Actor Peter Capaldi played the Twelfth Doctor in the iconic Doctor Who franchise. In a recent interview, he reflected on the intense reactions from a section of the show’s fanbase. Following the casting of Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa, which triggered online backlash, Capaldi stated that the show is being given far more importance than it should.
Doctor Who’s controversial casting “reflects its times”, says Capaldi
Doctor Who triggered massive online debates about representation and backlash from sections of the fandom after Jodie Whittaker became the first female Doctor and Ncuti Gatwa became the first Black man to play the leading role in the franchise as the Fifteenth Doctor. In an interview with The Times of London, Capaldi said that such casting reflects modern times, as the industry has become more inclusive than it once was.
He added that these changes mark an evolution in the industry and should be seen as positive developments. “It reflects its times, and it’s a good thing in the world,” he said.
He further suggested that the cultural weight of Doctor Who has grown significantly, with every change inviting intense scrutiny and polarizing reactions. He indicated that the level of seriousness with which fans dissect every aspect of the show takes away from what it is intended to be—“just a monster show.”
“It’s become a bit too big, too important for the BBC or whoever,” Capaldi said, adding, “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.”
And it isn’t just Doctor Who—legacy franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and even the Harry Potter franchise have faced backlash when they attempted to diversify or reinvent themselves. At its core, Capaldi’s point is that fans should view Doctor Who as a fun sci-fi series, rather than turning it into broader cultural, gender, or race debates.
Gatwa, along with actors like Paapa Essiedu, who have faced RA and online hate, serves as a reminder of how disagreements over casting can go too far. In that context, Capaldi’s recent comments offer food for thought.
Do you agree with the Twelfth Doctor’s assertion regarding how the show should be perceived? Let us know in the comments section below.
