DOCTOR WHO: BBC Responds To Anti-Trans Complaints As First Spin-Off May Have Finally Been Revealed

DOCTOR WHO: BBC Responds To Anti-Trans Complaints As First Spin-Off May Have Finally Been Revealed

Following complaints about a trans character in one of Doctor Who's Christmas Specials, the BBC has now responded. We also have news on one of Russell T Davies' planned spin-offs. Read on for details...

By JoshWilding - Jan 05, 2024 06:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Doctor Who
Source: SFFGazette.com

We've been hearing chatter about one or more Doctor Who spin-offs for several months now. Some believe it will focus on U.N.I.T., while others remain convinced that David Tennant's still very much alive Fourteenth Doctor will take centre stage in his own time-travel adventures. 

The main series returns in May and Disney+'s financial involvement is likely a key factor to any spin-off plans. However, seeing as returning showrunner Russell T Davies launched Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures during his last run, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised to see the Whoniverse once again expanding!

What we didn't expect was for this rumoured project to put the spotlight on the Sea Devils. 

This news comes our way from a listing on ProductionList.com (via SFFGazette.com) which suggests the series will be helmed by showrunner Phil Collinson and producers Julie Gardner, Jane Tranter, and Vic Delow. Shooting, meanwhile, is reportedly going to begin this March in Cardiff, Wales. 

The Sea Devils are a race of aquatic reptilian creatures that first appeared in "The Sea Devils" episode which aired in 1972. That was part of the Jon Pertwee era, during the Third Doctor's tenure.

The Sea Devils are related to another Doctor Who monster, the Silurians, who are an ancient and technologically advanced race that predates humanity. Like the Silurians, the Sea Devils are Earth-based creatures that went into hibernation to survive changes in the planet's climate. They were last seen in 2022's "Legend of the Sea Devils," though that received largely negative reviews and was the show's lowest-viewed episode. 

As a result, we'd bet on this being a misdirect to throw fans off the scent!

In related Doctor Who news, the BBC has finally responded to recent complaints from viewers about the inclusion of a transgender character, played by Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney, in "The Star Beast" 60th anniversary special. 

According to Deadline, the broadcaster has issued a response which reads, "As regular viewers of Doctor Who will be aware, the show has and will always continue to proudly celebrate diversity and reflect the world we live in. We are always mindful of the content within our episodes."

In other words, just like Davies, they're not going to pay attention to those who found fault with the Doctor Who franchise simply for embracing diversity. A recent trailer for the next season confirmed Finney's Rose Noble will return in the next series alongside Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor, so we'll no doubt see more complaining then. 

Which characters would you like to see in a Doctor Who spin-off? Let us know in the comments section.

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Tasmaniac
Tasmaniac - 1/5/2024, 6:50 AM
“simply embracing diversity”

More like gave diversity a reach-around and then accused anyone who didn’t applaud like a seal of being a phobe of some description or another.
Metan
Metan - 1/5/2024, 8:04 AM
@Tasmaniac - As someone who stands in solidarity with trans people, I thought multiple lines in the episode were heavy handed too. Felt like they'd been written by an old man trying unsuccessfully to be hip with younger LGBTQIA+ people.

But, let's not spin things out of context. This response by the BBC and Josh's comment that you've quoted aren't towards people who didn't love the episode for a variety of valid reasons. They're in response to the 144+ silly complaints written to the BBC over the trans character being "inappropriate". I haven't seen anyone who didn't like the episode being called a phobe personally, though your experience may differ.

See this earlier article about the complaints: https://comicbookmovie.com/tv/bbc-america/doctor-who/doctor-who-bbc-received-over-100-complaints-for-inappropriate-transgender-character-in-the-star-beast-a208241
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 1/5/2024, 9:36 AM
@Metan - TBF RTD tends to do phuck em type response when asked directly about folk having a specific issue with things but he has always been like that and clearly directed specificaly at those specific small groups and never clumping all who don't like an episode or have a fair critique together as part of that small group who zero in specificaly on stuff like having a trans character or showing Davros not in a wheelchair during a genesis of the Daleks short for children in need.
MikeyL
MikeyL - 1/5/2024, 6:51 AM
As part of the LGBTQAI+ community, I’m ALL for representation. But holy [frick] was they first episode of the specials heavy handed. I watched it alongside a group of all community members and everyone of us was like “… that was a LOT”
DevilsDreams
DevilsDreams - 1/5/2024, 7:27 AM
@MikeyL - I'm kinda glad that those in the community see it that way too.

Whilst I know some people out there will just troll for trolling's sake, I think a majority of the criticism I've seen is over the heavy handedness of it! For it to be "normalised" it needs to appear "normal".
I think it's one thing I felt Star Trek Discovery did well, was that the same sex relationship was almost a background aspect, I was watching a scene when the science guy and the doctor (I can't remember their names) were talking and it was just like "oh their a couple... cool", rather than the "LOOK AT THIS" style which often just ends up feeling forced and ingenuine.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/5/2024, 7:49 AM
@MikeyL - Is the LGBTQAI+ community different from the LGBTQIA+ community? Is that more like the ChatGPT AI+ community, but for sexual preference? I think maybe my sexual preference is for computers. They certainly make me come more than humans these days, I'll tell you that for nothing.

TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 1/5/2024, 8:22 AM
@ObserverIO - I have no idea, but years ago i had an LGHDTV that I used to watch QVC in HD.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/5/2024, 8:39 AM
@TheFinestSmack - Coincidentally, that has also made me come. I love an unbeatable bargain.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/5/2024, 8:40 AM
Down to only $400???! GGGGgggg......aaahhhhhhhhhh....
MG0019
MG0019 - 1/5/2024, 5:23 PM
@ObserverIO - I for one only feel represented by, and can only watch shows, that explicitly state they support the HEKXPBET+q community. If the writing shows dog whistle support for the HEKXPBETl community, they are obviously heathen Nazi fear mongers who hate everyone.
Spike101
Spike101 - 1/5/2024, 7:23 AM
So sad that they choose to use such a historic and loved series as a vessel for this ridiculous nonsense. Can’t they leave anything alone?
Origame
Origame - 1/5/2024, 7:31 AM
Yes, truly people just can't handle trans characters when they have issues with lines like "something a male presenting time lord wouldn't understand" 🙄
Metan
Metan - 1/5/2024, 8:17 AM
@Origame - I thought that line and some others were eye-roll inducing too. But this response by the BBC and Josh's commentary aren't in regards to people who just had problems with lines like that and didn't love the episode for a variety of reasons. They're in response to the 144+ complaints messaged directly to the BBC over the inclusion of a trans character being in their view "inappropriate". Just the typical pearl clutching over nothing.

See this earlier article about the complaints: https://comicbookmovie.com/tv/bbc-america/doctor-who/doctor-who-bbc-received-over-100-complaints-for-inappropriate-transgender-character-in-the-star-beast-a208241
Origame
Origame - 1/5/2024, 8:25 AM
@Metan - based on this article, it's about how she was included. Not that she was trans to begin with. They even mention things like "anti male", which goes along the lines of the line I mentioned.

This is the problem with woke. They equate the problems people actually have with just not liking whatever group they included.
Metan
Metan - 1/5/2024, 8:46 AM
@Origame - Whether or not you think the article is clearly written or not, according to the original Deadline report, 'The BBC received more than 100 complaints from Doctor Who viewers who argued argued that the inclusion of Yasmin Finney‘s transgender character Rose was “inappropriate.” The corporation has revealed it had 144 messages from disgruntled viewers in its fortnightly report on audience complaints. Some said Heartstopper star Finney’s character was “anti-male,” while others said it was an “inappropriate inclusion of [a] transgender character.”'

The BBC has also been very clear about which complaints it is responding to. Here's a link to the BBC complaints response page about this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaint/doctorwhotransgender

The BBC summary of complaints reads: 'WE HAVE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM VIEWERS WHO OBJECT TO THE INCLUSION OF A TRANSGENDER CHARACTER IN THE PROGRAMME and from others who feel there are too few transgender people represented.'

Pretty simple. The complaints the BBC received about the episode were largely to do with the very fact a trans character was included, not how she was included. As well as from people on the other end of the issue who think the BBC doesn't go far enough.
DevilsDreams
DevilsDreams - 1/5/2024, 9:34 AM
@Origame - That was an awful and cringe filled line...
marvel72
marvel72 - 1/5/2024, 9:56 AM
@Origame - The Doctor should have replied "If a male can't understand than you shouldn't either."
Origame
Origame - 1/5/2024, 9:57 AM
@Metan - there were 2 complaints listed. One said she was anti male, which I referred to, and the other specifically said it was an inappropriate use of a trans character. This implies there is an appropriate use of a trans character. So based on what's presented, it's how the trans character was depicted that's the problem, not just that they are trans.
Origame
Origame - 1/5/2024, 9:57 AM
@marvel72 - "I was literally a woman for years until today. What don't I understand?"
mountainman
mountainman - 1/5/2024, 7:32 AM
Never been a Dr Who fan, but the ones I do know are as disappointed in the output in recent years as Marvel and Star Wars fans are. Pretty crazy how all the popular IPs can be destroyed at the same time. There’s no way it’s because of a mind virus that was infected far too many people and it’s just a coincidence?
elcapitan
elcapitan - 1/5/2024, 9:15 AM
@mountainman - you’re right, it’s not a mind virus. It’s from a fickle general audience that makes judgements about a given work before even seeing it. How many comments have you read on this site that call films trash before they’re even shot? I’m sorry but this whole thread is just ridiculous. If incorporating a trans character in your beloved show ruins it for you then too bad. That’s just sad.
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