Gender in Doctor Who

Lore & Background

Male companions have been fewer. Many have had careers in the military or appeared as soldiers, including Ben Jackson, Jamie McCrimmon, and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman, first appeared in 'The Empty Child' (2005) as a former Time Agent and con man, with a character arc transforming from coward to hero. Rory Williams, portrayed by Arthur Darvill, was introduced as the boyfriend of companion Amy Pond and later marries her; Darvill stated Amy will always wear the trousers. A female Master called Missy was introduced in the eighth series episode 'Deep Breath' (2014), portrayed by Michelle Gomez. The Thirteenth Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, is the first female incarnation of the Doctor, introduced in a short clip televised during the 2017 Wimbledon Championships. Fan reaction was largely positive, but a sizable minority protested that the Doctor shouldn't be played by a woman; supportive fans cite she would be a positive role model for young girls.

Reader's Guide

The significance of gender in Doctor Who lies in its evolution of companion roles from stereotypical depictions to more complex, equal characters. Early female companions were often teenage girls or secretaries, while male companions frequently had military backgrounds. The introduction of Sarah Jane Smith marked a shift toward a feisty, opinionated equal to the Doctor, as noted by writer Toby Whithouse. Later companions like Ace, Rose Tyler, and Martha Jones were written with greater depth and agency, addressing issues such as unhealthy relationships and STEM representation. The show also broke ground with its first openly non-heterosexual character, Jack Harkness, and later a lesbian companion, Bill Potts, as well as a same-sex married couple, Madame Vastra and Jenny. The casting of Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor sparked debate but was seen by supporters as a positive role model. The portrayal of gender continues to reflect changing societal attitudes, with the show's companions serving as a lens through which gender roles are examined and challenged.

Did You Know?

• Liz Shaw, played by Caroline John, said she was excited to be a brainy girl but found directors wanted a sexy piece and found the role restricting.
• Sarah Jane Smith, played by Elisabeth Sladen, was described by writer Toby Whithouse as changing the companion from a helpless hysteric to a feisty, strong equal to the Doctor.
• Ace, played by Sophie Aldred, was written to be a fighter and not a screamer, and is cited as the first modern companion.
• Jack Harkness was the first openly non-heterosexual character in televised Doctor Who, created by Russell T Davies to introduce bisexuals properly into mainstream television.