Doctor Who has always been a show that breaks boundaries, but one of the producers shared that she doesn’t think some casting choices were truly innovative. In July 2017, Jodie Whittaker was announced as the Thirteenth Doctor, becoming the first woman to play the iconic role. Her casting sparked controversy, as some fans were upset about the Doctor changing genders.
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In May 2022, it was announced that Ncuti Gatwa would play the Fifteenth Doctor, making him the first person of color and openly queer actor in the role. Some people criticized the choice, calling it a move to appear “woke.” Whittaker played the Doctor from 2018 to 2022, while Gatwa appeared from 2023 to 2025.
Producer Jane Tranter, who has also worked on major shows like Succession, Rome, and The Night Of, spoke exclusively with InTouch. During the interview, Tranter shared her admiration for Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies.
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She also said she doesn’t believe casting Whittaker or Gatwa should be seen as groundbreaking because a Doctor who isn’t male or white shouldn’t feel unusual to anyone. Check out Tranter’s comments below:
I like the fact Doctor Who can touch on sensitive issues and do it in an entertaining and engaging way, but that’s how Russell T Davies writes. I also don’t see the casting of Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor or casting Ncuti Gatwa as the first Black Doctor as some bold step in the culture wars. It’s simply as it should be. It’s normal.
In the finale of Doctor Who season 15 on Disney+, the Doctor regenerates into a body that looks like Rose (Billie Piper), a former companion. This means Piper will play the sixteenth Doctor in upcoming seasons. This suggests that Whittaker and Gatwa’s casting opened the door for more diversity, as Piper will be the second woman to play the beloved character. However, based on Tranter’s comments, viewers shouldn’t be surprised to see people of all genders and races playing the Doctor.
Doctor Who is one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever made, partly because of the actors who have played the Doctor. The idea of people being upset about diverse casting is troubling because diversity in media is important so all audiences feel represented. Tranter’s point that this kind of casting should be normal also makes sense.
It shouldn’t feel special to see diversity in media because it should already be expected. But since the world still has a long way to go in how people view others, it’s important that casting in Doctor Who and other media stays diverse.
Source: Screenrant