When it comes to the concept and idea of change, resistance always goes hand in hand with it. Anything different is bound to get pushback from the traditionalists. This is something the media is very familiar with. Audiences are unable to witness the ideals they hold dear to themselves, which are washed away by something new.
Many shows have become subject to criticism because of this, and the not-so-recent victim of such conversation has been the beloved series Doctor Who. Ever since it was announced that Ncuti Gatwa would take on the role of the new Doctor, many fans have become upset. They cannot fathom the idea of the character being portrayed by a black actor permanently.
Gatwa and showrunner Russell T Davies, have finally spoken on this, and their replies to the haters are priceless.
Russell T Davies Talked About the Theme of the Next Doctor Who Season
Recently, Russell T Davies and Ncuti Gatwa gave an interview with Rolling Stone, where they touched on the controversy surrounding the race of the new Doctor. The showrunner started by saying that it was about time a progressive change was seen in the series. He specifically talked about how the grander and longer-running shows often fail to keep up with changing tides, and they wanted to change the approach.
“It’s about time.” he went on, “Sometimes, big old terrestrial and streaming shows can be slow machines to catch up with the world,” he explained.
He continued that when someone starts to age, they tend to become fixed in their ideologies. They become more resistant to change and learning something new, and such rigidity shows in the work they do.
“And I’m getting older now, so you become one of those gatekeepers of television, for want of a better word, and your job is then is to hold the gate open: ‘Come on, everyone!’”
Davies did not want to be such a person and believed he had another responsibility. He wanted to be the other person in power who was helping make space for more diversity in spaces like television. He wanted to tell more stories from different perspectives, rather than only focusing on one.
Earlier, he also talked about how the new season would focus on more progressive themes because “If you’re not writing that [in 2024], what on Earth are you doing?”.
Ncuti Gatwa is Not Going Anywhere
Ncuti Gatwa then went on to add what he thought about the situation. Doctor Who is a show that is fundamentally full of change. It follows the protagonist through many eras of human existence and a life like theirs requires adaptability to the changing times. Much like this, he believes the change that the show is bringing to its cast is perfectly on brand with its ideologies, contrary to what many haters might say.
“That’s what the show does. It evolves and it regenerates. I feel like it’s about time, and I am here. For all you damners out there, I’m not going anywhere.”
It would seem that the actor also specifically talked about the hate he received. He started by mentioning that a Doctor of color has been long overdue. However, his entry is better late than never. Gatwa then stated that he was here to stay, and there was nothing any of the haters could do about it. It is safe to say that such a response is very on-brand with his character.
Allons-y!
