PETA urges Doctor Who producer to make Jodie Whittaker’s character vegan

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Joining the chorus of individuals who'd like to put in requests for the upcoming season of the BBC's Doctor Who, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment to Animals), an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, want the producers of the show to make their newest Doctor vegan.

In the wake of ATTACK THE BLOCK actress Jodie Whittaker being selected to assume the role of the legendary program's 13th Doctor, PETA U.K. has sent a letter to showrunner Chris Chibnall asking that those in charge make the character vegan. PETA's reasoning for this is that the group believes, "Eating dead animals simply doesn't fit with the Doctor's moral compass since … the show has 'the central message of love for life in all its forms,'" writes PETA U.K. Director Elisa Allen.

As the letter continues on, PETA also notes that, "in the meat, egg, and dairy industries, smart and sensitive animals are crammed into windowless sheds, torn away from their mothers, mutilated, and sent to an early death—and many are slaughtered while they're still conscious. The group also notes that vegan eating has been shown to help reduce the risk of suffering from cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, writing that "[c]onsidering all the benefits that eating vegan has for a person's heart, it'd be doubly beneficial for the Doctor!"

I've got a few thoughts about this. For starters, PETA, how do you know that this generation of The Doctor isn't vegan already? Second, this certainly would be a change for the character, particularly when you consider that The Doctor has always indulged in all manner of cuisine, throughout the years. As an example, the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, ate fistfuls of Jelly Babies. The eleventh Doctor, as played by Matt Smith, greatly enjoyed eating fish fingers and custard. None of these foods are vegan, and yet, The Doctor is still a good person – even if the Doctor lies. 

The fact of the matter is that, at this point in time, we know very little concerning Jodie Whitaker's Doctor Who. Moreover, the universe is the limit in terms of how she will define herself as the first female Doctor. Every generation of Doctors come with their own unique personality quirks, and if being vegan turns out to be one of those, so be it. If I'm being completely honest though, at the end of a very harrowing, time-manipulating adventure, I'm not sure that many people will be concerned with what is or isn't on the Doctor's menu as a post-apocalyptic snack.

Jodie Whittaker will assume the role of Doctor Who come this Christmas when the episode "Twice Upon A Time" debuts on the BBC Network on December 25th.