Warning: Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 14, episode 1, "Space Babies."

Summary

  • Nan-E's surprising reveal as Jocelyn adds depth to the narrative of Doctor Who's "Space Babies" episode.
  • Golda Rosheuvel, known for Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton, shines as Jocelyn in Doctor Who, showcasing her talent.
  • Rosheuvel's experience, including roles in Torchwood and Dune, enhances Doctor Who season 14's first episode.

Doctor Who season 14, episode 1, "Space Babies," features a guest star that certain viewers may recognize from elsewhere. The artificial intelligence character of Nan-E, who is eventually revealed to be a flesh-and-blood figure called Jocelyn, plays a key part in "Space Babies," with her almost-duel performance weaving its way through the episode's narrative. The actor who plays Jocelyn tends to pop up in various productions, but there's one role in particular that she's arguably the most known for.

Jocelyn is one of the newest original characters to debut during Ncuti Gatwa's reign as the Fifteenth Doctor, and even during Disney's Doctor Who era. While the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials were also co-produced by Disney, the trio of episodes focused largely on existing characters, including the return of David Tennant to the show's lead role as well as Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. So, although Jocelyn isn't the first new character of the show's new era, she is still one of the first to appear during Gatwa's first full season as the Doctor.

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Doctor Who has been a fixture on TV screens for 60 years, meaning there are plenty of stories to choose from when picking out the Time Lord's best.

Doctor Who's Nan-E Actor Is Queen Charlotte From Bridgerton

Queen Charlotte also received a spinoff prequel show

Nan-E/Jocelyn is played by Golda Roshuevel, who many will recognize from Netflix's Bridgerton. Roshuevel has been an important member of the Bridgerton cast since the historical romance show began in 2020, appearing as Queen Charlotte in almost every episode of the first two seasons. The actor will also return as part of the Bridgerton season 3 cast when the first four episodes hit Netflix on May 16, 2024.

The final four episodes of Bridgerton season 3 also land on Netflix on June 13, 2024.

Queen Charlotte was such a popular character that she was chosen as the main figure around which the project's first spinoff show was built. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a prequel to the original series, showing the titular monarch's rise to power. Although Golda Roshuevel does feature as a part of the Queen Charlotte cast, she shares the lead role. Rosheuvel embodies the character during the scenes set in 1814, and India Amarteifio plays a younger version of Queen Charlotte in 1761.

Where Else You Know Golda Rosheuvel From

Rosheuvel has appeared as part of Doctor Who canon before

Golda Rosheuvel as Shadout Mapes in Dune: Part One

Queen Charlotte is Golda Rosheuvel's biggest role to date, but the actor has also appeared in some other big projects. Interestingly, Jocelyn is actually Rosheuvel's second character in the Doctor Who universe, starring as Dr. Angela Connolly in two episodes of Torchwood season 2. After several small roles in British soap operas, Rosheuvel also made it into 2021's Dune: Part One as Shadout Mapes. So, Doctor Who's "Space Babies" episode benefited from the presence of a thoroughly experienced and talented actor.

Episode

Disney+ Release Date

"Space Babies" & "The Devil's Chord"

May 10

"Boom"

May 17

"73 Yards"

May 24

"Dot & Bubble"

May 31

"Rogue"

June 7

"The Legend of Ruby Sunday"

June 14

"Empire of Death"

June 21

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Originally premiered in 1963, Doctor Who is a sci-fi series that follows a powerful being known as a Time Lord, referred to as the Doctor. Using an interdimensional time-traveling ship known as the TARDIS, the Doctor travels time and space with various companions as they solve multiple problems and help avert catastrophe as much as they almost cause it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they experience regenerations, allowing them to be recast every few seasons as a unique immortal being with new personality traits.

Cast
Jenna Coleman , Jodie Whittaker , Alex Kingston , David Tennant , Matt Smith , Peter Capaldi
Release Date
November 23, 1963
Seasons
26