Doctor Who season 10: Steven Moffat SLAMS ‘fuss’ at first openly gay companion
DOCTOR WHO showrunner Steven Moffat has hit out at the intense interest surrounding the sexuality of new companion Bill Potts after it was revealed that the character was openly gay.
Dr Who series 10: The Doctor, Bill and Nardole are BACK
Actress Pearl Mackie – who plays Bill – revealed in a recent interview that her character was a lesbian, promptly much discussion and speculation.
During an interview with the BBC, she said that Bill’s second line of dialogue referenced her sexuality but that it did not “define” her character.
Showrunner Steven, 55, blasted the intense scrutiny and “fuss” the admission had created and blasted it during a Doctor Who Q&A in London this evening.
Speaking to media including Express.co.uk, the writer said: “It’s not rare in Doctor Who. Captain Jack was [gay], River Song marries practically everybody, there’s been Vastra and Jenny, in [Doctor Who spin-off] Class it’s normal.
“To be absolutely honest, Pearl and I and the rest of us, we didn’t know that when she did that interview, that she happened to mention it, that there was going to be all that fuss.
“In a way, there kind of shouldn’t be. That’s kind of nonsense. So, just to be clear: we are not expecting any kind of round of applause or pat on the back for that.
“That is the minimum of representation on television and the correct response should be: What took you so long? Not that we’re so great.”
The correct response should be: What took you so long?
He went on to say that the BBC programme makers had not expected “the fuss” that had been generated and called for it to stop.
Steven said that it was “important” not to focus on Bill’s sexuality in a children’s show because it could have a negative impact on the young viewers tuning in to the programme.
The new series of Doctor Who is set to be hitting our screens next month and will see the Peter Capaldi’s 12th Time Lord embarking on his last run before he bows out.
Season 10 will also see the introduction of Bill, who remains something of a mystery but encounters the Doctor on a university campus.
The latest episodes will also see Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas reprising his role as alien Nardole after appearing in the two previous Christmas specials. He recently admitted that he had wanted to be in the programme for a while but had held off due to his late partner Kevin McGee.
Matt, 43, also teased about Nardole’s significance, explaining that there was a reason for his character’s presence.
Doctor Who season 10 will air on BBC One on Saturday, April 15.