However, new showrunner Russell T Davies has addressed the anomaly, revealing that he was “absolutely certain that the clothes would regenerate” with Tennant’s return.
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Speaking to Doctor Who magazine, Davies said: “I was very sure I didn’t want David to appear in Jodie’s outfit. I think the notion of men dressed in ‘women’s clothes’, the notion of drag, is very delicate. I’m a big fan of this culture and its dignity, it’s really a valuable thing.
“But it has to be done with immense thought and respect. As far as Jodie and her doctor are concerned, I think it might come across as mockery when a straight man wears their clothes. Put a big six-foot Scotsman in looks like we do. you take the mickey.”
He added that he was worried that a scene in which Tennant’s Doctor was wearing Thirteen’s suit would be printed in the papers “for the rest of the time”.
“If they can play with the genre in a sarcastic or critical way, they will,” he added. “We could have the Doctor dressed as a knight, or dressed as God, or dressed as William Hartnell, and the only picture they’d print would be of David in what they thought were women’s clothes.”
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The incoming showrunner feared the moment would be “weaponized” and used to poke fun at female traits and drag culture.
Tennant will appear as her doctor in next year’s 60th birthday celebrations before Ncuti Gatwa takes over the role, with Catherine Tate also reprising her role as Donna.
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