Doctor Who producer reveals why casting Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker was not “some bold step in the culture wars”

In a recent conversation, Doctor Who’s producer Jane Tranter discussed the series’ approach towards addressing important topics and its historic choices for the role of the Doctor, including Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor and Ncuti Gatwa as the first permanent Black Doctor.

In 2005, Tranter became a member of the innovative group that rejuvenated Doctor Who. She reappeared on the show in 2023, working alongside showrunner Russell T Davies once more. Notably, she has also overseen popular shows such as Succession, Spooks, and Life on Mars.

In an interview with King’s College London’s InTouch magazine, she commented: “I appreciate that ‘Doctor Who’ addresses delicate matters in a captivating and enjoyable fashion, and this is due to Russell T Davies’ writing style.

I wouldn’t view the choice of Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor or Ncuti Gatwa as the first Black Doctor as a courageous move in cultural battles. Instead, I see it as a natural progression. It’s just how things should be. It feels ordinary.

In more modern times, discussions have arisen about Doctor Who’s perceived forward-thinking stance, sometimes referred to as its “wokeness.

Nonetheless, showrunner Davies has openly expressed that he disregards such criticisms related to the said topic.

He finds it somewhat puzzling when others claim he is now representing certain things, as he believes they are simply the people he resides with, knows, and cherishes.

To me, that’s just the usual method, I’m not aware of any other approach. Others might object, but by then, I’ve already moved forward and it no longer concerns me.

In this paraphrase, I have tried to maintain the original meaning while making the sentence more natural and easy to read, using simpler and more common phrasing.

Davies remarked, “It’s wonderful to witness, I believe. ‘Doctor Who’ serves as an inviting and expansive opportunity for all to engage with. Regardless of your sexual orientation, give it a try, as there’s plenty here that will resonate with you.

You can watch Doctor Who right here on BBC iPlayer. Discover a comprehensive guide to all our Doctor Who stories featuring episode reviews dating back to 1963, detailed cast and crew information, behind-the-scenes trivia, and exclusive content from TopMob’s archive.

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2025-08-19 13:05