BBC’s trailblazing sci-fi series Doctor Who marked new territory in its latest episode. According to Deadline, leading doctor Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education, Masters of the Air) and guest star, Jonathan Groff (Mindhunter, Frozen), marked the series’ first-ever same-sex kiss in Saturday’s episode. A first in the show’s 60-year history.
*Spoilers for Doctor Who Episode 6, “Rogue” below*
According to Deadline, the episode entitled “Rogue” followed Gatwa’s time-traveling crusader to 1813 London during the British Regency. The doctor must join forces with Goff’s bounty hunter, Rogue, to stop shape-shifting Chuldurs from causing any further harm. Throughout the episode, the two strangers’ disdain for each other gradually shifts to mild flirtation. Audiences welcomed the banter, via The Daily Mail, describing Gatwa and Groff as having “eclectic chemistry.”
Eventually, the duo comes face-to-face with the creature in a showdown. Goff’s Rogue valiantly sacrifices himself, but not before giving the doctor a goodbye kiss.
Since the series’ inception in 1963, the Doctor had always been portrayed by a white male. This changed drastically with the casting of Jodi Whittaker (Attack the Block, One Day) as the Thirteenth Doctor in 2018. Her incarnation served in three series and five specials, ending her tenure in 2022. Gatwa is the first Black actor to play the Time Lord in a full series. He is also the first openly queer actor to portray the character.
In an interview with Variety, Gatwa spoke on the public’s initial response to him portraying the character.
“I feel like anyone that has a problem with someone who’s not a straight white man playing this character, you’re not really, truly a fan of the show. You’ve not been watching!” Gatwa told Variety. “Because the show is about regeneration, and the Doctor is an alien — why would they only choose to be this sort of person?”
While this is the show’s first same-sex kiss, it isn’t Doctor Who’s first embrace of queer representation. This season added drag queen Jinkx Monsoon (Happiest Season, Blue Bloods) in villain role. And during the 60th-anniversary specials, trans performer Yasmine Finney (Heartstopper) was cast as a companion. The backlash against Finney’s casting was defended by writer and showrunner Russell T. Davies (Torchwood, Years and Years).
“[There are] newspapers of absolute hate, and venom, and destruction, and violence who would rather see that sort of thing wiped off the screen destroyed. Shame on you, and good luck to you in your lonely lives,” Davies said via Deadline.
New episodes of Doctor Who are available in the U.S. at 4 p.m. PT on Fridays on Disney+. They are available at midnight on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.