Doctor Who’s Jo Martin: ‘I’m jealous of the generation growing up with a Black Doctor’

Doctor Who’s Jo Martin: ‘I’m jealous of the generation growing up with a Black Doctor’

As a fervent admirer of the boundless power and charm that television can wield, I am utterly captivated by Jo Martin and her extraordinary journey with Doctor Who. Her portrayal of Ruth Clatyon, the Fugitive Doctor, has not only etched her name in the annals of this iconic series but also shattered barriers, paving a path for future generations to embrace their dreams without limitations.


In 2020, Jo Martin became the first African American actress to take on the role of the Doctor when she played Ruth Clayton, a previously unseen version of the character, also known as the Runaway Doctor.

Ever since then, Ncuti Gatwa has stepped into the role of Time Lord permanently, symbolizing representation for individuals from various backgrounds and beliefs, proving that anyone can shine in front of the camera.

She stated, “Colin Baker is the Doctor I’ve been following since then.” She would transform all her mom’s aluminum foil into Dalek costumes for her cousins and play the Doctor. They’d argue, “But you can’t be the Doctor, the Doctor isn’t a girl or Black.

When this opportunity arose, it turned out that I would discover my true role – as at the initial audition, nobody informed me about the specific part I was trying out for.

Given the chance, I believe I might have faltered during the audition due to excessive nerves. It could have left me feeling overwhelmed, saying something along the lines of, ‘Wow, this is too much, far too grand.’

Doctor Who’s Jo Martin: ‘I’m jealous of the generation growing up with a Black Doctor’

She continued: “The amount of messages I’ve had from people from around the world, from Brazil to Australia to America to this country, people of colour who have reached out, females of colour, who have just said, ‘Thank you.’

Additionally, I’ve cried over it quite a bit, yet those were joyful tears mixed with envy since I yearn to have experienced this during my youth as well.

Reflecting on our shared past, it’s clear that every chapter has its course, and change may seem gradual, yet unrelentingly present. Our recent turbulent days, with chaos erupting on the streets of this nation, have served as a stark reminder – skin color should no longer be a barrier. It’s eye-opening to confront such an enduring issue in this day and age.

Well, isn’t it great to see our first African-American doctor on screen! Kudos to the BBC and everyone involved in the production for making such a progressive decision.

Many others, including the show’s initial director, Waris Hussein, have applauded the BBC for their choice in selecting Ncuti. In fact, he referred to it as a triumph.

Last year, during the 60th anniversary of the show, Hussein shared with TopMob magazine: “Indeed, I was. As a British Asian, I was pioneering in my field. However, what used to concern me privately was working on set and being watched by everyone.

As a cinephile, I’d silently ponder, “They seem to be holding their breath, hoping for me to stumble. Yet, I won’t stumble.

Martin continued on the topic of Jodie Whittaker’s portrayal as The Doctor: “Truth be told, it seems unusual for a middle-aged woman to take on this role. In our society, women over 35, those who aren’t a typical size 8, and Black women often find themselves marginalized, becoming practically unseen.

“So I tick all of those boxes, and guess what? I’m visible, and I’m very proud to fly that flag.”

Martin will be back in the complex timeline of Doctor Who, as he embarks on his first project with Big Finish in the upcoming audio drama titled “Once and Future: Coda – The Final Act”.

The audio drama marks the concluding part of Big Finish’s grand 60th-anniversary series, pitting the Fugitive Doctor against the War Doctor, portrayed by Jonathon Carley.

You can now reserve a copy of “The Worlds of Doctor Who – The Fugitive Doctor: Most Wanted,” available in two versions. The collector’s edition CD box set with download costs £22.99, while the digital-only version is priced at £18.99. This exclusive offering can only be found on Big Finish’s website, where you’ll find a selection of full cast audio dramas.

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2024-10-25 23:34