Doctor Who producer Jane Tranter recently discussed the casting of Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker as the fifteenth and thirteenth Doctors, respectively. Although the two stars’ tenures on the show have concluded, their casting previously elicited mixed reactions from fans. The British TV series is regarded as a science fiction classic and is one of the longest-running shows on television.

Jane Tranter says casting Jodie Whittaker and Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who wasn’t a ‘culture wars’ move

Jane Tranter, recognized for her work on Doctor Who, recently spoke with InTouch Magazine and shared her thoughts on the casting of Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker.

Tranter, who collaborated with showrunner Russell T Davies, described the casting of the two actors as “normal” and stated, “I like the fact Doctor Who can touch on sensitive issues and do it in an entertaining and engaging way, but that’s how Russell T Davies writes. I also don’t see the casting of Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor or casting Ncuti Gatwa as the first Black Doctor as some bold step in the culture wars. It’s simply as it should be.”

Gatwa was part of the show from 2023 to 2025. When discussing his departure from the show in July 2025, Gatwa mentioned that he was “getting old,” adding that his “body was tired.” Whittaker left the show in 2022, reportedly to spend more time with her family.

Due to criticism aimed at Doctor Who for allegedly making creative decisions based on “wokeness” in recent years, showrunner Davies has also responded to critics who have questioned the casting choices. In a conversation with BBC Radio 2, he asserted, “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. I don’t have a second to bear [it]. Because what you might call diversity, I just call an open door.” (via BBC News)

Originally reported by Ishita Verma on SuperHeroHype.