Doctor Who Star Ncuti Gatwa Denounced U.K. Politicians for “Openly Attacking” Trans People

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Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa called out the U.K. government’s racism and transphobia in a new interview, accusing politicians of “openly attacking marginalized communities” to achieve their own goals.

In a new cover interview for the U.K. LGBTQ+ magazine Attitude, Gatwa spoke enthusiastically about Doctor Who’s cultural relevance, describing the titular Doctor as a person who is “constantly fighting for every life,” including those of his enemies, and is driven by “mercy and compassion.” Many could learn from the Doctor’s example — including numerous U.K. politicians, whom Gatwa condemned for scapegoating immigrants and LGBTQ+ people for political gain.

“Everything trickles down from the top, and when you see politicians openly attacking marginalized communities, when you see our politicians openly attacking trans people, it makes it OK for everyone else,” Gatwa told the magazine.

“People who are the most vulnerable, the most disenfranchised, most disconnected from everyone else, are being told that they are the threats,” Gatwa added. “It’s sick because it’s a hiding-away of your own ineptitude [...] You’re going to put the blame on immigrants, Black and brown people, trans people, queer people, to hide the fact that you are not doing anything for people? It’s easier to just create discord amongst people. It’s divide and conquer, isn’t it?”

Gatwa’s remarks about bigotry coming “down from the top” of the political world jabbed directly at the U.K.’s Conservative Party, otherwise known as the Tories, who have controlled the country’s Parliament and executive branch since 2019. Conservative leaders have repeatedly come under fire for using immigration issues to stoke racism and xenophobia among white voters, and have adopted increasingly anti-trans rhetoric as well. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rejected the concept of trans identity entirely during an extended anti-trans speech to his fellow Tories last October, a few weeks before he and right-wing members of Parliament delayed a national ban on conversion therapy due to objections that such a ban would also prohibit the practice for trans people.

The U.K. itself has become colloquially known as “TERF Island” due to the prominence of anti-trans campaigners like J.K. Rowling, as well as notable anti-trans bias from Conservative politicians and British national media. Earlier this month, LGBTQ+ advocates swiftly condemned a new report funded by the U.K.’s National Health Service, which allegedly used faulty analysis to cast doubt on gender-affirming medical care for trans youth. Despite the outcry, the left-of-center Labour Party said last week that it would support implementing the review’s recommendations. LGBTQ+ advocates have accused opponents of creating an environment in the U.K. where anti-trans violence is more acceptable, linking those policies and rhetoric to the murder of Brianna Ghey last year and the brutal stabbing of another trans teen in February.

Starring Gatwa, Jinkx Monsoon, and Yasmin Finney, the Disney\+ installment features no shortage of queer talent.

Elsewhere in Attitude’s interview, Gatwa — breakout star of Sex Education and, lest we forget, one of the hottest Kens — discussed racist reactions to his announcement as the first Black incarnation of the Doctor, saying his haters “need to go find a hobby.” Gatwa also opened up about his personal journey of unlearning internalized homophobia, healing from being emotionally avoidant, and finding a new path toward self-love and acceptance.

“There’s so much white mediocrity that gets celebrated, and Black people, we have to be absolutely flawless to get half of [that] anyway,” Gatwa explained. “So, I’m slowly training myself out of that and being like, ‘No shit. You deserve love just for existing.’ And that has taught me to be a lot more loving as well, in a weird way.”

Doctor Who series 14 premieres on BBC One and Disney+ on May 11.

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