The upcoming season of Doctor Who is set to be the gayest yet, with several notable additions to the cast and crew. The beloved franchise has seen a return of Russell T Davies as showrunner, with drag superstar Jinkx Monsoon playing a sinister villain and up-and-coming star Pete McHale joining as the show’s first-ever trans actor. Additionally, trans megastar Yasmin Finney has been confirmed as a guest star, playing the daughter of the Doctor’s former companion and gay icon Donna.
But the most highly anticipated addition to the show is undoubtedly Ncuti Gatwa, who is set to play the 15th iteration of the Time Lord in season 14. Gatwa, who shot to fame as gay student Eric on Sex Education, has never publicly discussed his sexuality but has been praised by fans for the honesty and impact of his storyline. Fans are eagerly anticipating Gatwa’s portrayal of the Time Lord, and the BBC has recently released first-look images of him in his iconic pinstriped, double-breasted blue suit.
The new images of Gatwa and his companion, Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, have sent fans into a frenzy. In the images, the pair arrive in the “swinging 60s” looking like they invented the era, with Gatwa in his blue suit and Gibson in a sharp black and white mod mini dress. The BBC has also hinted that the episode could be about the Stonewall Riots, referencing the protests against homophobic police raids at the Stonewall Inn in New York in the late 60s.
Die-hard fans of the show have been quick to point out the similarities between Gatwa and David Tennant’s Doctor, and the images have sparked speculation about what Gatwa’s Time Lord will bring to the show. The premiere episode of Gatwa’s run as the Time Lord, and Monsoon’s “major role” as a musically-inclined villain, is set to air on BBC One on December 25, 2023. With its diverse cast and groundbreaking storylines, Doctor Who’s 14th season promises to be one of the most exciting yet.
