"Think we're doing the right thing": Doctor Who star addresses the latest "too woke" comments on the sci-fi show

Doctor Who Season 15 has been criticized as "woke" by some. As a reaction to such criticisms, actress Varada Sethu, who plays the Doctor's companion, believes such reactions are a sign that the show is on the right path. According to her, the core principles of Doctor Who are still about "kindness, love, and doing the right thing."

According to Radio Times, Sethu countered criticism with,

"There’s been a couple of Doctor Woke [references] or whatever, but I just think we’re doing the right thing if we’re getting comments like that."

She went on,

"Woke just means inclusive, progressive and that you care about people. And, as far as I know, the core of Doctor Who is kindness, love and doing the right thing."

Her words seem to suggest that diversity and inclusion are not something that they would see as making political comments in places that don't call for them but rather as the way things were developing naturally through the story.

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What does "woke" mean with regard to Doctor Who?

The "woke" term has been a major point of contention in media discussions. In Doctor Who, critics apply it to characterize the program's focus on inclusivity and diversity. Having both the Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, and the companion, played by Varada Sethu, of people of color has been an area of debate about casting.

Some longtime supporters maintain that these changes take attention away from the conventional narrative; others see it as a natural sign of an evolving society. Doctor Who has never been a show unwilling to change. From its original 1960s beginning up to its present-day revivals, it has always embraced change.

Past Doctors have tackled subjects relevant to the time they appear in, and most people take the view that this current evolution is just an extension of the same tradition.

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Varada Sethu's perception of the criticism

Sethu is not bothered by the negative reviews, viewing it as a sign that the series is progressing. As per Radio Times, she discussed an interview with co-actor Ncuti Gatwa, where he said,

"Look at us. We get to be in the Tardis. We’re going to p*** off so many people."

The implication is that the actors acknowledge the scandal but see their appearances as a good indication of diversity.

For Sethu, being part of Doctor Who is not just about representation—it's about being a part of leaving behind something that has always demanded exploration, understanding, and acceptance. She believes that diversity in casting is enriching because it brings fresh ideas and experiences.

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The history of inclusivity in Doctor Who

Doctor Who has never been a show that is static. It has had to shift to accommodate changing social narratives over the years by introducing diverse characters and storylines. The show's exploration, empathy, and understanding themes align with inclusivity.

While some view this as going against the norm, others feel it remains consistent with the show's nature—previous incarnations of Doctor Who have also undergone radical changes. Jodie Whittaker was appointed as the female Doctor in 2017, bringing controversy about where the show would go, as with its predecessors.

Adding on companions whose demographics were not typical to be included, such as Martha Jones, played by Freema Agyeman, and Yasmin Khan, played by Mandip Gill, also exhibits the show's ongoing aspiration towards inclusivity.

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Doctor Who Season 15 continues to make headlines about how it tells its stories and diversity. Varada Sethu and the rest of the cast embrace the show's direction, viewing any backlash as an acknowledgment of improvement. As the season continues, the way that it changes old fans and new ones will determine how it will mark its place in history.

With such differing opinions regarding the "woke" debate, though, Doctor Who's initial agenda of adventure, exploration, and inclusivity remains intact.

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