BBC dismisses criticism of transgender Doctor Who character
BBC dismisses complaints about transgender Doctor Who character, Rose Noble, and addresses her future in the show
Doctor Who has responded to complaints about a transgender character in the show by affirming their commitment to celebrating diversity. Yasmine Finney, known for her role in Heartstopper, played the character Rose Noble in the special 60th anniversary episode titled ‘The Star Beast.’
The episode drew in over 7.5 million viewers in the UK, and despite a few complaints about the character inclusion, only 144 messages were sent to the British broadcaster. Today, the Beeb promptly addressed and dismissed the complaints.
BBC shuts down complaints about transgender Doctor Who character
The BBC website recently conveyed a message from the corporation addressing complaints from viewers. Some objected to the inclusion of a transgender character in the programme, while others felt that there were too few transgender people represented.
The broadcaster responded with the following statement: "As regular viewers of Doctor Who will know, the show has and will always proudly celebrate diversity and reflect the world we live in. We are always mindful of the content within our episodes."
This aligns with showrunner Russel T. Davies' comments in a press conference in November, as reported by Deadline: "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."
Rose Noble’s Doctor Who future explained
Donna Noble's daughter, Rose, first appeared in 'The Star Beast.' She later made another appearance in the anniversary special, 'The Giggle.' But this won't be the end of her character's story.
Rose is briefly glimpsed in the trailer for the upcoming season of Doctor Who, indicating that she will be appearing alongside Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor.
As for the decision to bring back the character, Russell T. Davies explained to Entertainment Weekly: "I was writing a trans character who is a teenager, part of a London family, of mixed race, and that is an unusual set of circumstances for a character to fulfill. The pool of individuals who would audition for that role is not very large."
"Enter Yasmin, and from that moment on, we knew she was the one! I absolutely love working with her, and there are more exciting appearances to come. For more Doctor Who coverage, visit this link, and don't forget to check out our other Movies & TV news."
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the BBC's commitment to celebrating diversity and reflecting the world we live in. The inclusion of a transgender character in Doctor Who is a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and representative media landscape. It's important for all voices to be heard and represented, and I believe that this decision will resonate with many viewers.
Furthermore, I am excited about the potential for Rose Noble's character to develop and grow in future episodes. The fact that she will be appearing alongside Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor adds even more intrigue and anticipation to the upcoming season. I am eager to see how her character evolves and contributes to the overall narrative of the show. Overall, I applaud the BBC for taking a stand against hate and discrimination, and I look forward to seeing more diverse and inclusive representation in Doctor Who and other media productions.
