‘Doctor Who’ star Peter Capaldi responds to Ncuti Gatwa’s response

Peter Capaldi, who played the Twelfth Doctor on ‘Doctor Who’ from 2013 to 2017, recently told The Times of London that he doesn’t understand why some people take the show “so seriously” when asked about the reactions to the castings of Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa. Whittaker was the first woman to play the Doctor, and Gatwa was the first openly queer black actor in the role.

“It reflects its times and it’s a good thing in the world, even if it’s become a bit too big and too important for the BBC or anyone else,” Capaldi said. “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.”

Gatwa, who starred in the final season of ‘Doctor Who’, faced racist and homophobic backlash online when his casting was revealed. Showrunner and writer Russell T Davies said during a recent masterclass at Series Mania that in the age of social media, it’s easy to “fall into the trap of talking about fans and assuming that means the online voice.”

“I think they’re different things. I know they’re different things, I absolutely know that,” Davies said. “And that online voice, which is hostile, exists on

Davies added that he understands that long-time “Doctor Who” fans “don’t have to like the show” but hopes they can “have a great time disagreeing” in a respectful way.

“Fandom is creative and brilliant and fun, but it’s all starting to sour,” he added. “Turn those phones off for anyone under 16, throw them in the trash. I’m literally evangelical about it.”

Disney+ ended its partnership with the BBC in October 2025 after co-producing two seasons of “Doctor Who.” In the most recent season finale, Gatwa left the series to make way for Billie Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler during David Tennant’s run in the early 2000s. It has not been made clear whether Piper will be the next Doctor or return as a companion.