What is Beep the Meep in Doctor Who and who voices it?
It's the Meep's time to shine.
It's been more than a year but Doctor Who is finally back with its 60th anniversary specials – and what would the show be without our alien of the week?
This time, we get to meet the Meep, who makes its debut in The Star Beast, the very first of the 60th anniversary specials.
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While it's never appeared on screen before, the Meep has a long history with Doctor Who and, to make it even more special, it's voiced by an absolutely iconic actress.
So, before it runs into David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor and the returning Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), here's everything you need to know about the Meep and the actress joining the cast.
What is Beep the Meep in Doctor Who?
Beep the Meep, or simply the Meep, is an alien that first appeared in a 1980 comic strip from Doctor Who Weekly (now Doctor Who Magazine), written by Pat Mills and John Wagner and drawn by Dave Gibbons.
The Meep's journey starts when it reveals it's being pursued across the universe but fans of the comic strip will know there's a little more to it than meets the eye.
The Star Beast revealed that the Meep was, despite its adorable appearance, a "cruel beast" who "lived for conquest" – the leader and "most cruel and despicable" of all Meepkind. A reminder to never judge a book by its cover, or a Meep by its charming exterior...
Who voices Beep the Meep?
The Meep is voiced by none other than Miriam Margolyes. The Harry Potter actress makes her Doctor Who debut voicing the alien and has previously opened up about giving the creature its character.
Margolyes told Doctor Who Magazine: "With the Meep, you do feel that you're creating something. Because this was a character that only existed in a drawing and it's up to me to flesh it out and give it something that will be memorable and helpful for the episode."
She added: "When a character is well written, the voice is consistent throughout and it’s not difficult. And this is a very well-drawn character."
Elsewhere, Margolyes is known for roles including Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies, as well as roles in films like The Age of Innocence, Little Shop of Horrors, Romeo and Juliet, and Being Julia.
On TV, she's also known for roles in Blackadder, Vanity Fair, and Call the Midwife.
Doctor Who's first 60th anniversary special The Star Beast airs at 6:30pm on Saturday 25th November on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Classic episodes are available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here.
Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
