The new companion on the iconic TV show Doctor Who is a lesbian. It’s the first time in the shows fifty four year history that the Doctor’s regular sidekick has been gay.
Pearl Mackie joins the show as new companion Bill Potts.
“It shouldn’t be a big deal in the 21st century. It’s about time isn’t it?” Mackie, who plays Bill Potts on the latest season of the show, told BBC. “That representation is important, especially on a mainstream show.”
Mackie said showing diversity on television is really important.
“I remember watching TV as a young mixed race girl not seeing many people who looked like me, so I think being able to visually recognize yourself on screen is important.”
The Doctor has had some LGBTI sidekicks previously. John Barrowman played bisexual time traveler Captain Jack Harness when the show was relaunched in 2005. He went on to have his own spin-off series Torchwood.Â
More recently The Doctor has teamed up with Silurian detective Madame Vastra and her wife Jenny. There have also been suggestions that the Doctor’s romantic interest River Song is bisexual.
Mackie joins the show for Peter Capaldi’s last season playing the title character. She appears alongside Little Britain star Matt Lucas who reprises his role as Nardole from the last two Christmas specials.
Fans are eager for new episodes of the show after it spent a year off the air, with exceptions of two Christmas specials.
Doctor Who returns to ABC TV 7:40pm Sunday April 16th
OIP Staff Â
