BBC Addresses Controversy over Doctor Who's Gay Kiss: Giggles, Laughter, and More
Hang on, mate! The BBC's sci-fi classic Doctor Who has once again found itself in the thick of controversy. The fresh buzz surrounds the steamy kiss shared between the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, and Rogue, a rakish bounty-hunter portrayed by Jonathan Groff, in the popular episode "Rogue."
You've got it right—the two disgruntled viewers couldn't help but complain, claiming that the episode contained "unsuitable for children" content and "inappropriate sexual innuendo." So, what was all the fuss about? Well, some folks found the pace of the Doctor and Rogue's connection "concerning." Funny thing, though—the episode only ran for approximately 45 minutes, so there wasn't much room for your typical time-consuming romance, was there?
Now, let's talk about the BBC's Executive Complaints Unit (ECU). Did they care about those complaints? Not a bit! The ECU took a good, hard look at the content in question and plainly dismissed the complaints. But why? They stated that any sexual innuendo in the episode was of the mildest variety and would likely fly over the heads of young viewers. The fast-paced plot was deemed necessary for the development of the relationship, and it was unlikely to set a harmful example within the confines of the fictional context.
In case you're curious, the same-sex kiss in "Rogue" wasn't the first of its kind on Doctor Who. That prize goes to the 2005 episode where Jack Harkness locked lips with the Ninth Doctor. However, as James Whitbrook of io9 pointed out, “Rogue” marked a significant shift, as it featured a genuine emotional connection between the Doctor and Rogue, a regrettable deficiency in the chemistry-laden relationship between the Thirteenth Doctor and companion Yaz during Jodie Whittaker's time on the series.
Keep your eyes peeled for the return of Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor this Christmas in the festive special "Joy to the World," which will feature another familiar face from the Netflix period romance series, Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan. As for Rogue, we're going to have to wait and see if he'll ever reappear on the show, but hopefully, he and the Doctor can resolve those unfinished mysteries they have between them.
You can catch up with Doctor Who's wild space adventures right here in the United States on Disney+. Looking for more Who wrestling with the mysteries of the universe? Be sure to check out Io9's updates on the latest happenings in the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, not to mention the ever-evolving DC Universe on film and television, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
[1] Complaint dismissal by BBC Executive Complaints Unit (ECU), June 2023. [3] BBC public statement, January 2023.
- The BBC's Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) dismissed complaints about the kiss between the Doctor and Rogue in "Rogue" episode of Doctor Who, stating that any sexual innuendo was mild and unlikely to be understood by young viewers.
- The kiss between Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor and Jonathan Groff's Rogue in the Doctor Who episode "Rogue" marked a significant shift, featuring a genuine emotional connection that was less evident in Jodie Whittaker's time on the series.
- Catch up with Doctor Who's wild space adventures right here in the United States on Disney+, as well as updates on the latest happenings in the Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and DC universes on Io9.
- Keep an eye out for Ncuti Gatwa's return as the Fifteenth Doctor in the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special "Joy to the World," which will also feature Nicola Coughlan from the Netflix period romance series, Bridgerton.
