Former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi has spoken out against fans who criticized his successors Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa. The actor, who played the Twelfth Doctor from 2013 to 2017, said he does not understand why some people take the science fiction series so seriously.
Capaldi gave his comments in a recent interview with The Times of London. He pushed back on the idea that the show has become too “woke” by casting a woman and a Black openly queer actor in the lead role.
“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,” Capaldi told The Times.
The 68-year-old Scottish actor remembered watching the show as a child in a very different way.
“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,” he said.
Capaldi Questions Why Doctor Who Has Become ‘Too Important’
Capaldi has been a lifelong fan of Doctor Who. He even started the Scottish branch of the show’s fan club back in the 1970s. But he believes the series has grown much bigger than it needs to be.
Earlier this year, he spoke on the Half the Picture podcast about how the show changed over time.
“The show became very, very big. And it was never like that when I loved it. So it became a different thing,” Capaldi explained.
He said the role now comes with many responsibilities outside of just making the show.
“There were more things that you had to do rather than just… I mean, I think in the old days, if you were Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker or something like that, you spend most of your year making it and then a bit of your year promoting it,” he said.
“But it wasn’t this in-your-face kind of thing that suddenly was really important to the BBC, or suddenly really important to a brand that had to be maintained,” Capaldi added. “It was just a show that some kids really loved, and other kids didn’t care about.”
The Backlash Against Whittaker and Gatwa Explained
Jodie Whittaker made history in 2017 when she was cast as the Thirteenth Doctor. She became the first woman to play the character in the main series. Her run lasted until 2022.
Ncuti Gatwa took over the role in 2023. He became the first Black actor and first openly queer actor to play the Doctor. His time as the Fifteenth Doctor ended in 2025.
Both actors faced strong negative reactions online. Gatwa received racist and homophobic comments after his casting was announced. Critics accused the show of becoming too focused on diversity and so-called “woke” messaging.
Whittaker looked back on her time as the Doctor in a 2025 interview with The Times of London.
“There needed to be a first and I didn’t fully appreciate it,” Whittaker said.
She explained that she did not focus on playing the Doctor as a woman.
“I’m not like Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot: ‘I’m a girl, I’m a girl!’ I just am. But once it was announced — as well as a few grumpy pumps — for a lot of people it felt like a really wonderful moment,” she said.
Showrunner Russell T Davies Also Defends The Castings
Russell T Davies, the current showrunner of Doctor Who, has also spoken out against the online hate. He warned fans not to confuse loud social media voices with genuine fan opinions.
During a masterclass at Series Mania, Davies called X (formerly Twitter) a “hate site” and said people should not be surprised to find hatred there.
“Fandom is creative and brilliant and fun, but it’s all getting soured,” Davies said.
He also shared his thoughts during a Radio 2 interview last year.
“Someone always brings up matters of diversity. And there are online warriors accusing us of diversity and wokeness and involving messages and issues. And I have no time for this,” Davies said.
“Woke just means inclusive, progressive, and that you care about people. And, as far as I know, the core of Doctor Who is kindness, love and doing the right thing,” he added.
Gatwa Reflects on His Time as The Doctor
Ncuti Gatwa exited the series in 2025. He said leaving the role was harder than he expected.
“You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it,” Gatwa said in a statement at the time of his departure.
“There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe,” he added.
Gatwa also spoke about the physical and mental toll of playing the Doctor. During an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said his body felt tired.
“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,” Gatwa said.
When asked if he would ever return to the show, he said, “Never say never.”
Also Read:
Disney+ Partnership Ends, Future of Series Remains Open
Doctor Who ended its partnership with Disney+ in October 2025 after two co-produced seasons. The most recent season finale showed Gatwa leaving the series. Billie Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler during David Tennant’s run, appeared in the finale, but it remains unclear if she will play the next Doctor or return as a companion.
The show’s future direction is still unknown.
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