‘Doctor Who’ Gets First Openly Gay Companion; Fans React on Twitter

“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,” says new series addition Pearl Mackie

doctor who peter capaldi pearl mackie

“Doctor Who” will go into its new season next month with its first openly gay companion to the Doctor.

In an interview with BBC published Friday, actress Pearl Mackie, who plays new companion Bill Potts, noted, “It shouldn’t be a big deal in the 21st Century. It’s about time isn’t it?”

While Potts’ sexuality won’t be the central characteristic of the character, Mackie said, the actress noted that it’s “important” to have that representation “on a mainstream show.”

“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,” the actress said. “[Being gay] is not the main thing that defines her character – it’s something that’s part of her and something that she’s very happy and very comfortable with.”

According to the BBC, Potts’ sexuality will be made clear in the character’s second line of dialogue.

Fans of the show reacted to the news on Twitter primarily with praise for the move.

“I just screamed “DOCTOR WHO WILL HAVE AN OPENLY GAY COMPANION” in Wizarding World Orlando and at least four people screamed back in joy,” went one representative tweet.

Read on for more reactions.

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