Alex Kingston, 62, says she signed up for Strictly Come Dancing to "do it for women of a certain age," becoming the oldest woman in this year's celebrity lineup.
The actor, best known for roles in ER and Doctor Who, told the Daily Mail she had to consider whether she would be "up for it physically," but that encouragement from friends and a desire to take on the challenge led her to join the BBC One series. "Come on, Alex, do it for women of a certain age," she said, describing the internal conversation that convinced her to sign up.
Kingston said she had long wanted to dance in the Strictly ballroom and was particularly inspired by fellow actor Sarah Hadland, 54, who reached the final last year with professional dancer Vito Coppola. "Years ago, we were in a play together and we both admitted to each other that secretly we really wanted to do Strictly," Kingston said. After Hadland's appearance, Kingston contacted her friend to ask what the experience was like; Hadland's candid account helped Kingston decide to follow in her footsteps.
Kingston said her immediate goal on the show is pragmatic: "to get through it without being injured." She has been taking part in group rehearsals and said those sessions have also allowed her to "watch like a hawk" and identify strong competitors. "We've actually got some really good dancers this year. We've got lots of tall men," she added.
Her professional dance partner is due to be revealed on Sunday, Sept. 20, the night the show returns to BBC One, with the first episode scheduled to air from 6:40 p.m. Kingston said she has been rehearsing a group number all week ahead of the launch.
Asked whether any of her televised characters might influence costume choices, Kingston joked she was unsure if she would be "dancing in scrubs. Maybe glittery scrubs — it could be a first!" She also described the show as "incredibly positive" while acknowledging that it can be "intense" and "overwhelming" at times, reflecting Hadland's warnings about the commitment involved.
The 2025 Strictly lineup includes a range of celebrities from sport, television and entertainment. Among those taking part are former Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, reality and TV personalities Vicky Pattison and Dani Dyer, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, model and disability ambassador Ellie Goldstein, TV presenter Ross King, actor Stefan Dennis and EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal. The diversity in age and background among contestants has been noted as a feature of this year's cast.
Kingston played River Song on Doctor Who opposite David Tennant and Matt Smith and portrayed Dr. Elizabeth Corday on the U.S. medical drama ER from 1997 to 2004. Her participation continues a recent trend of older celebrities joining the competition, prompting discussion about representation and opportunities for performers later in their careers.
Strictly Come Dancing's new series will unfold over several weeks on BBC One, with celebrity-professional pairings announced at the launch show. Kingston's public comments frame her appearance as both personal ambition and an emblematic choice she hopes will resonate with viewers of a similar age.