Doctor Who Icon Shuts Down Backlash Over the Show’s First Female and Black Leads

Let's talk about "Doctor Who"—a show that, for all its timey-wimey science fiction fun, still manages to stir up controversy with its casting choices. You'd think a series built on shape-shifting aliens could get away with a little variety in its lead, but welcome to the internet in 2024.

Peter Capaldi—yes, the Twelfth Doctor himself—recently weighed in on the wave of online hate aimed at both Jodie Whittaker (the show's first female Doctor) and Ncuti Gatwa (the first openly queer Black actor in the TARDIS). To put it bluntly: Capaldi's baffled by the outrage.

Capaldi Isn't Impressed by Online Backlash

In a chat with The Times of London, Capaldi pointed out the obvious: It's basically a "monster show." Here's how he put it:

"When I was a kid and watched it, it was just a monster show in the corner of the room. I don't know why people take it so seriously."

He added that the show "reflects its times" and called it "a good thing in the world," but wonders if it's gotten a bit too huge for its own good (and for the BBC). Long story short: He doesn't understand why fans get so fired up over casting in a show built around change and reinvention.

Why Are Fans Still Arguing About Who Plays the Doctor?

Here's the rundown:

• After Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker took over as the Thirteenth Doctor—the first woman in the role, which, predictably, brought out the worst corners of fandom.
• Ncuti Gatwa followed later as the Fifteenth Doctor, breaking ground as the first openly queer Black actor in the role. (Yes, this also managed to upset a vocal portion of viewers who apparently prefer their sci-fi frozen in amber.)
• Both Whittaker and Gatwa left earlier than some fans expected.

The internet hostility? Not exactly a shock if you've poked your head into social media lately, but it's worth noting that a lot of the noise happens on X (formerly Twitter)—a platform that showrunner Russell T Davies recently described as basically a "hate site." Davies made it clear: Just because the loudest people online are upset, doesn't mean the broader audience feels the same way.

"It's very dangerously assumed that [the online backlash] is the fan voice."

What's Next For "Doctor Who"?

With Gatwa's departure, the BBC hasn't announced who's getting the keys to the TARDIS next. The speculation machines are running at full power, but for now, there's a vacancy at the heart of one of TV's weirdest, most enduring franchises.

So to recap: "Doctor Who" continues to make bold choices in casting, the internet continues to react exactly how you'd expect, and Peter Capaldi is over here wondering why everyone's so worked up about a show full of rubber monsters and time travel. Honestly? Hard to argue with the man.