With Doctor Who\u2019s<\/a> new episode Rogue<\/a> comes a new character who feels like he could be part of the Whoniverse for the long haul \u2013 Jonathan Groff\u2019s<\/a> Rogue.<\/p>\n The alien bounty hunter rocks up in Rogue on a balcony, looking suspicious and smouldering enough for the Doctor to want to investigate.<\/p>\n What started as a clash between the two turns into escalating chemistry, with the pair of them causing a scandal on the dance floor and Rogue fake proposing, as well as an almost-kiss moment. Other shows would have left it there, reasoning that the clear\u00a0tension<\/em> between the pair is enough.<\/p>\n To state the obvious, it\u2019s not. And, thankfully, writers Kate Herron and Briony Redman<\/a> knew that, penning a romantic, world-stopping kiss for the Doctor and Rogue.<\/p>\n Not only that, they teased a return for him in a big way, with Rogue telling the Doctor: \u201cFind me,\u201d and leaving the Doctor with his ring to signal that this relationship could be ongoing in the Whoniverse.<\/p>\n Of course, Doctor Who has always been progressive when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation<\/a> \u2013 more subtly in the first seasons of the show, and then more clearly in recent years.<\/p>\n From John Barrowman\u2019s Captain Jack Harkness to Neve McIntosh\u2019s Madame Vastra and Catrin Stewart\u2019s Jenny Flint, there have been plenty of queer companions, and the Doctor\u2019s own sexuality has been referenced plenty of times, even as recently as Dot and Bubble<\/a>, which saw both the Doctor and Ruby (Millie Gibson) fawning over musician Ricky September (Tom Rhys Harries).<\/p>\n Before Gatwa took on the role of the Doctor, companion Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) admitted her feelings for Jodie Whittaker\u2019s Doctor \u2013 although many fans were left disappointed at the lack of this being explored more clearly, for instance, the pair sharing a kiss. Then-showrunner Chibnall has since said that it was down to it being an unrequited love story<\/a> and that it \u201cfelt more heart-wrenching\u201d for the pair to leave things as they did.<\/p>\n But often with LGBTQ+ representation, it all comes down to visibility. Because, inevitably, in the year of our lord 2024, there are still going to be people who have a problem with the Doctor being gay. But, on the other side of that, there are going to be queer people \u2013 young and old \u2013 who see the Doctor, the very definition of a hero, kissing another man and who, because of that scene, will feel more comfortable in their sexuality. That can only happen because the episode didn\u2019t shy away from it.<\/p>\n It seems like a very simple thing, and it probably is. It shouldn\u2019t be groundbreaking \u2013 the first kiss between two gay characters on British TV was all the way back in 1989 in an episode of EastEnders. But its impact still can\u2019t be underestimated. Some things have definitely improved for LGBTQ+ people since that kiss in EastEnders \u2013 but some haven\u2019t. It\u2019s still illegal to be gay in many countries, and there are still frequent attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p> So even all these years after the first gay kiss on British TV, Doctor Who\u2019s LGBTQ+ representation still feels refreshing and important. As showrunner Russell T Davies has previously said, it\u2019s just true to life. He told RadioTimes.com<\/a>: \u201cI kind of [am] rather bemused when people say you\u2019re representing things now, because I think that\u2019s just people I live with, and know and love.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it\u2019s very normal to me, I don\u2019t know any other way to make things. And some people might come along and make a fuss about that. But I\u2019ve moved on by then, so I don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n Davies added: \u201cBut I think it\u2019s a great thing to see. I think Doctor Who\u2019s a great big open door for everyone to come and see. Even if you\u2019re straight as a nail, come and watch because there\u2019s lots in this for you.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Ncuti](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/479364-a27cd36.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413\" "\\"Ncuti")
\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/479357-3df5e2d.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413\" "\\"Jonathan")
\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>