Warning: This story contains spoilers for theDoctor Whoepisode The Devils Chord.
Monsoon stars in the second episode ofNcuti Gatwasfirst full season, which premiered May 10 on Disney+.
(Mild spoilers for the episode ahead.)
Jinkx Monsoon as Maestro in ‘Doctor Who’.Disney+
Disney+
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Were you a fan ofDoctor Whobefore joining the show?
Im really excited because I know that the new series is going to be very welcoming to new viewers.
How did you want to approach Maestros style?
Jinkx Monsoon as Maestro in ‘Doctor Who’.Disney+
So, that was all the designers.
They are all incredible: the whole hair and makeup team, the costume team.
These are full departments of people working on these things.
There was so much thought put into the makeup and the hair.
They worked with some of my people.
Its almost like, This is just Jinkxs hair!
This is the hair that grows out of my head now!
Every makeup look, there was so much thought put into it and long conversations.
But mostly, it was just me giving affirmation and little suggestions here and there.
The designers came with incredible stuff, and I just said, Yes!
Were there any influences you were thinking about or roles that inspired your performance?
[Laughs] But really, for any character I create, usually theres a female performer in mind.
Theres a heightened element, especially to the more powerful villains.
Shes incredible at playing these sinister characters who are so nuanced and so complex.
You see whats going on inside the character, even though theres this veneer of unfazed evil.
So yeah, Michelle Gomez, big shoutout to her.
What do you remember most about filming that sequence?
Well, I love it because its likeLooney Tunesall of a sudden.
Its like a Bugs Bunny cartoon or Merry Melodies.
So, I was actually playing the bass.
I was like, What if I did this!
They were like, Were keeping it!
So, we did take after take of me just doing chaine turns while pretending to play violin rapidly.
It was exhausting, but it was incredible.
Its part of the character now!
You also get to show off a phenomenal villain laugh.
Whats the secret to a really great villainous cackle?
I love flexing the fact that now I get to say Im a Disney villain.
[Laughs] But my evil laugh comes from all my favorites.
But the secret is that it has to come from truth, right?
Its also about going loose with it.
Its about not holding back.
Russell is such an amazing writer.
And I dont believe we will be pushed back.
I believe the kind of representation were seeing in mainstream media means that its too late.
Sorry, conservatives: Your numbers are shrinking.
So, this is really exciting.
And if any feathers are ruffled by it, first of all, Russell is queer.
So your beloved program hasalwaysbeen influenced by a queer creator.
So honestly, dont let the door hit you on the way out!
New episodes ofDoctor Whohit Disney+ on Fridays.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
