By Jeremy Sarachan, Associate Professor of Media and Communication, St. John Fisher University

Queerness has always been integral to Doctor Who, insofar as the series has mostly eschewed heteronormative romantic relationships from its premier in 1963.  The main character is an alien and a Time Lord and possesses the ability to regenerate as a response to illness, injury, or old age. This addition of this ability was a necessary solution after the first actor playing the Doctor, William Hartnell, was forced to leave the series due to chronic illness while the show maintained its popularity.¹  This embodied fluidity informs a queer perspective that endures throughout the show’s history.

(Mostly) Chaste Behavior in Classic Who

Throughout the classic series and despite changes in style and genre (e.g., pure sci fi, horror, adventure, action, comedy), the show avoids romance for the protagonist, remaining true to its roots as a children’s show despite its broadening demographic of viewers. Interestingly, the show often used marriage as a primary reason to leave the Doctor.  Granddaughter Susan (1964), Vicki (1965), Jo Grant (1973), Leela (1978), and Peri (1986) all left the Doctor to marry a man they each only just met. These departures cause emotional difficulty for the Doctor, and yet the possibility of romance between the Doctor and the companions never materializes.  In only three instances does the program insinuate romantic tension between the Doctor and his companions.  The third Doctor’s sadness over losing Jo Grant appears to affect him more than many previous departures.  The shot of his driving alone, “smiling sadly,”² at the end of episode six of season ten’s “The Green Death” serial suggests this unrequited possibility.³  The awkward and inexplicable abandonment of Sarah Jane Smith (played by Elisabeth Sladen) on the side of a road is only revisited decades later (see below for discussion).⁴  Finally, the Doctor traveling with Romana,  a fellow time lord, never broaches a romantic pairing, although sexual tension is suggested as least through such settings as Paris (in “City of Death”)  and Brighton Beach (in “Leisure Hive”) and further implied as a result of the actors Tom Baker (The Doctor) and Lalla Ward’s (Romana) brief real life marriage.⁵

In general, classic Who manages to set up the important theme of loneliness for the Doctor, while maintaining his asexuality.⁶ Despite action heroes often “getting the girl,” the Doctor avoids any sort of romantic pairing, and in doing so allows viewers to avoid associating the Doctor with any specific sexual preference.

Romantic Entanglements in NuWho

After being off the air for 18 years, Doctor Who returned to television in 2005.⁷  In the very first season,  Jack Harkness, a pansexual adventurer from the future who flirts with companion Rose, the Doctor, and others, represents  a newfound comfort with romance and queerness.  At the end of that first season, Christopher Eccelston’s regeneration into younger “heartthrob” David Tennant leads to more overt romance.⁸ Throughout season 2 of the new series, feelings emerge between Tennant’s Doctor and Rose, while at the same time the Doctor falls for Madame De Pompadour in “The Girl in the Fireplace.”⁹  Perhaps more interesting is the return of Sarah Jane Smith in “School Reunion” during which she finally expresses her frustration at being abandoned by the Doctor decades earlier.  The story implies that the growing sexual tension between the Doctor and Rose parallels long buried feelings between the fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane.  A comic feud ensues between the two women, ending with Mickey, an ex-boyfriend of Rose, teasing the Doctor about his “ex,” solidifying the comparison.¹⁰  

At the end of this season, Rose becomes trapped on a parallel Earth and her farewell scene earns the ranking of one of the saddest (in fan criticism) moments in the history of the show.¹¹  The Doctor appears to retreat back into the behavior of classic Who, with the loss leading him to ignore/reject the feelings of the next companion, Martha Jones.  Martha’s eventual departure, motivated by the need to leave a relationship with no future rather than due to a sudden love interest, offers one of the series’ more satisfying exits in terms of character development.¹²  

Queerness in nuWho

After establishing the possibility for romantic behavior by the Doctor, the show begins to leave heteronormativity behind as showrunner Steven Moffat interjects more explicit queerness into the show.  During Matt Smith’s run as the Doctor, the program nonchalantly introduces two supporting characters: Madame Vastra and her wife, Jenny.  (Vastra is a Silurian and a self-described “lizard woman.”¹³)  Later, an ongoing storyline during Peter Capaldi’s first season teases viewers with determining the identity of “new” villain, Missy.  She finally explains that her name, “Missy,” is short for “Mistress,”¹⁴  a new regeneration of the Doctor’s long-time antagonist, the Master, who previously presented as male.  This marks the first time such a gender-bending regeneration had been presented on the program.

In the final episode the  following season, Hell Bent, the Doctor shoots (white, male) General Kenossium, causing Kenossium to regenerate into a black woman. She immediately  comments: “back to normal, am I?  The only time I’ve been a man, that last body.  Dear Lord, how do you cope with all that ego?”¹⁵ As the first time in televised canon Doctor Who that a gender-changing regeneration was specifically shown on screen.  Without this narrative move, producers would be leaving the show vulnerable to accusations of breaking with established rules of the program; with this transitional regeneration on screen, the program primes viewers for the Doctor to undergo a similar regeneration.

In Season 10, the program introduces companion Bill Potts as the first gay companion.  Despite some members of fandom being at odds with the frequent mention of her sexual identity, her narrative seamlessly connects to the season’s stories, when Bill turns down a request for a date from a male friend in Knock Knock¹⁶ and the Doctor interrupts a first date in Extremis.  Most significantly, her budding romance with Heather in her first episode leads to her eventual rescue at the end of the season finale.  Heather transforms  Bill into a water creature who can take human form; a change that Heather undergoes at the beginning of the season.¹⁷  Their ability to shapeshift literally underscores the fluidity of gender. 

Prior to this event, in a significant moment for the program, the episode World Enough and Time presents in flashback a conversation between the Doctor and Bill, where they discuss sexuality for Time Lords and the Doctor dismisses the restrictions on who one may love.¹⁸  

Bill: Timelords are flexible in the whole man/ woman thing?

The Doctor: We’re the most civilized civilization in the universe. We’re billions of years beyond your petty human obsession with gender and its associated stereotypes.¹⁹

The show implies that Time Lords are pansexual and anything else is “more primitive” in nature.  The dialogue makes the program’s previously implied foundation of acceptance and progressive thinking concrete.  This conversation (as well as the Doctor’s spoiler that “the future is female”) pointed to the regeneration of the Doctor into a woman, played by Jodie Whiitaker.  Fan reception of this regeneration varied.  Scores of fans expressed delight by what seemed an overdue move, while others cited the demise of the show.²⁰  Even the womb-like opening credits differed from the extended tunnel featured for several of the male doctors and helped to reestablish the show with a more inclusive definition of its hero.  

In the final episodes of Whittaker’s three year run, the Doctor and Yasmin discuss romantic feelings for each other, a pairing previously explored in fan fiction.²¹  However, the program had offered clues to Yasmin’s love for the Doctor over time, with her often commenting that the Doctor is “the best person I ever met.”²²  Ultimately, the Doctor finally articulates her own desire along with her difficulty in sustaining it.

The Doctor: You know what I said earlier, about not being a bad date? Dates are not something I really do. I mean, I used to – have done. And if I was going to, believe me, it would be with you. I think you’re one of the greatest people that I’ve ever known… If it was going to be anyone, it’d be you. But I can’t.²³

This narrative path follows the character’s decade-long arc: The Doctor has fallen in love with women before and has previously identified herself as pansexual.  The program dramatizes these truths in this all-too-brief coupling, destined to end with Whittaker’s regeneration and a new returning showrunner.  

The Future of Doctor Who

In May 2022, the BBC announced Ncuti Gatwa, a Nigerian-born, Scottish actor, best known for playing the openly gay character on the TV series, Sex Education as the new Doctor.²⁴   In fact, Whittaker ultimately regenerates into a 14th Doctor, again played by David Tennant for a brief three special run.  Notably, during Tennant’s brief second stint, the program introduces transgender actor Yasmin Finney from the queer-themed Netflix series, Heartstopper, as the non-binary daughter of Donna Noble.²⁵   Her gender identity drives the resolution and perhaps even saves her mother’s life at the end of Tennant’s first story, The Star Beast.²⁶

The Doctor has never been a traditional heroic figure, sidestepping romantic entanglements during the classic years and ultimately rejecting a heteronormative role entirely.  Paralleling contemporary gender politics in line with its progressive roots, the long-running Doctor Who program, by word and regeneration, finally presents its titular character as a gender fluid, pansexual alien.  That declaration and ongoing representation through supporting characters  is invaluable and profound.  In particular, teens and young adults watching the show now have a hero that they can both admire and see as a reflection of their own queer selves.

Jeremy Sarachan is an Associate Professor of Media and Communication and Interdisciplinary Arts at St. John Fisher University. He has written about game creation and autism, Facebook profile pictures, and Club Penguin.  Sarachan is also a practicing documentary filmmaker and theater director.  This is his third article on Doctor Who, previously writing about fan-produced videos.  

Linkedin

Facebook

Other Publications

Works Cited

1.  “Doctor Who regeneration was ‘modeled on LSD trips,’” BBC News, April 10, 2010,
   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8616413.stm; Craig Elvy, “Doctor Who: Why William Hartnell Quit As The First Doctor,” Screenrant, August 9, 2020, https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-william-hartnell-first-exit-reason-regeneration/. ↩︎
2.  “The Green Death (TV Story),” Tardis Data Core: The Doctor Who Wiki, https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/The_Green_Death_(TV_story) ↩︎
3.  Doctor Who, “The Green Death: Episode Six,” written by Robert Sloman, Barry Letts, and Sydney Newman, directed by Michael E. Briant, aired June 23, 1973. ↩︎
4.  The Doctor is summoned to Gallifrey and explains that non-Time Lords cannot come to the planet, although no other episode follows that logic. Doctor Who, “Hand of Fear: Part Four,” written by Bob Baker, Dave Martin, and Tom Baker, directed by Lennie Mayne, aired October 23, 1976. ↩︎
5.  Doctor Who, “City of Death: Part One,” written by Douglas Adamns, David Fisher, and Graham Williams, directed by Michael Haynes, aired September 29, 1979. Doctor Who, “Leisure Hive: Part One,” written by David Fisher and Sydney Newman, directed by Lovett Bickford, aired August 30, 1980. ↩︎
6.  Of course, this does not follow current definitions of asexuality that emphasize diversity within the asexual community. According to The Trevor Project, “It’s important to remember that asexuality is an umbrella term, and exists on a spectrum. Asexual people — also known as “Ace” or “Aces” — may have little interest in having sex, even though they desire emotionally intimate relationships. Within the ace community, there are many ways for people to identify. Asexuality isn’t: abstinence because of a bad relationship; abstinence because of religious reasons; celibacy; sexual repression, aversion, or dysfunction; loss of libido due to age or circumstance; fear of intimacy; inability to find a partner. Aces might: want friendship, understanding, and empathy; fall in love; experience arousal and orgasm; choose to masturbate; choose to engage in sexual activity; choose not to engage in sexual activity; be of any gender, age, or background; have a spouse and/or children.” In the case of Classic Who, the Doctor hits several of the traits of Aces, especially the desire for friendship, understanding, and empathy. Yet, Classic Who also hints at a possible suppression of romantic feelings, which has strong connections to similar struggles within Queer communities in the twentieth century. “Understanding Asexuality,” The Trevor Project, March 26, 2024, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/understanding-asexuality/#:~:text=People%20who%20identify%20as%20asexual,feel%20about%20your%20boyfriend%2C%20too.. ↩︎
7.  A one-time American version of the show was broadcast in 1996 and featured a Doctor more inclined to romance. Doctor Who: The Movie, directed by Geoffrey Sax, aired May 14, 1996. ↩︎
8.  Simon Hattenstone, “David Tennant: ‘My Bedpost Really has Very Few Notches’ – Interview,” The Guardian, August 19, 2011, https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/aug/19/david-tennant-interview.  ↩︎
9.  Doctor Who, “The Girl in the Fireplace,” written by Steven Moffat and Sydney Newman, directed by Euros Lyn, aired May 6, 2006. ↩︎
10.  Doctor Who, “School Reunion,” written by Toby Whithouse, Bob Baker, and Dave Martin, directed by James Hawes, aired April 29, 2006.  ↩︎
11.  Rodgers, Blake, “Doctor Who: 15 Most Heartbreaking Moments,” Screenrant, February 22, 2017, https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-saddest-scenes-moments/; TheUltimateHeel, “What are your Top 10 saddest moments in modern Doctor Who?”, Reddit, October 2021, https://www.reddit.com/r/doctorwho/comments/q8xx1j/what_are_your_top_10_saddest_moments_in_modern/;Cameron McEwan, “8 of Doctor Who’s saddest moments EVER, from Donna’s exit to ‘I don’t wanna go,’” Digital Spy, October 2, 2018,  https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a841565/doctor-who-sad-david-tennant-billie-piper-catherine-tate-matt-smith/ ↩︎
12.  Doctor Who, “Last of the Time Lords,” written by Russell T. Davies and Sydney Newman, directed by Colin Teague and Graeme Harper, aired June 30, 2007. ↩︎
13.  Doctor Who, “The Snowmen,” written by Steven Moffat and Sydney Newman, directed by Saul Metzstein, aired December 25, 2012. ↩︎
14.  Doctor Who,  “Death in Heaven,” written by Steven Moffat, Kit Pedler, and Gerry Davis, directed by Rachel Talalay, aired November 14, 2014. ↩︎
15.  Doctor Who, “Hell Bent,” written by Steven Moffat, Terry Nation, and Kit Pedler, directed by Rachel Talalay, aired December 5, 2015. The shooting underscores the Doctor’s desperation to undo Clara’s death. This event could function as the basis for an entire essay around ethical choices. ↩︎
16.  Doctor Who, “Knock Knock,” written by Mike Bartlett, Steven Moffat, and Chris Chibnall, directed by Bill Anderson, aired December 6, 2017.  Doctor Who, “Extremis,” written by Steven Moffat, directed by Daniel Nettheim, aired May 20, 2017. ↩︎
17.  Doctor Who, “The Doctor Falls,” written by Steven Moffat, Kit Pedler, and Gerry Davis, directed by Rachel Talalay, aired July 1, 2017. ↩︎
18.  Doctor Who, “World Enough and Time,”written by Steven Moffat, Kit Pedler, and Gerry Davis, directed by Rachel Talalay, aired June 24, 2017. ↩︎
19.  Doctor Who, “World Enough and Time,”written by Steven Moffat, Kit Pedler, and Gerry Davis, directed by Rachel Talalay, aired June 24, 2017. ↩︎
20.  Notably, with every Doctor, there are fans who can’t imagine seeing another actor playing the part, despite the fact that regeneration has occurred 14+ times. ↩︎
21.  “Thasmin,” Shipping Wiki, https://shipping.fandom.com/wiki/Thasmin. ↩︎
22.  The first time in Doctor Who, “Arachnids in the U.K.,” written by Chris Chibnall, directed by Sallie Aprahamian, October 28, 2018. ↩︎
23.  Doctor Who, “Legend of the Sea Devils,” written by Ella Road, Chris Chibnall, and Malcolm Hulke, directed by Haolu Wang, aired April 17, 2022. ↩︎
24.  “Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor,” DoctorWhoTV, May 8, 2022, https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/ncuti-gatwa-is-the-doctor. ↩︎
25.  “’Heartstopper’ Breakout Star Yasmin Finney Joins ‘Doctor Who’ Cast,” NBC News, May 17, 2022, https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/heartstopper-breakout-star-yasmin-finney-joins-doctor-cast-rcna29227. ↩︎
26.  Doctor Who, “Star Beast,” written by Russell T. Davies, Pat Mills, and Dave Gibbons, directed by Rachel Talalay, aired November 25, 2023. ↩︎