"Ncuti Gatwa and Russell T. Davies discuss embracing Doctor Who's queer identity"
In a groundbreaking move, Ncuti Gatwa made his Doctor Who debut last year, shattering conventions for many reasons. One of the most exciting aspects? The 15th Doctor is the first openly queer male actor in the series, championing representation like never before.
Gatwa, in a recent conversation with Variety, candidly discussed his appointment as the latest Doctor. "To me, anyone that has a problem with someone who's not a straight white man playing this character, you're not truly a fan of the show. You haven't been watching!" Gatwa stated emphatically. After all, the Doctor is an alien, regenerating into various forms, so why limit who can embody this timeless character?
While Gatwa paves the way as the first openly queer star of the series, he's in good company. Russell T. Davies, the showrunner, has a history of weaving queer themes into the show, both subtly and explicitly. From the Doctor's unconventional romantic relationships to moments examining queer attraction that transcend human understandings of gender, Doctor Who has long been a trailblazer.
In the past, though the contemporary Doctors have typically been portrayed as straight, they have flirted with and occasionally explored their attraction to individuals of all genders. This trend of acknowledging queer identity continues with Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor. According to Davies, the new Doctor will have moments that delve into his queer energy, albeit not driving the story vehemently. "We're not delivering a neutered Doctor," Davies assures.
This commitment to queer representation is a testament to the show's dedication to reflecting the diverse world around it. In Davies' words, "It's very hard for anyone to stop me doing these things." The upcoming episodes, set to air on May 10 on Disney and the following day on BBC iPlayer in the UK, promise to continue Doctor Who's tradition of pushing boundaries and showing the universe in all its dynamic glory.
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- Ncuti Gatwa, the first openly queer male actor to play the Doctor in Doctor Who, asserted in an interview that anyone who objected to someone who isn't a straight white man in the role "hasn't been watching!"
- Russell T. Davies, the showrunner of Doctor Who, has a history of incorporating queer themes into the series, evident in the Doctor's unconventional relationships and the exploration of queer attraction.
- Davies revealed that Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor will have moments that delve into his queer energy, without the storyline being overly focused on it, assuring viewers, "We're not delivering a neutered Doctor."
- The upcoming episodes of Doctor Who, airing on May 10 on Disney and the following day on BBC iPlayer in the UK, are anticipated to continue the show's tradition of pushing boundaries and emphasizing its commitment to diversity and queer representation.
