'Doctor Who' Series 12 Episode 5: First-ever black Doctor Jo Martin is a massive hit with the fans of the show

While the response from the fans seems to be mostly positive, Martin's introduction has made the Doctor's history far more confusing because it's still not clear whether she's from the past or future of the Thirteenth Doctor
PUBLISHED JAN 27, 2020
Jo Martin in Doctor Who (BBC America)
Jo Martin in Doctor Who (BBC America)

This article contains spoilers for 'Doctor Who' Series 12 Episode 5 'Fugitive of the Judoon'.

'Doctor Who' just made history by introducing Jo Martin ('Back to Life') as the very first black Doctor. Martin's introduction has been welcomed by fans of the show with a number of Whovians taking to Twitter to discuss the historic moment. 

"I like Jo Martin as The Doctor," one fan tweeted. "Somewhere out there are t-shirt companies trying to figure out what the heck they’re gonna do now."

Another fan tweeted a letter to the BBC, writing: "Dear @BBC: Cast Jo Martin as the next @bbcdoctorwho. I don't care if she is right now a 'prior, forgotten version'. You outright said in the 50 yr anniversary that the Doctor would 'revisit old faces'. You have an explanation in place. She's phenomenal." 

While the response from the fans seems to be mostly positive, Martin's introduction has made the Doctor's history far more confusing because it's still not clear whether she's from the past or future of the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker). One fan wrote, "Maybe the explanation for Doctor Jo is related to how the Master is back after we saw Missy die without regeneration, or what Master said that everything they were told is a lie re: Time Lord's."

Yet another fan tweeted, "Jo Martin as the Doctor!! Which incarnation exactly remains to be seen, and if she's even a canonical Doctor at all. All we know is she's the first black Doctor and in mere minutes she has OWNED the part!"

"So Jo Martin's Doctor has the TARDIS, but it's still the broken Chameleon Circuit version," another fan wrote. "Which is how it was when stolen by the 1st Doctor. It will be interesting to see how this plays out."

As of now, 'Doctor Who' has introduced two female Doctors one of whom is black. At least some of the fans are hoping this could mean we could finally hope to see a Doctor with ginger hair as well.

"Okay, so it’s badass that we have a woman of color taking control of the TARDIS, two things that we’ve really needed in the series, but we still don’t have a ginger Doctor," a fan tweeted. "C’mon BBC, throw our favorite timelord a bone."

'Doctor Who' Series 12 Episode 6 'Praxeus' will air exclusively on BBC America on February 2.

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