As a huge Doctor Who fan, I was so thrilled to hear Russell T Davies talk about the show’s commitment to LGBTQ+ representation. He actually said he considers Doctor Who a ‘gay show,’ and honestly, that makes so much sense to me! It’s amazing to see that kind of visibility and acceptance woven into the fabric of a show I love. It feels really inclusive and representative of the world we live in, and I’m incredibly proud of where Doctor Who is going.
Russell T Davies, the writer behind popular shows like Queer as Folk, Years and Years, and It’s a Sin, recently discussed his acclaimed work at a Series Mania masterclass. He’s also set to release a new Channel 4 drama, Tip Toe, later this year.
He said: “In many ways, I kind of think of Doctor Who as a gay show.”
The showrunner explained that while the Doctor isn’t asexual by definition, he’s an outsider who lives life on his own terms and doesn’t quite fit into conventional society. This extends to his distance from romantic relationships, sexual connections, politics, and any established power structures.
I was really struck by what Davies said about Doctor Who fans. He pointed out something so true – it’s easy to get caught up in the negativity you see online and think that’s what all fans are like. But the people loudly complaining online aren’t representative of the wider fanbase at all, and it’s important to remember that.
He emphasized his belief that the two things were distinct, stating, “I’m certain they are not the same.”
Doctor Who has a history of including LGBTQ+ themes and characters, even going back to its early years. A notable example is the 1988 episode, ‘The Happiness Patrol,’ which featured prominent queer representation.
The recent seasons of Doctor Who have featured more visible LGBTQ+ representation. A notable example is the romantic connection between the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, and Jonathan Groff’s character, Rogue, in season 14.
Russell T Davies recently discussed LGBTQ+ representation in Doctor Who with TopMob. He explained that he doesn’t consciously aim for representation, stating, “It’s just my life coming through.”
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He admitted he’s puzzled when people talk about him ‘representing’ things, explaining that he simply portrays the people he lives with, knows, and cares about.
I just do things the way I know how, and that feels natural to me. Sometimes people complain, but by the time that happens, I’ve already moved past it and it doesn’t bother me anymore.
Davies also expressed his delight, saying, “It’s wonderful to see Doctor Who being so inclusive. The show really has something for everyone – even people who don’t typically see themselves represented – so I encourage everyone to watch!”
I was so moved by Sadie Miller’s recent interview with TopMob, where she beautifully remembered her mother, Elisabeth Sladen. She also shared some really insightful thoughts on how Doctor Who has resonated with LGBTQ+ fans throughout the years, and it got me thinking too!
She explained that Doctor Who, at its heart, is about creating your own family, and that this theme resonates strongly with many in the LGBTQ+ community, who often have to actively build their own support systems.
“There is no Doctor Who without the queer community.”
Doctor Who is coming back this Christmas and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer. You can also explore our complete guide to the show, featuring reviews of every episode since its beginning in 1963, details on the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes information, and exclusive content from the TopMob archive.
Love Doctor Who? Join TopMob’s Doctor Who Insiders club to get exclusive monthly interviews with stars from the show!
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Authors
Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.
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2026-03-26 14:36