Doctor Who Star On Receiving ‘Woke’ Comments From Critics

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Summary

  • Varada Sethu of Doctor Who Season 15 embraces “woke” comments as a sign that the show is doing the right thing.
  • Matt Smith, who played the Eleventh Doctor, disagrees with critics of Doctor Who, saying the hate is misplaced.
  • Director Waris Hussein suggests recognizing inclusivity in Doctor Who without losing the show’s core identity.

A cast member from Season 15 of ‘Doctor Who’ recently disclosed fresh insights regarding the forthcoming season. They divulged that the latest installment includes references to contemporary social awareness remarks.

The British television series Doctor Who, known for its long-standing presence in science fiction, has been running for six decades and has faced various criticisms throughout this period. One instance was when Jodie Whittaker, the first female Doctor Who as the Thirteenth Doctor, was cast, which some fans found unnecessary or politically driven. Critics also pointed out overt political messages in certain episodes, like “Arachnids in the UK,” perceived as an anti-Trump allegory by some viewers. Additionally, the show’s casting of people of color in key roles and representation of LGBTQ+ characters such as Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) has drawn criticism from some fans. One of the actors addressed these criticisms directly.

Varada Sethu is among the fresh cast members gracing the screens in ‘Doctor Who’ Season 15. Her character, Belinda Chandra, is a new travel companion to Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. A nurse by profession, Belinda evolves into a crucial figure in the Doctor’s time-space escapades. In a chat with Radio Times, she discussed the series and confirmed its nods towards contemporary social awareness. She viewed these criticisms as evidence that ‘Doctor Who’ is “on the right path.” In her interview with Radio Times, she expressed:

Although there have been several references to Doctor Woke, I still believe our actions are correct when we receive comments like those.

Sethu considers being called “woke” a compliment because, to her, it signifies inclusivity, progressiveness, and caring about others. She believes these qualities are central to Doctor Who’s essence, which revolves around kindness, love, and doing what is right. Sethu and Gatwa’s partnership marks the first time people of color have worked together in the Whoniverse. According to her, Gatwa mentioned their duo would upset many people, but she finds it amusing rather than concerning. The positive reception she received from fans upon joining the show has only served to encourage her further.

Over the years, the popularity of Doctor Who has decreased somewhat, with whispers of its potential cancellation circulating recently. Many fans have voiced their displeasure with the show, a sentiment that’s not lost on the cast, including Matt Smith, who portrayed the Eleventh Doctor. Despite the criticisms, Smith didn’t share the same viewpoints and found the negative reception perplexing. He believed that those who criticized Doctor Who were placing it in a context it wasn’t intended for. For Smith, being part of this franchise was a joy due to its unique premise about an “awesome” alien that traverses through space and time. To him, every aspect of it is endearing.

The show “Doctor Who” should address the contemporary criticism while maintaining its distinctive character. As Sethu points out, they shouldn’t let such feedback disrupt them if it aligns with the series’ principles. Moreover, the term “woke” could symbolize inclusivity and advancement in this context. It’s worth noting that the show hasn’t yet fully embraced these concepts. Director Waris Hussein, who worked on the first episode of Season 1, “An Unearthly Child,” has expressed curiosity about whether the current Doctor is LGBTQ+. Gatwa, who plays a role in the series, has openly identified as queer. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the Fifteenth Doctor shares these sexual orientations. Hussein suggests that if the Doctor is gay, it should be portrayed openly, but without compromising the enigma surrounding the character.

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

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2025-04-02 18:44