The sci-fi show Doctor Who, streaming exclusively on Disney+, aired its lead character’s first gay kiss soon after Disney CEO Bob Iger assured investors that the company would reduce its extreme woke messaging. In this latest season, Ncuti Gatwa, the gay actor portraying The Doctor, shares a kiss with guest star Jonathan Groff (Glee, Mindhunter).
In episode seven of the 2024 season, titled “Rogue,” The Doctor arrives in Bath, England, in 1813 to chase shape-shifting aliens named the Chuldur. During this adventure, The Doctor meets a space bounty hunter, “Rogue” (Groff), and they develop a romantic connection. Their flirtation begins with a misunderstanding but soon evolves into a partnership to combat the Chuldur. Rogue reveals his tragic past, losing a male lover, adding depth to his character. The episode culminates in their kiss and a ballroom dance, shocking the aristocrats of 1813 Britain, and ends with Rogue sacrificing himself to save The Doctor’s companion Ruby, hinting at a possible return.
Russell T. Davies, the openly gay showrunner and creator of Showtime’s Queer as Folk, had promised to incorporate such storylines. While The Doctor has had romantic interactions with women in the past, this marks the first same-sex dalliance. Previously, Captain Jack Harkness, an openly gay character introduced in 2005, shared a goodbye kiss with The Doctor.
Despite Iger’s pledge to dial back on wokeism, Disney continues to push progressive narratives. For instance, Disney’s new series The Acolyte has been praised as the “gayest Star Wars yet,” featuring characters played by “non-binary” actress Amandla Stenberg, conceived by two mothers in a coven of witches.
Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy remains defiant, refusing to alter course despite declining Star Wars and Indiana Jonesbrands. She recently criticized the franchise’s “male-dominated” fans, insisting on inclusive storytelling. Showrunner Leslye Headland echoed this sentiment, dismissing fan complaints as “bigotry, racism, or hate speech” and disqualifying such individuals from being true fans.
