Doctor Who is a British sci-fi TV series that premiered in 1963 and is currently one of the longest-running television shows in history. It follows the adventures of “The Doctor”, an alien time-lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels through time and space in his spaceship, the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space), which he disguises as a blue British police box.
He is always accompanied by his trusty companion or companions (usually from Earth), eager to take them on wild and exotic adventures in different planets, eras, centuries, and galaxies far away. To keep the series going and justify the recast of its main character, The Doctor goes through a process known as “regeneration”, which gives him a new personality and overall appearance while still retaining the memories of his past reincarnations. The original series ran from 1963-1989, taking a hiatus and releasing a movie in 1996.
The series was rebooted in 2005 and was well-received by critics and loyal fans alike, and is credited for re-sparking interest in audiences, and bringing in new and younger audiences to its fanbase. This reboot starred Christopher Eccleston as the ninth reincarnation of the Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, his new traveling companion. This new depiction of Doctor Who took various elements and characters from what is now called “Classic Who” and brought them into the 21st century while also introducing contemporary themes such as sexuality to family-friendly audiences.
One of the most notable aspects of what is referred to by fans as the “New Who” reboot is the introduction and exploration of diverse and richly written characters and the exploration of their relationships on-screen. We can see clear examples of this in recurring characters and companions like Clara and Jack.
Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) is a flirtatious and tenacious time traveler from the 51st century who first appeared in the 9th episode, “The Empty Child.”
He has been depicted as liking both men and women, and his bisexuality is an integral part of his character and development within the Who universe. His fluid sexuality is not depicted as one-dimensional. Instead, his relationships are always natural and genuine, making him one of the most prominent bi characters in the series and its spinoffs as well — as John would go on to portray Jack in the series Torchwood.
Within the first few seconds of the audience meeting Jack, we are well aware of his sexuality and openness, which contrasts his 1940s war surroundings. His first line in the show is “Excellent bottom!” which he comments while he is looking at Rose hanging from a blimp. While Jack is looking through binoculars, his friend and fellow soldier mistake the comment as directed at him, replying with, “I say, old man, there’s a time and place,” with a smile on his face. Jack realizes the misunderstanding and says, “I gotta go meet a girl. But you got an excellent bottom, too!” and slaps his butt playfully before exiting to find Rose.
Throughout the rest of the season, he continues to be portrayed as confident, suave, and above all, flirtatious. One of the most significant moments in Jack’s character arc happens in the season finale, “The Parting of the Ways”, where he sacrifices himself to save both the Doctor and Rose from the Daleks, only for him to be resurrected by the power of the TARDIS. This event gives way to explain his immortality and further events that are later explored in Torchwood.
When asked about Captain Jack’s sexuality at a DC Panel during San Diego Comic-Con in 2016, John commented:
We didn’t really make an issue out of his sexuality… because we don’t make a big issue out of [our] sexuality and it’s the norm for us. The beauty about Russell, the show’s producer and writer, is taking who I am and also putting it into the character… And I’m unapologetic about who I am, as everyone should be.
It kind of grew and happened and changed over time because people realized what we were doing… It was something that was being represented on television that hadn’t been represented in that [kind of] way before. We wanted young people growing up and knowing who they were and didn’t have any role models or people to look at to see themselves…When you create a character, in this case Jack, ok he likes girls AND boys, great! And it’s normal, and it opens it up to everybody, and it’s not looked down upon.
Just as Jack’s bisexuality is portrayed as completely normal, other companions such as Clara Oswald in season 7, Adric and Bliss in “Classic Who”, and River Song, the Doctor’s wife, who has also been married to several women in other timelines.
When we are first introduced to Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) in the first episode of season seven. “Asylum of the Daleks”, just as the 11th reincarnation of the Doctor is trying to escape the planet with companions Amy and Rory. While trying to make conversation as she’s hacking into the security mainframe to help Rory, she mentions:
The first boy I ever fancied was called Rory… actually, her name was Nina.
The premise of her character is rather convoluted, hence her nickname, “The Impossible Girl”. Clara is known for her resilience, intelligence, and devotion to saving the Doctor when he is in danger. Her story arc spans multiple seasons, each uncovering her impossible existence across various points in time. After her introduction as a variant of her essence in “Asylum of the Daleks”, we are thrust into her life’s mystery — as she turns out to be a figure scattered across time and space, appearing through time as different versions of herself.
Episodes “The Snowmen” and “The Bells of St. John” further enrich her back story, presenting her as a governess in Victorian-era London, fragmenting her existence and further intriguing the Doctor, sparking his quest to discover her true identity.
Although her essence was split through time and she lived in different eras simultaneously, it has been mentioned that she had relationships with both men and women — including her fiancé Danny, Jane Austen, and Viking Ashildr (Maisie Wiliams).
Clara was officially confirmed bisexual in issue 591 of Doctor Who Magazine, with the creators stating:
Compared to her relationship with causality, Clara’s sexuality is quite straightforward. She’s bisexual. She likes girls and boys… Primary Clara first alluded to her attraction to women in one small throwaway line – but perhaps it’s not quite as inconsequential as it first appears.
clara oswald was confirmed bisexual in doctor who magazine pic.twitter.com/doUBMUG3Tr
— for bisexuals (@_forbisexuals) May 25, 2023
In addition to its cultural impact, Doctor Who continues to captivate and inspire audiences with its storytelling and the ability to tackle complex themes head-on. As the series adapts to modern times, its legacy as a groundbreaking show continues to be as strong as ever, especially with those who see themselves represented on screen through these characters. The show has embraced all aspects of the human condition, bringing a human touch to this wild science-fiction universe.