Doctor Who Producer Says Ncuti Gatwa’s Casting Wasn’t ‘Woke’

by

Jane Tranter, the producer of the iconic and long-running British sci-fi series Doctor Who, has spoken about the selection of Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker as the 15th and 13th Doctors respectively. While these two stars’ tenures on the show have come to an end, their castings initially sparked a range of reactions among fans. Known for its timeless appeal and impressive run on television, Doctor Who is regarded as one of the most enduring series in the genre.

Jane Tranter explains Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa’s controversial casting in Doctor Who

Jane Tranter, recognized for her role in producing Doctor Who, recently had a chat with InTouch Magazine where she expressed her opinions regarding the castings of Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker.

Tranter, a collaborator with showrunner Russell T Davies, described the selection of the two actors as “ordinary” and emphasized, “I appreciate that Doctor Who can address sensitive matters in an enjoyable and captivating manner, but that’s just how Russell T Daves writes. I don’t view Jodie Whittaker’s casting as the first female Doctor or Ncuti Gatwa’s casting as the first Black Doctor as a significant move in cultural debates. It’s just natural, in my opinion.

From 2023 through 2025, Gatwa participated in the series. When discussing his departure from the show in July 2025, Gatwa disclosed that he was “feeling his age” and admitted that he was “tired in body.” On the other hand, Whittaker exited the show in 2022, as she expressed a desire to devote more time to her loved ones.

People always bring up the issue of diversity. There are online commentators accusing us of promoting diversity and ‘wokeness,’ as well as messages and issues. I simply do not have time for this. It is something that I cannot tolerate. What some might call diversity, I simply refer to as an open door.” (source: BBC News)

Read More

2025-08-20 15:47