Doctor Who: 10 Crazy Internet Reactions To The 13th Doctor

The Doctor has always been a very different kind of hero. In sharp contrast to the gun slinging action man of countless movies and video games, the Doctor’s default position is one of non-violence. He also models other skills that society hardly encourages in men – emotional intelligence, acceptance of the outsider, openness to change, the recognition of beauty without lust, and preferring the journey over the arrival. But above all the Doctor stands for kindness, acting a certain way not in order to win but because it’s the right thing to do.

But changing the gender of the Doctor doesn’t necessarily remove that influential role. If girls could see a male Doctor as a role model to aspire too, then boys ought to be able to do the same with a female Doctor.

Those worried about the loss of a positive male role model might also want to wait until we know who will be joining the new Doctor. One of the strengths of Doctor Who in recent years has been the positive portrayal of female companions, but the male companions haven’t fared so well. Mickey, Rory and Danny have all been defined in terms of their relationship to Rose, Amy and Clara respectively, with the Doctor as their love rival - at least in their own minds.

In the early days of Doctor Who the audience identification figures were always the companions and not so much the Doctor. A male companion, if that is to happen, has the potential to be as big a role model as the Doctor herself.