Peter Capaldi has weighed in on the backlash faced by Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa over their casting in Doctor Who. While both actors received praise for their performances, their casting also sparked criticism from sections of the audience. Addressing the controversy, Capaldi shared his perspective on the reactions and the evolving nature of the show.
Peter Capaldi on ‘Doctor Who’ backlash
Speaking to The Times, Capaldi—who played the Twelfth Doctor—addressed the criticism surrounding the casting choices.Whittaker made history as the first woman to portray the Doctor, while Gatwa became the first Black, openly queer actor to take on the role. Their casting marked a significant shift for the long-running series, which first aired in 1963.Reflecting on the backlash, Capaldi said the show has always evolved with the times. “It reflects its times and it’s a good thing in the world, though it’s become a bit too big, too important for the BBC or whoever. 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,” he said.Gatwa, who plays the current Doctor, faced racist remarks and online hate following the announcement of his casting.
Ncuti Gatwa on dealing with hate
The Sex Education star also addressed the backlash in a conversation with Attitude. Speaking about the hate he has received, Gatwa said, “It’s not something I’ll avidly keep up on. The hate? It is kind of fascinating to me because there’s so much energy they’re putting into it. I think they need to go find a hobby.”
Casting backlash beyond ‘Doctor Who’
Gatwa is not the only actor to face such reactions in recent times. With a new Harry Potter series in development, Paapa Essiedu has been cast as Severus Snape, a role previously portrayed by Alan Rickman in the films.Following the announcement, Essiedu faced backlash online, with some criticising the casting. Addressing the issue earlier this year, he said he is choosing to channel the negativity into motivation. Speaking to The Times, he added, “It really matters. The reality is that if I look at Instagram I will see somebody saying, ‘I’m going to come to your house and kill you.’ So while I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be murdered… that could age badly! But, yes, while I hope I’ll be OK, nobody should have to encounter this for doing their job.”
