In a conversation with Polygon, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies discussed opting away from giving the Fifteenth Doctor a consistent outfit—or accessory, like, say, a bowtie or a distinctively striped scarf—like previous Doctors have worn.
With the stylish Ncuti Gatwa now starring as the Doctor, Davies wanted to allow more room for different looks. “I do love opening the door for cosplayers,” Davies shared with Polygon. “In one episode in the first season [the Fifteenth Doctor] set out of the TARDIS in a pair of jeans and a duffle coat. And at the [finale], he was in a pair of Levi’s and a black leather jacket. And that means almost anyone can cosplay.”
But given the Time Lord’s travels, not every week involves an outfit built around jeans. The Doctor Who costume department definitely had fun with last season’s Bridgerton-era riff, “Rogue,” and there’s of course all the sci-fi looks which are embellished by the costumers to fit the themes while still making them suit Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor.
All the variety has undoubtedly inspired cosplayers to run wild, which excites Davies. “If it’s your hobby, then that’s money well spent. […] But there’s also going to be that casual cosplayer, that kid who fancies being Doctor Who today. And that means now they can put on a pair of jeans and a duffle coat, run out the door or in the middle of the rain, and say, ‘I’m the Doctor.’ And I like that.”
Davies continued. “It democratizes it, it means no one has ownership. It means you can put on any costume and say, ‘I’m the Doctor today,’ because that’s what he’d do.”
Doctor Who is now airing weekly on Disney+ and BBC One.
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