There are a lot of changes coming to "Doctor Who" in the upcoming season, one of which is that the show will introduce its first ever openly gay companion. Actress Pearl Mackie recently teased that her character, Bill Potts, will reveal her sexuality after meeting Peter Capaldi's Doctor.
Throughout the show's 52-year history, "Doctor Who" has presented different companions with different personalities, but this is the first time the show will have an openly gay companion. Speaking about the role, Mackie doesn't find the matter such as big deal, considering it's already the 21st century and it's time the media should embrace gay characters.
"That representation is important, especially on a mainstream show," The Sun quoted Mackie as saying. "It's important to say people are gay, people are black - there are also aliens in the world as well so watch out for them.
However, Mackie said that it is also important that her character is not defined by her sexuality. She said that it's "not the main thing that defines her character." Instead, being gay is something that is a part of the character.
Since joining the "Doctor Who" family, Mackie is seeing her popularity growing steadily. After she was confirmed to be the next companion, Mackie revealed that her Twitter follower count rose from 400-something to 16,500 in a matter of two hours.
"It's sort of like being welcomed into a family and all the fans have been really welcoming," the actress said about the warm welcome she received from fans.
Aside from having the show's first gay companion, "Doctor Who" Season 10 is going to be rather special for viewers also because it will be Capaldi's last outing as the Doctor.
The New York Times reported that Capaldi felt it was time "to move on to different things."
"I feel sad, I love 'Doctor Who,' it is a fantastic program to work on," Capaldi said. "But I don't know how long I can give it my best, and if I'm not giving it my best, I don't want to do it."
Capaldi is the show's 12th Doctor and has been on the show since 2013. There's no word yet as to who Capaldi's replacement would be, but among the bookmakers' favorites include "James Bond" star Ben Whishaw and "The IT Crowd" star Richard Ayoade.
"Doctor Who" Season 10 premieres on BBC on April 15.