Doctor Whoteased a new Rose ahead of the first David Tennant-starring 60th anniversary special, and revealed early on that the new character with a familiar name would be played by transgender actressYasmin Finney. While the inclusion of the character, who, like Finney is transgender and very central to the events of the episode entitled “The Star Beast,” was praised by many, the character became the subject of a number of complaints to the BBC. Now the broadcaster has responded directly to those who were not happy about the inclusivity of the show’s storyline.
As perDeadline, the BBC have now updated their complaints responses website, and in relation to complaints about the episode that brought David Tennant back to the franchise, they wrote:
As regular viewers ofDoctor Whowill be aware, the show has and will always continue toproudly celebrate diversity and reflect the world we live in. We are always mindful of the content within our episodes.
While almost 8 million people tuned in to see Tennant return as the 14th Doctor, alongside Catherine Tate and Finney as Donna Nobel and her daughter Rose respectively, the inclusion of Rose’s transgender status stirred 144 people in to action to air their grievance with the series and the broadcaster.
Shortly after the episode aired in November,Deadlinereported thatDoctor Who’s return received complaints specifically aimed at Finney’s Rose; not a huge number when considering the millions who tuned in to see Tennant reunite with Catherine Tate’s Donna, but significant for their content. As per the report, the complainants were unimpressed withDoctor Whohaving the “inappropriate inclusion of [a] transgender character.” Others cited the “anti-male” attitude of the character as the reason for their anger.
In “The Star Beast,”The Doctor and Donna face Beep the Meep, a creature that seems harmless enough at first, until its true nature is revealed, along with a plan to destroy the Earth. Well this is aDoctor Whoadventure after all. Throughout the episode, Rose, the daughter of Donna, is seen being taunted for her gender, and her grandmother frequently struggles to note her correct gender. In true Russell T Davies style, the final act sees Rose’s non-binary gender identity playing a part in helping the Doctor and Donna defeat the Meep.
The complaints received by the BBC prove once again how hard it can be for a TV show or movie to include diversity in its casting and character decisions without drawing backlash from a small but vocal portion of the fan base. However, that will not prevent shows likeDoctor Whofrom continuing to bring representation to the fore where possible in the future.
Related:Heartstopper, Doctor Who Star Yasmin Finney Wants to be First Openly Trans Bond Girl
Doctor Who’s Yasmin Finney Shared Her Thoughts on the Show’s Inclusion.
Having already made a name for herself aspart of the Netflix seriesHeartstopper,Yasmin Finney has certainly played her part in bringing trans representation to the small screen. Taking on a prominent role in a huge franchise likeDoctor Who,Finney believes that her significant casting is something that iscrucial for young members of the LGBTQ+ communityto see. She told theBBC:
“It was so surreal to me, because obviously ‘Doctor Who’ is huge, and I remember watching ‘Doctor Who’ when I was growing up years ago, especially the bride episode, David Tennant and Catherine Tate. And I just felt, like, lucky enough to be seen as a trans person in something so huge as ‘Doctor Who,’ and I just felt lucky that like, I would be Catherine Tate’s daughter. In a way, that’s just insane, I mean, she’s an icon, and I love her. I think representation is so important, and if I had Rose growing up, it would be a completely different story, I think. I think representation is what we need and what the younger generation needs to feel like they can do it to. You know?”
It is unclear whether Finney’s Rose will return in any long-term capacity inDoctor Who’s new season, but there is little doubt that Russell T Davies will not shy away from continuing to be as inclusive of all genders, races and orientations where possible.
Doctor Who
Originally premiered in 1963, Doctor Who is a sci-fi series that follows a powerful being known as a Time Lord, referred to as the Doctor. Using an interdimensional time-traveling ship known as the TARDIS, the Doctor travels time and space with various companions as they solve multiple problems and help avert catastrophe as much as they almost cause it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they experience regenerations, allowing them to be recast every few seasons as a unique immortal being with new personality traits.
