After a historical episode of Doctor Who featuring a same-sex kiss, the BBC has dismissed viewer complaints around the episode “Rogue.” The two complaints stated there was “inappropriate sexual innuendo” and “unsuitable for children,” according to Deadline, happening between the Doctor, portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education, Barbie) and Jonathan Groff’s (Mind Hunter, Hamilton) character, Rogue, through the episode inspired by Bridgerton.
However, the complaints were disregarded and deemed the “sexual innuendo…mild and suitable for Doctor Who’s young audience”, according to Deadline. The ECU (The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit) stated, “The ECU considered the sexual innuendo to be towards the mildest end of the spectrum and in any case likely to go over the heads of children…The development of the relationship served the needs of fast-moving plot and was unlikely to strike viewers of any age as a model for interpersonal relationships outside this particular fictional context”, as told to Deadline.
Although the show has depicted kisses between the same sex in previous seasons, it solely involved side characters. This episode marks the first time that the series would have a purposeful relationship with the same sex. In a 2005 episode, Captain Jack, portrayed by John Barrowman (Arrow), kissed Christopher Eccleston’s (Thor: The Dark World) Doctor in a brief encounter. However, the interaction was void of romantic interest and passion. More recently, the show’s first female Doctor, Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch), had an implied crush on her companion Yaz, who was also a woman. Gatwa’s Doctor had a deliberate romantic subplot with Rogue, and an entire episode showed his same-sex attraction through flirting and dancing around the ball with men.
This episode marks a historic on-screen event, with the series having an over 40-year run, combining both iterations of the series, “Rouge” gave the doctor his first same-sex kiss – and the ECU is defending the choice.