*Warning: this contains spoilers for Doctor Who The Star Beast.*
fans have heaped praise on the first for representing the LGBTQ+ community.
The story reunited  and Catherine Tate  and Donna Noble respectively, as well as introducing new cast members including Yasmin Finney, who played Donna’s daughter Rose, and .
Viewers singled out several heartwarming scenes featuring non-binary characters, which they said offered representation that battles against ‘a time of such hatred from both the government and larger society’.
In one memorable moment, the Time Lord meets Meep and is corrected when they automatically assume the extraterrestrial’s pronouns, who promptly informs the Doctor that they just use the definite article, the Meep.
Later on in the episode, the Doctor reveals their gender identity, saying they are ‘Male and female. And neither. And more.’
BBC fans were thrilled with the scenes, with one writing on social media: ‘Not me in tears as RTD eviscerates the concept of binary gender. That was amazing! #DoctorWho is back and I couldn’t be happier.’
‘Okay that Doctor Who, slay. The non-binary representation on BBC on was so wonderful to see in a time of such hatred from both the government and larger society towards the LGBTQIA+ community! Thank you #DoctorWho,’ another added.
A third said: ‘Big fan. No notes. 10/10.’
Some suggested, including , that right-wing terfs would take issue with the narrative, while one X user anticipated a ‘meltdown’ from those quarters.
Fortunately, showrunner Russell T Davies has already addressed the inevitable trolls, saying that he knew there were some people ‘full of absolute hate, and venom, and destruction and violence who would like to see that sort of thing wiped off the screen entirely’.
And to anyone who held those ideals, he declared at a press event before the episode’s release: ‘Shame on you and good luck to you in your lonely lives.’
Saturday’s The Star Beast is the first of three special episodes, marking the 60th anniversary.
It will be followed by Wild Blue Yonder on December 2 and The Giggle on December 9.
Sex Education and Barbie star Ncuti Gatwa will then take over the role of the Doctor over the festive period as he becomes the 15th Doctor.
Doctor Who The Star Beast is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
