She is the Doctor Who

women, witches and scientists in The Witchfinders episode

Abstract

This article analyzes the representation of the first female protagonist in the Doctor Who series within the context of witch hunts, as depicted in the episode "The Witchfinders". Over its more than 50-year history, the series has been characterized by its longevity and the portrayal of various male actors in the lead role. However, in 2017, the first female Doctor was announced. This study aims to explore the significance of this change by introducing the first female lead character in a historical episode with a backdrop of witch hunts. The gender relations portrayed in "The Witchfinders" highlight the series' commitment to presenting the stories of both women and history. Through film analysis grounded in Cultural and Gender Studies, shifts in female representations are observed, leading to enhanced representativeness. Despite these advancements, the raised discussions and the outcome of the plot diverge from the main theme, as the character ends up being marginalized and, to some extent, subjugated in relation to male dominance. We reflect on the parallel treatment of witches and women as mythical and misunderstood beings, whose histories have been erased, akin to the alien entities in the episode. Therefore, despite some ruptures, the series misses the opportunity to delve deeper into the portrayal of the Doctor as a woman in a narrative centered on female oppression.