Strictly Come Dancing winner lands new role in major BBC series

Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis has secured a significant role in the popular BBC series, Doctor Who.

The actress, known for her role in EastEnders and her 2021 Strictly win with Giovanni Pernice, will be joining the acclaimed show alongside the 15th Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and actors Lenny James, Jonathan Groff and Anita Dobson.

Showrunner Russell T Davies praised Rose's contribution to the programme, stating that she 'takes it a whole new level'. He commented: "We always want guest actors on Doctor Who to have fun, but Rose takes it to a whole new level."

He further highlighted her 'performance of terror', saying: "She storms in with an astonishing performance of terror, anger and bravery in one of the most frightening episodes we've ever made."

Rose expressed her enthusiasm about working with Sex Education star Ncuti, stating: "Ncuti is a wonderful Doctor, and I can't wait for audiences to see what we have created together," reports the Mirror.

She confessed to being a big Doctor Who fan as a child, making her involvement in the show "a dream come true".

"My inner child is ecstatic with excitement! Working with Russell and filming alongside the talented cast and crew has been an incredible experience," she added. Rose is best recognised for her portrayal of Frankie Lewis from 2020 to 2022.

After leaving the soap, she also featured in Ludwig as Freya Chordwell. Earlier this year, it was announced that she would feature in Reunion, an upcoming BBC thriller. The series is described as an "emotional thriller of revenge and redemption", with the majority of the cast and crew either Deaf or using British Sign Language (BSL).

Reunion tells the tale of Daniel Brennan (portrayed by Matthew Gurney), a Deaf man recently released from prison who finds it challenging to "fully integrate into the hearing world.

The synopsis reveals that Daniel is shunned by his closest friends and the wider deaf community following his heinous crimes. He strives to make amends while uncovering the truth about the events that led to his imprisonment.

His only close relationship is with his daughter Carly (played by Lara Peake). Anne-Marie Duff, known for her role in Bad Sister, portrays Christine, a character desperate to uncover the truth about Daniel's actions.

Eddie Marsan plays her boyfriend Stephen Renworth, while Strictly winner Rose takes on the role of Miri, Christine's daughter. Other stars appearing in the show include Stephen Collins, Ace Mahbaz, Sophie Stone and Olive Gray.