Yahoo News Doctor Who star says Bill helped LGBTQ fans come out
Pearl Mackie has discussed how her Doctor Who character Bill Potts has helped inspire the show's LGBTQ fans.
The actress was at the PinkNews Awards to accept the PinkNews Ally Award on the behalf of Doctor Who, and while she was there, Mackie said she was proud of the programme's commitment to LGBTQ representation.
"[The reaction has] genuinely been amazingly positive, especially going around the world and meeting people," she told PinkNews.
"I met a couple of young girls who were BAME, and [they] talked to me about how watching Bill on Doctor Who enabled them to come out and feel comfortable with their own sexuality. For me, that's a massive achievement.
"The thing that I liked most about Bill was that she wasn't grappling with her sexuality. She didn't need to come out – it wasn't an issue!
"It was always just about, I'm gay and happy and this is who I am. This is who I like, and this is who I'm in love with."
Mackie will appear as the Doctor's companion once more during this year's Christmas special 'Twice Upon a Time', which is also Peter Capaldi's final appearance before handing the reins to Jodie Whittaker.
Following the announcement of her departure, she has joined the cast of The Birthday Party, which will debut on the West End in January 2018.
Whittaker's first series as the Doctor is said to feature fewer but longer episodes.
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