‘If He’s Gay, Let’s See It’ Doctor Who Director On Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor

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Summary

  • Ncuti Gatwa’s return to Doctor Who Season 15 sparks discussion about exploring the Fifteenth Doctor’s queerness.
  • Director Waris Hussein wonders if Gatwa feels pressure being the first Black lead and if the Doctor’s queerness should be evident.
  • Hussein said “queerness matters” as it shapes one’s personality, so if the Doctor is gay, it should be shown without losing the mystery.

One of the directors of “Doctor Who” expressed their thoughts regarding Ncuti Gatwa’s casting as The Doctor. They are eager to see the character’s LGBTQ+ identity delved into more deeply within the series.

In a little over a month, Ncuti Gatwa will make his comeback as the Fifteenth Doctor in “Doctor Who” Season 15, reprising his role from earlier seasons. Recently, one of the show’s producers, who has been associated with the longest-running British science fiction series, discussed Gatwa’s casting. They pondered about whether the actor experienced any pressure as the first Black lead and if they would explore the character’s queerness through his sexuality. Notably, Gatwa is the first openly queer celebrity to take on the leading role in this series.

As a passionate fan of “Doctor Who,” I was thrilled to learn about Director Waris Hussein’s interview in the latest magazine issue. He expressed curiosity about Ncuti Gatwa, the new Doctor, particularly wondering if the weight of being the first Black actor to lead the show might be more significant for him. Hussein also pondered over showrunner Russell T Davies’ thoughts regarding the character Gatwa portrays, as he wasn’t sure about the Fifteenth Doctor’s sexuality. He wondered, “What’s Russell T’s plan for the character? What secrets does he have in store? If Russell T has made the Doctor queer, wouldn’t it be intriguing to see subtle hints of this in the encounters the Doctor has with other characters?” Hussein suggested that it would be exciting if the show delved deeper into the Fifteenth Doctor’s sexuality, especially if he is gay, and that these aspects should be subtly incorporated into the series.

It’s significant not to brush off the importance of queerness by saying ‘it doesn’t matter.’ In fact, queerness plays a vital role in one’s identity and development. Growing up with this perspective, I find it impossible to disregard its impact on characters like The Doctor. If The Doctor is gay, let’s explore that aspect, but let’s not compromise the enigma that surrounds him.

It matters that queerness exists and influences people. For me, being aware of this has always been important, so it should be reflected in The Doctor’s character. However, we shouldn’t forget the intrigue surrounding The Doctor. If he’s gay, let’s show it, but don’t take away from the mystery.

Over the past few weeks, there’s been talk that Gatwa might be departing from the series. Some even suggested that the show could end after two seasons on Disney Plus because of low ratings. But BBC calmed fans by debunking these cancellation rumors, stating that the earlier reports were inaccurate. They confirmed that “Doctor Who” is not being discontinued. The network also shared that their agreement with Disney Plus includes 26 episodes, and “half of those still need to air.” However, they added that they don’t typically discuss the Doctor and future storylines.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder over the future seasons of “Doctor Who” beyond Season 15. A thought-provoking point raised by Hussein is indeed intriguing – delving into the Fifteenth Doctor’s sexuality and making it clear to viewers. It’s essential to remember that just because Mandip Gill, who plays Yaz, identifies as queer doesn’t automatically mean that the Doctor must share the same orientation. If the Doctor does turn out to be queer, it wouldn’t be a groundbreaking revelation considering his character’s inherent fluidity and evolution over time. In fact, the Doctor has always been about change and growth, so embracing queerness could just be another step in this ongoing journey.

Previous versions of the Doctor have often been depicted as straight or ambiguous, but representing him as gay or queer might add an engaging layer to his constantly evolving persona. Fans of “Doctor Who” have already encountered hints of this with Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor, who has romantic inclinations towards Yaz (Mandip Galli). However, their relationship was left unspoken, with the Doctor choosing to retreat instead of pursuing it. Still, it demonstrated that such themes have been subtly incorporated into the franchise. The writers could further explore this in Gatwa’s “Doctor Who” season by openly acknowledging this aspect of the character.

Doctor Who Season 15 will premiere on April 12, 2025.

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2025-03-03 16:54