Doctor Who is set to welcome a new guest star in the form of Ariyon Bakare, who has previously appeared in a number of popular shows.
WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Who.
Doctor Who is in full swing, with actor Ariyon Bakare set to join the cast in episode five, The Story and the Engine.
Doctor Who has been a cornerstone of BBC programming since its original launch in the 1960s, and its revival in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston at the helm.
Fast forward two decades, and Ncuti Gatwa has taken up the mantle as the 15th Time Lord, ready to embark on his latest adventure this evening, Saturday, May 10.
In this episode, the Doctor finds himself in Lagos, where he encounters a “mysterious figure called the Barber” who holds sway over the Nigerian city.
The character of the Barber will be brought to life by actor Ariyon Bakare, a familiar face from several popular shows.
Bakare, 53, is perhaps most recognised for his role as Dr Ben Kwarme in the BBC medical drama Doctors, a part he played for four years before leaving the show in 2005.
Before his departure, his character Ben had assaulted a burglar, who subsequently pressed charges for grievous bodily harm.
Ben was ultimately acquitted, prompting him to leave Letherbridge and embark on travels with his son Nathan.
However, Doctors isn’t the only series that Doctor Who fans might recognise Bakare from.
Bakare has an impressive array of roles under his belt, including his turn as Adrian Scott in Family Affairs, taking the helm as Chief Superintendent Burridge in Thirteen, embodying Ligur alongside former Doctor Who lead David Tennant in Good Omens, and stepping into the fantastical world as Carlo Boreal in BBC’s His Dark Materials.
His diverse acting resume extends to Netflix’s Too Close, alongside on-screen appearances in Crossfire, Karen Pirie, Carnival Row, Black Ops, and sharing the screen with Fear the Walking Dead star Lennie James in BBC’s Mr Loverman.
A peep at his IMDb profile reveals Bakare’s next big project: the action-packed drama The Bleeding Ground. The tantalising preview states: “In the heart of the Niger Delta, a local man’s quest for justice collides with the ambitions of an oil executive, igniting a battle that threatens to consume them both.”
Doctor Who continues every Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
