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Former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi has responded to the online backlash received by his successors Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa.
The Scottish actor, 68, played the Twelfth Doctor from 2014 to 2017. He was replaced in the role by Whittaker and subsequently by Gatwa, who became respectively the first female and Black actors to lead the series.
In a new interview with the Sunday Times, Capaldi dismissed the publication’s suggestion that the show had succumbed to “excessive wokeness.”
“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,” said Capaldi.
The Thick of It star added: “When I was a kid and watched it, it was just a monster show in the corner of the room. I dunno why people take it so seriously.”
Peter Capaldi played the Doctor from 2014 to 2017 (BBC)
Back in 2023, Whittaker told The Independent that taking the role of the Doctor had been “a no brainer”, adding: “I mean, it’s scary because I just didn’t want to be well known. Never wanted anything less!”
She argued that a woman should have been able to play the role earlier, saying: “I’m the 13th – I mean, it should have been the seventh. You know, at some point it should have come earlier – but it didn’t. And so for it to be me, I’m forever riddled with pride.”
She continued: “Someone said to me, ‘Are you gonna play it as a woman?’ You don’t think about being a woman, do ya? I mean, I just don’t walk around in that sense.”
Whittaker played the Doctor from 2017 to 2022, with Gatwa taking over from 2023 to 2025.
After leaving the show, Gatwa revealed that the role had been taking a toll on his body, both mentally and physically.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show, Gatwa said: “I’m getting old, and my body was tired… and I’ve now just started doing some ballet, so I’m making really great decisions.
He added: “It’s the most amazing job in the world, a job that any actor would dream of and – because it’s so good – it’s strenuous. It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time.”
Asked if he would ever come back to the show, he said: “Never say never.”
During Gatwa’s final episode, the Doctor regenerated and appeared to be replaced by former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper.