The longstanding, and rather annoying, criticism about the recent run of Doctor Who is that it has "gone woke" - whether it be due to its diverse casting or storylines.

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But for those working on the show, it's no setback to them. In a new interview with The Standard, Millie Gibson has addressed the comments made by viewers, simply stating: "I'd just watch the show for what it is."

She told the publication: "I remember watching an episode where David Tennant goes back, I think it's with Martha, and they meet Shakespeare. And he's like, 'Oh yeah, Shakespeare's quite hot.' [This is] literally what Who does.

"I think because [of] the way the world is, they're making jabs at anything that's relating to this. It's not really necessary. The show is so pure and beautiful and is literally about two best friends travelling the universe, so just watch it and get over it somewhat!

"It didn't cross my mind at all… Having people like Jinkx Monsoon in it [as Maestro in Devil’s Chord], I’m her biggest fan. I don’t think it’s a problem at all."

Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson leaning against one another, smiling ahead. They are dressed as The Doctor and Ruby Sunday in the middle of the TARDIS.
Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson for Doctor Who. BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon

Gibson isn't the first star to speak on the show's perceived 'wokeness', with new companion Varada Sethu telling Radio Times magazine that the comments indicate the show is doing just what it should be.

"There's been a couple of Doctor Woke [references] or whatever," she said, "but I just think we're doing the right thing if we're getting comments like that."

She added: "Woke just means inclusive, progressive, and that you care about people. And, as far as I know, the core of Doctor Who is kindness, love and doing the right thing."

Doctor Who stars in the TARDIS
Doctor Who. BBC

Showrunner Russell T Davies also addressed the criticisms during an appearance on BBC Radio 2 show Doctor Who: 20 Secrets from 20 Years, explaining he had "no time" for reactions from "online warriors".

"Someone always brings up matters of diversity," he said. "And there are online warriors accusing us of diversity and wokeness and involving messages and issues.

"And I have no time for this. I don’t have a second to bear. Because what you might call diversity I just call an open door."

Doctor Who continues Saturday 10th May on BBC One, with new episodes available from 8am on Saturdays on BBC iPlayer in the UK. The series is available on Disney+ outside of the UK.

Dive into our Doctor Who story guide: reviews of every episode since 1963, plus cast & crew listings, production trivia, and exclusive material from the Radio Times archive.

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Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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