Doctor Who: The Interstellar Song Contest cast
Freddie Fox and Rylan Clark are among this week's guest stars.
Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Doctor Who episode The Interstellar Song Contest
The last episode of Doctor Who before this season's two-part finale comes from writer Juno Dawson, and sees the Doctor and Belinda land right in the middle of a far-future space version of Eurovision - The Interstellar Song Contest.
The episode has been scheduled to arrive right on the day this year's Eurovision final takes place, and follows the TARDIS duo as they find themselves up against dangerous hijacker Kid, played by Freddie Fox.
Other guest stars set to feature in the cast of this week's episode include Kadiff Kirwan and Charlie Condou, while Rylan Clark and Graham Norton play themselves.
But who else is in the cast for the episode and who do they all play? Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of Doctor Who season 15 episode 6, The Interstellar Song Contest.
Who's in the cast of Doctor Who: The Interstellar Song Contest? Full list of characters in season 15 episode 6
The main cast for Doctor Who: The Interstellar Song Conest is as follows. Scroll on to find out more about the characters, plus where you may have seen the actors previously.
- Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor
- Varada Sethu as Belinda Chandra
- Freddie Fox as Kid
- Kadiff Kirwan as Mike Gabbastone
- Charlie Condou as Gary Gabbastone
- Rylan Clark as himself
- Graham Norton as himself
- Julie Dray as Sabine
- Imogen Kingsley Smith as Runner
- Kiruna Stamell as Nina Maxwell
- Iona Anderson as Wynn Aura-Kin
- Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood
- Miriam-Teak Lee as Cora Saint Bavier
- Akemnji Ndifornyen as Len Kazah
- Christina Rotondo as Liz Lizardine
- Abdul Seesay as Jeddy Kine
Ncuti Gatwa plays the Doctor
Who is the Doctor? The Doctor is a time traveller from Gallifrey, and the last of the Time Lords. He travels in space and time in the TARDIS. This version of the character is known as the Fifteenth Doctor, although we know there have been a number of additional incarnations.
Where have I seen Ncuti Gatwa before? Beyond his role as the Doctor, Gatwa is best known for his role as Eric Effiong in Sex Education, as well as for starring in Barbie and Masters of the Air.
Varada Sethu plays Belinda Chandra
Who is Belinda Chandra? Belinda is a nurse from London who, in The Robot Revolution, was kidnapped by robots and flown into the stars on their rocket.
At the end of the episode she told the Doctor to take her home in the TARDIS, but he found himself unable to get back to that particular date, time and location. We don't yet know why this is the case, but ever since then they have been trying to get back.
Where have I seen Varada Sethu before? Sethu is no stranger for Doctor Who, having played Mundy Flynn in last season's episode 3, Boom. She is also known for her roles in series such as Andor, Strike Back, Doctor Foster, Hard Sun and Annika, as well as films including Now You See Me 2, Jurassic World: Dominion and I Came By.
Freddie Fox plays Kid
Who is Kid? Kid is a dangerous hijacker and the revolutionary leader of a group who are trying to get justice for wrongs that they want to tell the universe about.
Where have I seen Freddie Fox before? Fox has previously had roles in series including The Shadow Line, Banana, Cucumber, Year of the Rabbit, White House Farm, The Crown, The Great, Slow Horses, The Gentlemen and House of the Dragon, as well as films such as St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, The Three Musketeers, Pride, The Riot Club, Victor Frankenstein, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.
Kadiff Kirwan plays Mike Gabbastone
Who is Mike Gabbastone? Mike is Gary's husband, and is attending The Interstellar Song Contest with him. Gary and Mike are on the verge of divorce.
Where have I seen Kadiff Kirwan before? Kirwan has had roles in series including Crims, Black Mirror, Chewing Gum, Strike, Zapped, Fleabag, Timewasters, The Stranger, Inside No. 9, Dodo, This Way Up, This Is Going to Hurt, Slow Horses and Everyone Else Burns, as well as films such as Mary Queen of Scots, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu and My Policeman.
Charlie Condou plays Gary Gabbastone
Who is Gary Gabbastone? Gary is Mike's husband and a fan of The Interstellar Song Contest. Gary and Mike are on the verge of divorce.
Where have I seen Charlie Condou before? Condou has had roles in series including The Armstrong and Miller Show, Nathan Barley, Coronation Street, Unforgotten, Holby City and The Madame Blanc Mysteries, as well as films such as Fred Claus.
Rylan Clark plays himself
Who is Rylan Clark? In the episode, Rylan is the host of The Interstellar Song Contest.
Where have I seen Rylan Clark before? Clark first became famous for appearing on The X Factor, but has gone on to present shows including Big Brother, This Morning, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and Supermarket Sweep, along with many more.
Graham Norton plays himself
Who is Graham Norton? In real life, Graham Norton provides the commentary for The Interstellar Song Contest – here, he’s represented by way of a hologram and delivers dire news to the Doctor and Belinda…
Where have I seen Graham Norton before? Norton is best known for presenting his own chat show, The Graham Norton Show, while he has acted in series and films including Father Ted, Mandy, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga and Soul.
Julie Dray plays Sabine
Who is Sabine? Sabine is Rylan's co-host of The Interstellar Song Contest.
Where have I seen Julie Dray before? Dray is a French actor who has had roles in series including Crashing, Back, War of the Worlds, Avenue 5, The Curse and Ludwig, amongst many others.
Kiruna Stamell plays Nina Maxwell
Who is Nina Maxwell? Nina works behind the scenes on The Interstellar Song Contest.
Where have I seen Kiruna Stamell before? Stamell has had roles in series including EastEnders, Life's Too Short, The New Pope, Brassic, The Serpent Queen, Best Interests, Piglets, Doctors and The Listeners.
Iona Anderson plays Wynn Aura-Kin
Who is Wynn Aura-Kin? Wynn works behind the scenes on The Interstellar Song Contest – but is secretly a saboteur, working alongside Kid.
Where have I seen Iona Anderson before? Anderson has previously had roles in The Long Call, Six Four and Grace.
Anita Dobson plays Mrs Flood
Who is Mrs Flood? Mrs Flood is a mysterious figure, who previously posed as the next-door neighbour of the Doctor's former companion, Ruby Sunday, and recently was seen posing as the neighbour of Belinda Chandra.
She has a habit of speaking directly to the camera, and has made many threatening assertions towards the Doctor, although he is yet to become aware of her.
Speaking with RadioTimes.com, showrunner Russell T Davies confirmed she is a "villain", and that she will be "popping up every week" – and in The Interstellar Song Contest, we learn that she is the latest incarnation of the Doctor’s old nemesis, the Rani.
Where have I seen Anita Dobson before? Dobson is best known for playing Angie Watts in EastEnders, while she has also appeared in series including Casualty, Call the Midwife, Dodger and Inside No. 9, and took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2011.
Miriam-Teak Lee plays Cora Saint Bavier
Who is Cora Saint Bavier? Cora is a contestant featuring in The Interstellar Song Contest – though representing the planet Trion, she is secretly a member of the hated Hellion race.
Where have I seen Miriam-Teak Lee before? Lee has previously had roles in series and films including Moominvalley and My Bloody Galentine.
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Akemnji Ndifornyen plays Len Kazah
Who is Len Kazah? Len is an associate of Cora who turns on her when he discovers her true heritage.
Where have I seen Akemnji Ndifornyen before? Ndifornyen has had roles in series including Doctors, Leonardo, Death in Paradise, Shrill, Famalam, The Queen's Gambit, Black Ops and Dreaming Whilst Black, as well as films such as Catherine Called Birdy and The Ballad of Wallis Island.
Christina Rotondo plays Liz Lizardine
Who is Liz Lizardine? Liz is a contestant featuring in The Interstellar Song Contest.
Where have I seen Christina Rotondo before? Rotondo only has one previous on-screen credit, for playing Janis Goblin in Doctor Who 2023 Christmas special The Church on Ruby Road.
Archie Panjabi plays the Rani
Who is the Rani? In a dramatic mid-credits twist, Mrs Flood reveals herself as a "Time Lady" and bi-generates, splitting into two incarnations – the second played by Archie Panjabi, who declares herself "the Rani – the definite article".
The Rani is no stranger to long-time Doctor Who fans. A renegade Time Lord and amoral biochemist, she first appeared in the 1980s, portrayed by Kate O'Mara. Known for her ruthless scientific pursuits and disregard for ethical boundaries, the Rani clashed with both the Doctor and the Master in classic stories such as The Mark of the Rani and Time and the Rani. Her last on-screen appearance came in 1993’s charity special Dimensions in Time, but she’s remained a fan-favourite, resurfacing in audio dramas and novels, with Siobhan Redmond taking on the role in Big Finish productions.
Where have I seen Archie Panjabi before? Panjabi is best known for her Emmy-winning role as Kalinda Sharma in US TV drama The Good Wife (2009–2015).
Panjabi made early impressions in British films such as East Is East and Bend It Like Beckham, and later gained international recognition for her powerful performances in both television and film. She became the first Asian actor to win a Primetime Emmy Award for acting, earning widespread acclaim for her portrayal of the enigmatic Kalinda.
Beyond The Good Wife, Panjabi has appeared in shows including The Fall, Blindspot, Departure, and Hijack, as well as films like A Mighty Heart (2007).
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
