Doctor Who’s ‘Woke’ Casting Backlash Addressed by Peter Capaldi

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It’s uncertain what the future holds for the sci-fi series after recent criticism surrounding its casting choices. Peter Capaldi, a former star of the show, believes the critics are overreacting and don’t fully grasp the reasons behind the negative response.

Peter Capaldi, who played the Twelfth Doctor from 2013 to 2017, recently discussed the controversy surrounding the casting of new Doctors in an interview with The Times of London. Although he hasn’t watched the show since leaving, he’s familiar with the criticism aimed at Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa – specifically, complaints about a woman and a queer Black actor taking on the role. Capaldi believes this kind of diverse casting is positive and suggests those who disagree need to reconsider their views.

Peter Capaldi Says Don’t Take Doctor Who So Seriously

Capaldi explains that the show is a product of its time and generally positive, but it’s grown beyond what it originally was – and perhaps beyond the BBC’s control. He remembers enjoying it as a child simply as a fun monster show and doesn’t understand why people now treat it with such seriousness.

As a long-time fan, I remember when Jodie Whittaker took over from Peter Capaldi, becoming the Thirteenth Doctor from 2018 to 2022. It was fun seeing David Tennant pop back in for a bit as the Fourteenth, but then Ncuti Gatwa really shone as the Fifteenth Doctor starting in 2023. He’s actually finishing up after two seasons, which he confirmed last year. While we haven’t heard officially who’s taking over as the Sixteenth Doctor, his last episode definitely seemed to suggest Billie Piper, who’s been in the show before, might be returning!

Last year, Jane Tranter, the producer of Doctor Who, spoke out in support of the show’s casting decisions, stating they weren’t influenced by current social or political debates. She explained that Doctor Who has a long history of being forward-thinking, and that casting actors like Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa simply continued that tradition.

As a fan, one of the things I really appreciate about Doctor Who is its ability to tackle important, sometimes difficult, topics while still being incredibly fun to watch – and that’s just Russell T Davies’ style. Honestly, I don’t see casting Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor, or Ncuti Gatwa as the first Black Doctor, as some kind of big political statement. To me, it just feels right, like it should be happening – it feels completely natural.

Russel T Davies Addressed the Online Backlash

Davies recently addressed criticism of the show during a workshop at Series Mania in France. He pointed out that online discussions, particularly on X, don’t necessarily reflect the opinions of all fans, as people often mistake online voices for the entire fanbase.

He firmly stated that the online criticism and his supporters’ opinions are completely separate. He emphasized, “I know they’re different,” and pointed out that the negative comments come from X, a platform he considers to be filled with hate. He cautioned against assuming that hostile online voices represent the views of his actual fans.

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2026-04-26 00:06