Summary
- Ncuti Gatwa responds to backlash of his Doctor Who casting, emphasizing the need for inclusive change in positions of power.
- Gatwa as the first Black Doctor is part of Doctor Who's active efforts to disrupt norms with casting choices.
- Despite facing hate online, Gatwa stands up for inclusive casting in Doctor Who and addresses backlash irably.
In a conversation with casting in Doctor Who. Gatwa did not seem incredibly bothered by the casting, saying “it is kind of fascinating to me because there’s so much energy they’re putting into it.” He then spoke on the importance of inclusive casting, emphasizing a changeover in “positions of power and in the status quo.” This change, Gatwa said, sees “people kind of malfunctioning because things are changing.” Check out the full quote from Gatwa below:
It’s not something I’ll avidly keep up on. The hate? It is kind of fascinating to me because there’s so much energy they’re putting into it… I think they need to go find a hobby is one thing.
But another thing is that we do see a shift happening in casting, in positions of power and in the status quo. I mean, not a fast shift, things could tip over the other way a little bit quicker, but you see people kind of malfunctioning because things are changing.
Doctor Who Is Making Multiple Active Efforts To Change Their Casting Norms
Gatwa’s casting in Doctor Who marks the first time that there will be a Black actor playing the Time Lord. Beyond this landmark casting, there is plenty to be excited about surrounding Gatwa’s role as the Fifteenth Doctor. His claim-to-fame role as Eric Effiong in the Netflix series Sex Education showed the actor’s undeniable charisma and propensity for wit, which will serve him well in the role. Unfortunately, with every bold casting move tends to come some people who will spread nasty hatred, which happened in Gatwa’s case.
Casting Gatwa as the first Black Doctor is far from the only way that the BBC series is making an active effort to disrupt norms with their casting. Prior to Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor role, Jodie Whittaker took on the role of the Thirteenth Doctor, marking the first time a woman played the part. Furthermore, Millie Gibson’s debut as companion Ruby Sunday made her the youngest person to play the part.
Doctor Who Theory: Ncuti Gatwa's Next Companion Actor Is Secretly Playing A Returning Character
With Millie Gibson's Doctor Who exit already confirmed, her replacement is set to come in and travel with Gatwa's Doctor, but there could be a twist.
Doctor Who also cast transgender actor Yasmin Finney as Donna Noble’s daughter Rose in the anniversary specials. Rose’s gender identity plays a prominent role in her character arc, showing Doctor Who’s commitment to making inclusive characters. Unfortunately, some of these efforts are being met with backlash, but it is nonetheless irable that Doctor Who is making these efforts. Luckily, the team also has actors like Gatwa who are willing to stand up for and speak out in favor of these changes in the casting status quo, even when they face hate online.
Doctor Who season 14 will be available to stream on Disney+ on May 11.
Source: Attitude
Doctor Who
- Release Date
- December 25, 2023
- Network
- BBC
- Directors
- Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Richard Martin, Peter Moffatt, Pennant Roberts, Lennie Mayne, Chris Clough, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Gerald Blake, Graeme Harper, Waris Hussein, Rodney Bennett, Mervyn Pinfield, Hugh David, John Gorrie
Cast
The Doctor
Millie GibsonRuby Sunday
WHERE TO WATCH
The latest Doctor Who series introduces the Fifteenth Doctor, ed by new companion Ruby Sunday.
- Writers
- Russell T. Davies, Dave Gibbons, Kate Herron, Steven Moffat
- Seasons
- 2
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