Why Doctor Who Shouldn't Be Limited By Race Or Sexuality Detailed By Gatwa & Showrunner

Summary Doctor Who embraces inclusivity with its diverse casting choices, showcasing the evolving and regenerating nature of the series.

Gatwa and Davies highlight the importance of representation in the show, emphasizing that diversity is essential for moving forward in the industry.

The new era of Doctor Who is marked by inclusivity and acceptance, breaking traditional barriers to create a more welcoming and diverse universe.

Ncuti Gatwa and Russell T. Davies explain why Doctor Who should not be limited by race or sexuality. Davies is the showrunner for the upcoming Doctor Who season 14, returning to the series after his original tenure in the role from 2005 to 2010. Season 14 will also mark Gatwa’s first full season playing the Fifteenth Doctor, who was introduced in the last Doctor Who 60th anniversary special. Doctor Who season 14 premieres on May 11.

Speaking with Rolling Stone, Davies and Gatwa explain how the Doctor Who casting should be inclusive. Davies pointed out that it is “about time” that shows like Doctor Who came around to have more inclusive casting. The showrunner also pointed out that young kids watching will not find this casting odd. Gatwa added that this is the heart of Doctor Who, saying that the series “evolves and regenerates.” In this next generation, Gatwa is “very honored that [he] get[s] to be the first of a couple of things.” Check out the full quotes from Davies and Gatwa below:

Davies: If you’re a six-year-old boy sitting there in Brixton, it’s like, ‘That’s the Doctor.’ They don’t think through all this stuff. They don’t read headlines. If they go online, they’re finding the spiciest chicken wing on YouTube. They’re not bothered by this. It’s about time. Sometimes, big old terrestrial and streaming shows can be slow machines to catch up with the world. And I’m getting older now, so you become one of those gatekeepers of television, for want of a better word, and your job is then is to hold the gate open: ‘Come on, everyone!’ Gatwa: That’s what the show does. It evolves and it regenerates. I feel like it’s about time, and I am here. For all you damners out there, I’m not going anywhere. Davies: I don’t walk around thinking all day about being queer, and, What’s my queer energy today? You’re talking to people who live a queer life. So this is completely normal. And where I’m slightly amazed is that anyone finds this different. Come on straight people, come and find out! Gatwa: I am reluctant to apply any human label to the Doctor, because they’re an alien. They’ve been with all sorts. That is label-less and limitless, and I think it represents our ability to be limitless and our ability to be anything. And that character can be anyone and played by anyone. I feel very, very honored that I get to be the first of a couple of things. Because I think if you’re a true fan of the show, you understand that. You understand that [Doctor Who] lends itself to inclusivity and to diversity and welcoming different people in. That’s what Russell has done. I’m very happy to be a part of that vision.

Doctor Who Is In Its Most Inclusive Era

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Both Gatwa and Davies make fantastic and inspiring points when it comes to Doctor Who’s casting. While it is important to drive forward a message of inclusive casting, seeing a Time Lord of a certain race will likely not even register for children watching for the first time. It is only those who have been used to the Doctor Who legacy who see a woman Doctor or a Black person as the Doctor as anything out of the ordinary. It is important to keep pushing these casting boundaries, and for those of the youngest generation, this diverse casting is normal.

In their quotes, Davies and Gatwa are largely focused on Gatwa’s casting as the Doctor. Gatwa is the first Black actor to play the Time Lord, and he also identifies as queer, making him the first openly queer actor to play the role as well. However, Gatwa is also not the only notable inclusive casting decision that Doctor Who has made as of late. In the anniversary specials, the series included Yasmin Finney, a trans actress, playing a non-binary transfemme character named Rose.

In the special, Rose’s queer story factored heavily into her Doctor Who arc. This storyline showed that Doctor Who is not only pushing for more diverse casting, but embracing the new stories offered by more diverse casting. Hopefully, Doctor Who season 14 will continue this trend of positive representation as the series regenerates into an open and inclusive new era.

Source: Rolling Stone