Episode 5 of Doctor Who Season 2 brought the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) back to Earth. This time, they land in Lagos, Nigeria, as the Doctor discovers that his favorite barbershop got caught in a celestial revenge plot. But despite the episode’s sci-fi elements, it also showcased Nigerian culture, which Ariyon Bakare praised following his Doctor Who debut.
Bakare played the mysterious barber in the latest episode, “The Story and the Engine.” In a recent interview with Radio Times, he praised the amount of Nigerian culture that the latest episode presented and how this type of presentation was a first for the series.
“And these are the stories that are unusual. We don’t see Doctor Who like this. I’ve not seen one that’s done in such a way – with so much culture in it, and yet, the culture is not so far away, which we’re always scared of. Actually, it’s so near to us – they’re just bedtime stories.”
The actor has also addressed the “woke” comments the show has received, where people complain about how the latest installments are being presented. According to him, Doctor Who is being presented in a forward-facing way, and it’s upsetting that people would rather go backward and have the show feature things that are completely fictional.
“It’s all about regeneration. It’s all about the future. We’re in a world in this present moment where we’re walking forward and we’ve done such great things, but we’re being told to look backwards to things that really are not our world.”
How ‘Doctor Who’ Showcases Various Cultures
Throughout the modern era of Doctor Who, the series has produced a mix of episodes that showcase Earth’s history and culture and mix alien/sci-fi adventure. At first, it featured various takes on British history, showcasing royal figures like Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth I. It then featured other notable people and historical events in Earth’s history, like the eruption of Pompeii and meeting Vincent van Gogh.
Recently, Doctor Who has showcased culture, history, and notable figures from cultures outside of Europe and told stories about people of color. Season 11 told the story of Rosa Parks and the events that led to the end of racial segregation on public transport in America. That same season featured a story about how Yasmin Khan’s (Mandip Gill) family history was tied to the Partition of India. Additionally, Doctor Who isn’t afraid to address racism and sexism throughout history and how it’s still an ongoing issue in the present day. The Doctor would sometimes have to remind companions that not everyone was friendly and accepting in the past. Meanwhile, the Time Lord would have to face that harsh treatment, especially during the Jodie Whittaker era and, lately, the Gatwa era as well.
Only time will tell if the show will feature more stories from cultures outside of Europe, especially those featuring people of color. The fact that there are episodes that present these vibrant cultures and ethnicities in the show proves how Doctor Who is taking steps to continue to showcase diversity and inclusion in this sci-fi series.
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Doctor Who
Release Date
December 25, 2023
Network
BBC
Directors
Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Richard Martin, Peter Moffatt, Pennant Roberts, Lennie Mayne, Chris Clough, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Gerald Blake, Graeme Harper, Waris Hussein, Rodney Bennett, Mervyn Pinfield, Hugh David, John Gorrie
Source: Radio Times
