represented on screen, as she admitted she didn’t have that when she was younger.
The star also praised Heartstopper for not making Elle being trans the main focus of the character, instead allowing her to ‘love herself’ and explore who she is without societal pressures.
She added: ‘She’s just allowed to love herself with no society telling her what to do and how to act and how to look and who to love and how to be – she’s just her, and I think that’s what’s so beautiful about the trans story that we have in Heartstopper.’
But Yasmin has spoken about being targeted by transphobia in her own life, taking to Instagram earlier this month to hit back at one incident.
In the post, the actress revealed that as she left a restaurant earlier in the day a woman shouted at her: ‘Are you a boy or a girl?’
Role: The star praised Heartstopper for not making Elle being trans the main focus, instead allowing her to ‘love herself’ and explore who she is without societal pressures
She explained: ‘Are you a boy or a girl’ Today some women shouted this in front of all of her peers while I was about to leave a restaurant…’
‘Erm Idk [I don’t know] what do I look like to you?’.
Yasmin accompanied the post with a stunning snap as she showed off her incredible figure for the camera.
The star wore a gorgeous black dress with full skirt, racy cut outs and a thigh-high split.
Yasmin added: ‘I was clearly in shock when she said this and she then said, ‘I’m not transphobic I have trans friends’.’
‘At this point I’ve given up hope lol,’ she said.
Unfair: Yasmin has spoken about being targeted by transphobia in her own life, taking to Instagram earlier this month to hit back at one incident
After finding fame on Heartstopper, Yasmin is taking on another iconic role as she is joining Doctor Who for the 60th anniversary as a new companion.
The BBC announced on Monday she will be named Rose echoing Billie’s stint as the beloved companion to both David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston’s Doctors.
Russell T Davies, who revived the show in 2005 with the first episode entitled Rose, is back as the showrunner and said it was an ‘an absolute joy’ to have the trans actress on-board.
He added: ‘Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose?
‘You’ll find out in 2023, but it’s an absolute joy to welcome Yasmin to the Doctor Who set.
Impressive: Yasmin is taking on another iconic role as she is joining Doctor Who for the 60th anniversary as a new companion for the new doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa
‘We all fell in love with her in Heartstopper, one of those shows which changes the world – and now Yasmin can change the Whoniverse!’
Ncuti Gatwa, 29, who played a gay teen on Sex Education, is to be the 14th time travelling timelord after first female Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker steps down.
Ncuti and Yasmin were pictured posing together earlier this year, which led to speculation they would share the screen in Doctor Who, which has since been confirmed.
The 29-year-old, the first black actor to play a primary incarnation of the Doctor, told his 2.1million followers on Instagram that Yasmin was his ‘heartstopper’.
David Tennant and Catherine Tate, who also played the doctor’s companion in the 2000s, are also set to return to the new series but there have been no clues whether Billie will.
Iconic: The BBC announced on Monday she will be named Rose echoing Billie’s stint as the beloved companion to both David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston’s Doctors
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