To be The Doctor in 19th century England surrounded by real-life Bridgerton? I want to be you! Doctor Who (2024) Season 1 Episode 6, “Rogue,” is atypical, and that’s saying a lot, given that this is Doctor Who.
The episode borrows from Netflix hit show Bridgerton, complete with all the court drama and romance that attracts otherworldly creatures who live for that.
Ruby Sunday even mentions Bridgerton, further confirming the inspiration behind the episode.
However, it is quite monumental because, for the first time, the current doctor overtly acts on his romantic desire for someone of the same sex.
Like Bridgerton, Doctor Who has been lacking in the queer department despite being on air for decades and both being created by gay men.
But with a show this old and popular, it is understandable why the BBC has wanted to appeal to the biggest demographic possible for many years.
The episode is pretty monumental because it features a very romantic gay kiss with gay actors and a black gay doctor.
To contextualize what a huge step this is, The Doctor reveals himself a timelord to Rogue (Jonathan Groff) while on Rogue’s ship. As the faces of past doctors swirl around him, one can’t help but notice how overwhelmingly white and male they have been.
Production tries to make this less evident by not using the real faces of the actors who have played The Doctor throughout the years, but it is noticeable.
‘Doctor Who’s Long Road to Being Gay
Ncuti Gatwa being cast as the first black gay doctor came with some ire from some fans, but such was the case when Jodie Whittaker was first cast as the first female doctor; twelve doctors had come before her.
Although the kiss was not the first gay kiss to be featured in the Doctor Who universe, it was unique.
Where Deadline gets wrong in saying that this was the first gay kiss, they could have been right if they went further and clarified that it is the first gay kiss in the flagship show.
Russel T. Davies had wanted to explore a gay doctor for a long time, but the powers that be would not allow him.
It seems pretty ridiculous that The Doctor has not always been canonically queer, given that he’s a shapeshifting alien, but that’s neither here nor there.
Davies tried to take an out by using Captain Jack Harkness in Torchwood, but they don’t have the same ring.
Even when they tried to make a gay Doctor Who show with the Greg Austin-led Class, the show didn’t catch on and was canceled after one season.
All this is to say that the Doctor and Rogue kissing might technically not be what some people would consider groundbreaking, but if you dive into the nuances, it is pretty groundbreaking.
To recap:
A gay kiss by gay actors, one of whom is the first black doctor in the flagship series — that’s pretty historic.
May a gay season of Bridgerton be next!