‘Doctor Who’ Star Jinkx Monsoon Unpacks Maestro, the Series’ Wackiest, Most Musical Villain Yet
10.05.2024 - 23:47
/ variety.com
Doctor Who’s” Ncuti Gatwa just faced off against the franchise’s wackiest, most over-the-top villain yet. And that was before they started singing.
Enter “RuPaul’s Drag Race” superstar Jinkx Monsoon as Maestro. Those familiar with Monsoon’s game wouldn’t expect anything else from her: the beloved two-time “Drag Race” winner is currently taking Broadway by storm, wowing audiences as Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” opposite Corbin Bleu.
This summer, she will return to “Chicago,” reprising her role as Mama Morton after she became the cast’s first drag performer in 2023. And she’s not done dreaming big — Monsoon’s still got her sights set on becoming a Disney Villain one day. “I’m available! People know how to get in contact with me.
I got a great laugh, and I can sing. I was raised by Ursula the sea witch,” she says.
While Ursula may be her “mother,” Monsoon tells Variety it was another, much happier Disney character that inspired her zany “Doctor Who” villain. Ahead of the episode’s premiere, she sat down with Variety to unpack Maestro’s fearsome, fabulous arc.
Maestro is larger-than-life. What was your first reaction to reading about them in the script?
It’s one of those once-in-a-show kind of characters.
Maestro feels, to me, in the same realm as the Genie in “Aladdin,” and just exists entirely on their plane, entirely antagonistic. They can reference anything they want. They can break the fourth wall.
To be trusted with such a character, I still don’t know what I did. I don’t remember selling my soul to the Devil, but it sure feels like it. Was the Devil’s chord playing when you accepted this role? No, thank God.
It was all very gentle and friendly. It was a polite chat amongst friends. Showrunner
Russell T.