The BBC has firmly denied reports suggesting that Doctor Who and its lead actor, Ncuti Gatwa, are at risk due to backlash against the show’s progressive storylines. Claims circulating in certain tabloids that the sci-fi series is facing cancellation because of “wokery” have been dismissed as baseless. A BBC spokesperson stated, “This story is incorrect, Doctor Who has not been shelved.” They reiterated that the decision on a third season would come after season two airs, and the long-standing deal with Disney+ still includes 26 episodes, with half yet to be broadcast.
These rumors appear to be part of a broader cultural pushback against diverse and inclusive storytelling. Since its 1963 debut, Doctor Who has consistently embraced social change, featuring LGBTQ+ characters and themes long before the so-called “woke agenda” became a point of contention in right-wing media. Ncuti Gatwa’s portrayal of the Doctor—groundbreaking as the first Black lead in the role—has drawn immense praise but has also triggered hostility from segments of the fanbase resistant to change.
Gatwa himself has spoken openly about the racist and homophobic backlash he has faced since taking on the role. “I wouldn’t be the only Black lead that’s taken over a sci-fi franchise and received this sort of treatment,” he acknowledged in an interview. “Unfortunately, those voices exist in sci-fi fandoms, but they’re not the only voices.” Despite this, he emphasized the overwhelming warmth and support he has received from devoted Doctor Who fans worldwide.
This saga reflects a familiar pattern in pop culture: the resistance to representation, often framed as opposition to “politicizing” beloved franchises. Yet, LGBTQ+ inclusion in Doctor Who is not new, nor is it an anomaly—it is part of the DNA of a show that has championed acceptance, transformation, and resilience for decades. If anything, the reaction to Gatwa’s Doctor proves precisely why such representation remains essential.