Doctor Who’s Mandip Gill reveals why she was “shocked” by reaction to her casting

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Mandip Gill, reflecting on the response to her role in Doctor Who, playfully points out, ‘Chris Chibnall didn’t invent people of colour!’

Since it began in 1963, the popular BBC series has always been known for pushing boundaries. However, it’s recently faced criticism and discussion about being “too politically correct” or “woke,” mainly because of its dedication to showing diverse characters and stories.

Gill experienced this firsthand when she first appeared in Doctor Who in 2018, playing Yasmin Khan. She joined Jodie Whittaker, who was the first woman to play the lead role of the Doctor, along with co-stars Tosin Cole as Ryan Sinclair and Bradley Walsh as Graham O’Brien.

When our show was released, we received a lot of criticism claiming it was overly focused on political correctness and that we only included people of color and older actors to meet diversity requirements,” Gill recalls, speaking to TopMob as she revisits her role in Doctor Who through new audio stories with Big Finish.

Being on Doctor Who was such a thrill that I didn’t pay much attention to any negativity. But I was surprised when people acted as if Chris Chibnall had invented people of color – we already exist! I was born and raised here, and I’ve worked as an actor for years without ever having to explain why I deserved to be on a show.

One of the best things about the show was how it addressed issues of race and background – there were episodes specifically focused on my character and Ryan’s – but without making it the central theme. It was great that those topics were explored, but not constantly brought to the surface.

I’m really proud to have contributed to the changes we’re seeing in television. Growing up, there were very few Asian faces on screen – shows like The Bill, Bend It Like Beckham, and Goodness Gracious Me were rare exceptions. As a British-born child of immigrant parents, I vividly remember the excitement of finally seeing people who looked like my family represented on TV.

I’m incredibly proud to have played a role in this, but it’s disappointing that we’re still treated like newcomers instead of being recognized as part of the television community. I believe TV should both teach and entertain, offering an escape that also reflects the world around us.

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Mandip Gill has reprised her role as Yaz, the police officer and companion from Doctor Who, for a series of audio dramas produced by Big Finish. These audio adventures allow her to explore the character in more depth than the television series did.

She noted that her character, Yaz, seems to have grown up a lot since we last saw her. She joked that this could be because she herself has matured while reprising the role, allowing her to portray Yaz with more stability. She also emphasized that she’s still discovering new facets of the character, and praised the writers for consistently building upon Yaz’s development instead of relying on past portrayals.

I’m really looking forward to hearing how her character develops in the audio dramas, especially since she was very young when she began. This TV show was her first experience with space adventures, and she’s been doing it for quite a while now. There’s a lot of potential to explore how at home she feels in space… She was hesitant at first, and it would be great to see her become more confident and less worried.

She emphasized that her friend will always prioritize her duty as a police officer, focusing on both self-preservation and doing what’s right.

Although Mandip Gill hasn’t been back as Yaz on television yet, Jodie Whittaker—who played the Doctor—did make an unexpected appearance in Ncuti Gatwa’s last episode as the Fifteenth Doctor.

Considering the pair are such close pals, we had to ask whether Gill knew about Whittaker’s return.

‘No comment!” she replied. “She is very good at keeping secrets.”

Gill said she was thrilled for her friend and excited to watch her succeed. She also pointed out that her friend is very good at keeping things confidential, noting that even her close family wasn’t aware when she first got the job.

With fans eager for details about this year’s Christmas special, many questions remain about the future of Doctor Who. Will Billie Piper, who recently made a surprising cameo in ‘The Reality War,’ become the Sixteenth Doctor, or will another actor take on the role?

Thinking about the future of the Doctor, Gill says we’ve seen versions who were playful, odd, and very serious. She’s not sure if the next Doctor needs to be completely different, or just a blend of all those qualities.

It’s strange – I’m never quite sure what I’m looking for in a new portrayal of the Doctor, but when one comes out, it often feels right – like a breath of fresh air. But when you really think about it, most versions aren’t that original. They usually give the Doctor appealing qualities, make them relatable as a person, and give them a dramatic flair.

It’s perfectly fine as it is. Everything that needed to happen has, and it’s been successful, but it will be really interesting to see what comes next.

Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures: Aegis is available to buy from Big Finish now.

As a huge Doctor Who fan, I’m thrilled you can now stream it all on BBC iPlayer! And if you’re like me and want to really dive in, there’s an amazing story guide available. It’s got reviews of every single episode since the very beginning in 1963, plus details on the cast and crew, fun production facts, and even some exclusive stuff from the TopMob archive. It’s a total treasure trove for Whovians!

Don’t miss Doctor Who! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, writing 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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2026-05-15 19:36