The Fifteenth Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, has commented on those who have turned away from Doctor Who over both his casting and the strive for more inclusivity, describing it as “sad.” During a recent NPR interview, Gatwa, who was born in Rwanda but moved to Scotland during his early childhood, finds it perplexing that former fans of the show are so willing to “limit” themselves over someone’s appearance.

"I find it fascinating that it matters so much to these people. You are going to limit yourselves from a show that you claim to love because you don't like something about someone's appearance or their race. It's just really sad for them.”

First airing way, way back in 1963, the titular Doctor has been played by 13 other actors (well, technically 19, including alternative versions) before Gatwa took over. The main iterations have all been white male actors born in the United Kingdom, with the exception of Jodie Whittaker’s 13th Doctor, whose casting was also met with criticism from the same section of fans now taking aim at Gatwa.

For Gatwa, such reactions make little sense, particularly when considering who the Doctor is and what the character represents.

"The character is a shape-shifting alien. It can be anyone. So for it to be - for there to have only been one representation of the character, I think it's just quite limiting."

Ncuti Gatwa Says Being the Doctor 'Feels Like a Huge, Lovely Responsibility'

Doctor Who

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Sci-Fi

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Originally premiered in 1963, Doctor Who is a sci-fi series that follows a powerful being known as a Time Lord, referred to as the Doctor. Using an interdimensional time-traveling ship known as the TARDIS, the Doctor travels time and space with various companions as they solve multiple problems and help avert catastrophe as much as they almost cause it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they experience regenerations, allowing them to be recast every few seasons as a unique immortal being with new personality traits.

Release Date

March 26, 2005

Cast

Jemma Redgrave , Ncuti Gatwa , Jodie Whittaker , David Tennant , Karen Gillan , Catherine Tate , Christopher Eccleston , Matt Smith , Peter Capaldi , Millie Gibson

Main Genre

Action

Seasons

14

Website

http://www.bbcamerica.com/doctor-who/

Writers

Mark Gatiss , Toby Whithouse , Neil Cross , Steven Moffat , Chris Chibnall

Network

BBC

Streaming Service(s)

Disney+

Showrunner

Russell T. Davies , Steven Moffat , Chris Chibnall

Russell T. Davies returns to the helm of the latest Doctor Who outings, and has stressed that inclusivity will play a large part in the series going forward. And, for Davies, this should not come as too much of a surprise...

"They weren’t exactly the straightest men in the past. You’re talking about someone who does have a lightness and a joy about him that, to me, chimes with queer energy. It's very rarely driving the story vehemently, but you will see moments exploring it. We’re not delivering a neutered Doctor."

Related

'A Doctor Who for 2024' Had to Be More Emotional, Says Russell T. Davies

The showrunner of Doctor Who explained that the new era needs a more emotional and empathetic version of the Doctor.

For Gatwa, the BBC and Doctor Who further embracing diversity is welcome, with the actor aware of the responsibility that comes with the role.

"It's tricky because you want to celebrate the win [for inclusion], and you do celebrate the win because this signifies progress. But let's not stop here. There's lots more to go. And this should have happened a little while ago, as well.

But it warms my heart to know that little Black kids out there will be like, 'Oh, I can be The Doctor.’ It feels like a huge, lovely responsibility."