In this post, you will see some of the ways I feel that Doctor Who is evolving and growing with the times and the way that diversity is embraced within the 60th Anniversary episodes. I’m yet to watch the new Doctor who episodes, but the 60th anniversary was exciting! So here are the ways the 60th anniversary episodes showed growth in the franchise!
Rose (Donna's daughter): Non-binary, pronouns and Transgender
If you have watched the 60th Anniversary Doctor Who episodes with David Tennant in, you will see exactly what I mean by the first sentence above. Having no insight into these special episodes, I had no idea that Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney would play a role in the series. When she first appeared I jumped for joy, but assumed she was female from birth in it. However, shortly after she was introduced, it was clear that she had in fact been born with a different gender. She was tormented by a group of boys who called her by her previous name and then she expressed to the meep (An alien character) that she was different and that she felt like no one understood her.
In the next scene, Rose (Played by Yasmin) corrects The Doctor by saying “So you’re just going to assume that those are their pronouns” about the Meep… to which The Doctor apologises and then uses the correct ones. It was such a magical moment and felt like it would have been so empowering for Yasmin to have this conversation in a show for the world to see.
We also see Rose’s (Yasmin) grandmother try to show love and support to her by complimenting her, to which the grandmother later asks Rose’s mum, Donna (Catherine Tate) if she had said the right thing, claiming that, she doesn’t know if what she’s saying is ok and that she is trying but it’s difficult. Donna then gives a heartfelt response about it and it is just so well done, it warms my heart. It is so necessary for this conversation to take place on such a huge show in order to show the world that it’s ok to talk about these things. It was so lovely to see the struggle, the trying and the love displayed by a person from an older generation towards their non-binary grandchild. And to see such an accepting, powerful mother figure, Donna, and the way she speaks about her daughter too. It’s truly inspiring and could certainly teach parents of this generation who are confused about how to respond to their children and this ever-changing world.
One of the last scenes in the first episode was absolutely phenomenal. We see that Donna is willing to sacrifice herself if it means saving her daughter and the country. She *dies* but then out of nowhere her energy is restored and we hear a message from Rose who is working to save both The Doctor and Donna. It is made clear that Donna, when becoming pregnant with Rose, actually gave rose some of the power and therefore, they both shared it, in turn saving Donna when the time come to use this suppressed power. Donna speaks two words, the last two she said before having her memory erased fifteen years prior; Binary…Binary..(The next word was then spoken by Rose) Non-binary – This made me cry! It was so well done, and to be portrayed through Yasmin Finney was just incredible. I felt the relief and the power she emitted through those words. It worked so well.
Rose later goes on to speak about how she finally feels right and her and her mum (donna) both embrace how women can just ‘let it go’ and that The Doctor (David Tennant) wouldn’t understand due to being a man. It was an empowering moment for women and paid respect to the former female Doctor!
Shirley Anne Bingham - Wheelchair user
Shirley (Played by Ruth Madeley) is an awesome role in the 60th anniversary episodes. She is a wheelchair user (The actor is too) and also a general badass! It’s incredible to see wheelchair users being represented in television, but a huge stigmatisation is that wheelchair users cannot use their legs. In these episodes we see Shirley in a wheelchair. Not able to go up to the alien ship due to stairs, but later pulling out all the stops by saving The Doctor and Donnas family by using some secrets built into the wheelchair. She makes an incredible remark about wheelchair users, after she sends rockets flying out of her chair! It’s so empowering and she truly holds every power.
There are also parts where we see Shirley stand up from her chair. As mentioned earlier, there is huge stigma around this. People often penalise wheelchair users when they see them stand up or use their legs since the assumption is that wheelchair users are mostly paralysed or cannot use their legs. This is a huge step for showing people to recognise that many people who use wheelchairs can also move their legs and stand, sometimes even walk too. It does not make them any less in need of their mobility aid! It’s great to see this representation on such an incredible famous programme. Educating the masses!
Major Singh, colonel Chan - Diversity
Something I loved was the diversity within the first episode of the 60th Anniversary Doctor Who. We see different skin colours, ethnicity and culture being represented through the characters, and I think it is so important! Two of the main soldiers that appear are both born in England but with different descent. Colonel chan (Played by Jamie Cho) is of Chinese descent and is an important role in his brigade which I think is fantastic as this representation is needed. The episode then introduces us to the soldiers Major, who happens to be Major Singh (Played by Ronan Patani) who is of Indian descent and wears a turban in the episode. Not to mention other main characters such as Shaun temple (Played by Karl Collins), and Rose (Yasmin Finney) who has Jamaican, Irish and Italian descent. These are incredible representations of culture and background! I was absolutely stoked to see this empowerment of diversity.
The next Doctor
I know I’m discussing the 60th anniversary Doctor Who, but I think with the topic of this article at hand, it is absolutely necessary to mention that the next main Doctor is going to be played by the incredible ‘Sex Education’ actor Ncuti Gatwa. Ncuti is not only the first Doctor, played by a POC, but he is the first queer person playing The Doctor too! It is such a great move for the show and I can see so much evolving taking place. It is reaching new heights and is going to touch the hearts and minds of so many people, not to mention how many souls it will help feel heard and represented. I am so excited for what is to come!
Thank you so much for reading. What do you think of the Doctor Who 60th anniversary episodes?
Stay wonderful!
Molly | Transatlantic Notes
•6 months ago
It was great to see the progress within the latest Doctor Who specials and new series, I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and characters and how the writers are tackling these inportant topics. This was a great breakdown of how the show is indeed evolving. Love it!
burstsofautumn
•6 months ago
Thank you so much for your comment! It is so good to see diversity and inclusion isn’t it? 🙂 x