Yes, the new Doctor is female. And no, it shouldn't be a big deal.

This past weekend, the BBC revealed who would be playing the iconic character “the Doctor” for the 13th incarnation of Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker. 

For the first time since the show’s inception back in 1963, a female actress will play the lead role of the hit British sci-fi program. 

While many praised the decision to cast a woman as the new Doctor, a significant portion of the fanbase remains skeptical of the choice. Many feel that the show is prioritizing alternative social agendas rather than focusing on the storytelling itself. Regardless of the debate surrounding the choice, the attention Whittaker’s casting as the 13th Doctor has generated highlights a fundamental question for fan communities and the general audience: why is the issue of gender in entertainment still so divisive? 

Diversity for the Purpose of Diversity 

Over the past few years, casting decisions have overshadowed numerous projects - Ghostbusters being the poster child of pushing a so-called “politically correct” agenda. While Ghostbusters ultimately ended up receiving mixed reviews, it faced months of criticism long before its release, primarily focused on the all-female cast.  

Although all-female remakes are nothing new, the modern era has seen a significant push in remaking classic films with female casts, with Ghostbusters (2016) and the upcoming Ocean’s Eight (2018) leading the way. And as discussions on whether or not other iconic franchises such as James Bond should feature female leads, it’s not surprising that many feel casting decisions are becoming more so political statements rather than simply a means for making a good film or television series. 

While these are legitimate concerns, it’s important to remember that women are still vastly underrepresented in sci-fi roles today. While it’s true that casting choices should primarily be to serve the story, if there’s no direct push to diversify and expand the audience, there may not be an incentive to naturally do so in the first place, seeing as how it took nearly 50 years before Doctor Who saw its first female Doctor. 

Gender is Secondary to Storytelling 

Although gender has become a central point of debate in today’s entertainment industry, most forget that in the end, an actor/actress’s gender is secondary to storytelling. Within the Doctor Who universe, the Doctor is never specified to only being male, meaning that changing the gender of the character is not disingenuous to the mythos of Doctor Who and thus perfectly fine. In this case, the storytelling takes precedence over a trivial detail such as a change in gender.

Game of Thrones is one of the, if not the biggest show on TV at the moment. Praised for it’s expansive world, rich history, and dynamic characters with engaging arcs, gender is rarely an issue despite the fact that Game of Thrones boasts one of the most diverse and multi-dimensional casts with multiple female leads. 

Game of Thrones is well known for its portrayal of strong and dynamic female characters (Source: HBO)

This is largely due to the fact that gender is ultimately secondary to character development and intriguing storytelling. When a story is good and can truly stand on its own, few people pay attention to whether or not there contains some sort of social commentary on real world issues or an ulterior agenda. So long as the best actor/actress is selected to help tell a story, race and gender ought to remain secondary concerns. 

Qualifications take Precedence over Gender Expectations

The main controversy that Whittaker’s casting has caused is not just of casting female leads, but of casting female leads in traditionally male roles. While there’s little question that women can successfully helm blockbuster franchises and hit television shows, people are more hesitant to jump on board when the gender of a role is switched for the sake of diversity. This skepticism creates a climate where any effort to create equal representation can be viewed as being motived by a political agenda. 

Often times, films and television shows rarely specify that only someone of a certain gender can play a role. Because of this, backlash to gender-swapped casting is largely the result of a push against “established gender roles” more so than an individual themselves. 

In order to truly move past constant criticism of casting women in traditionally male roles, the idea of gender in entertainment must be reexamined. While it’s important to distinguish between actors and actresses’ achievements, gender is ultimately irrelevant when considering who is the best fit for a job. Instead of preceding announcements of casting decisions with the gender of the individual, simply focus on the project itself. By doing so, even if there is a remake with an all-female cast, steps can be taken toward shifting conversation away from “political agendas” and “PC culture” and toward selecting the most qualified individual for any given role. 

Final Thoughts

The recent decision to have a woman play the next Doctor is a monumental, and long overdue, step forward in terms of representation in entertainment. While many remain hesitant to embrace the decision, it’s also important to note that gender should always take a backseat to creative storytelling. When filling a position or role, skill and talent should be prioritized over promoting projects simply because of gender or race. By redefining the conversation and portrayal of roles beyond gender, an effort can be made not only to promote equal opportunity, but also to focus on qualifications rather than superficial misconceptions.

Yes, Jodie Whittaker is the new Doctor, and yes she is a woman. But she shouldn’t just be known because she is a woman, but because she is a great actress as well. 

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Erwen (Alex) Zhu is a Junior at the University of California Berkeley and writes as a millennial voice for marketing, social media, entertainment, politics, and cultural impact.

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