Doctor Who was not created for straight white males.

I have always been a huge fan of the show, and I knew I would love Ncuti Gatwa's portrayal of The Doctor from the moment I saw him dancing in a vibrant outfit during the 2023 Christmas special. However, not everyone shared my excitement for a queer Black Doctor Who. There were some who took to social media to express their displeasure, claiming that the show had become too "woke." From creating hashtags like #RIPDoctorWho to accusing the show of being torn apart by "woke ideologues," the complaints were endless.

But in my opinion, the show has always been socially-progressive and inclusive. I've been watching since David Tennant's run as the 10th Doctor over 15 years ago, and I have always been drawn to the themes of found family and the thrilling adventures through space and time. The show has a devoted fanbase and has been entertaining viewers for over 60 years, following the adventures of an alien known as the Doctor and their human companions in the TARDIS.

Despite its versatility and natural fluidity, some people still find it hard to believe that a non-straight, non-white Doctor could exist in the show. This is not the first time the show has faced accusations of being "woke." Jodie Whittaker, Ncuti's predecessor, faced intense scrutiny as the first woman to take on the iconic role. She even expressed her shock at the amount of rage her casting caused.

Now, Ncuti has also been forced to justify his place in the series since news of his casting broke in May 2022. But in a recent interview, the Sex Education star brushed off the trolls, saying that their anger over something so inconsequential only shows how uninteresting they must be.

However, these bigoted individuals seem to have overlooked the show's rich history of diversity and inclusion. When Queer As Folk creator Russell T Davies brought back Doctor Who in 2005, it was clear from the start that this was a show for all the outcasts in society. The show has always addressed class issues, with characters like Rose Tyler and her mom Jackie who lived in a London council estate. And there has always been a left-wing sentiment woven throughout the series.

In recent years, we've seen more representation on and off-screen. Screenwriters like Vinay Patel and Malorie Blackman have written historic episodes about partition and the civil rights movement, while Segun Akinola served as the show's composer from 2018 to 2022. On-screen, we've seen a South Asian Master played by Sacha Dhawan and Jo Martin brilliantly portraying the Fugitive Doctor.

There have also been explicitly queer companions, like Bill Potts who got her almost-fairytale lesbian ending, and a prominent storyline featuring trans actor Yasmin Finney. And during Jodie's final season, we saw a doomed romance between her and Yaz.

But there is still a long way to go in terms of diversity, both in front and behind the camera. The upcoming season only features one episode from female screenwriters and none from writers of color. It's also worth noting that there has yet to be a modern-era showrunner who isn't a white man.

However, with a major global deal with Disney+ and Ncuti's Doctor leading the way as an unapologetically queer character with a nod to his Rwandan heritage, the show is heading towards a bright future. As Ncuti himself said, Doctor Who matters to people of color and marginalized communities because it celebrates friendship, adventure, and unity. There is something in it for everyone, not just a select few.

So while the haters continue to shout into the void about the identity of a fictional alien, I will be tuning in every Saturday night to see the human race celebrated in all its diversity. And as Ncuti put it, if someone has a problem with that, they know where the door is. Doctor Who returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday May 11 at 6:20pm with a double bill opener of Space Babies and The Devil's Chord. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.email. Share your views in the comments below.

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