Peter Capaldi Supports Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker’s Casting in Doctor Who: “I Don’t Understand Why People Are So Serious About It”
Peter Capaldi Defends Doctor Who Franchise Amidst Fan Criticism
Nearly a decade after his tenure as the Twelfth Doctor, Peter Capaldi has come to the defense of his fellow Time Lords within the Doctor Who franchise. In a recent interview, the Oscar-winning actor addressed the strong reactions from fans regarding the beloved series, particularly in light of its evolving cast.
Capaldi expressed concern over fans who take the show "so seriously," voicing support for his successors, Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa, who portrayed the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Doctors, respectively. “It reflects its times and it’s a good thing in the world,” Capaldi remarked in an interview with The Times. “Though it’s become a bit too big, too important for the BBC or whoever. When I was a kid and watched it, it was just a monster show in the corner of the room. I dunno why people take it so seriously.”
Whittaker stepped into the role following Capaldi’s three-season run from 2014 to 2017, maintaining the Doctor’s legacy until 2022. Her casting as the first female Doctor initially faced criticism, but she later acknowledged the significance of that moment in television history. “There needed to be a first,” Whittaker stated. “I didn’t fully appreciate it. I’m not like Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot: ‘I’m a girl, I’m a girl!’ I just am. But once it was announced — as well as a few grumpy pumps — for a lot of people it felt like a really wonderful moment.”
Gatwa marked another milestone in Doctor Who history as the first Black Doctor, taking over in a Disney+ reboot that spanned two seasons before concluding last May. Reports suggest that backlash from certain groups influenced Disney’s decision not to renew the series for a third season.
Reflecting on his groundbreaking role, Gatwa shared that landing the part felt “just really powerful,” particularly for a Rwandan immigrant like himself. He emphasized the show’s deep roots in British culture, stating it resonates with “people of color, for marginalized people who really gravitate towards the show because it’s about friendship and it’s about adventure and it’s about union and unity.”
Executive producer and showrunner Russell T. Davies also addressed critiques regarding the show’s inclusivity, declaring he has “no time” for such concerns. “I don’t have a second to bear it,” he asserted. “Because what you might call diversity, I just call an open door.”
