'Doctor Who' Praised For Representation of Dyspraxia As Jodie Whittaker's First Episode Wins Rave Reviews

Her debut was also watched by a whopping 8.2 million.
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Jodie Whittaker’s ‘Doctor Who’ debut has received rave reviews, but for a lot of people, the show also impressed with the way it managed to deal with many complicated issues.

At the centre of the episode was one of the Doctor’s new companions, Ryan Sinclair, who talked about having dyspraxia.

BBC

The disorder affects hand-eye coordination and 16 per cent of the population currently live with it.

While dyspraxia is little-displayed on screen, many viewers praised how the disability was represented through Ryan, who is played by Tosin Cole.

Well #DoctorWho you absolutely rock. Particularly like the well considered portrayal of #dyspraxia
the frustration, self esteem and the strengths. Looking forward to how Ryan develops as a character. Jodie Whittaker is superb in confidence and presence.

— Becki Morris (@BecksM36) October 7, 2018

PROMINENT DYSPRAXIC CHARACTER IN PRIMETIME BBC SERIES! Actually feeling quite moved to see dyspraxia being acknowledged after 25 years trying to explain it to people.

— Peter Kirwan (@DrPeteKirwan) October 7, 2018

As a sufferer of #Dyspraxia , i would like to thank @TosinCole and the writers of #DoctorWho. Ryan's Dyspraxia was handled well and it feels good to see that finally get some recognition. and it was done respectfully and well. i cant wait to see how that representation continues.

— The Garnetto (@thegarnetto) October 7, 2018

Bloody loving the #dyspraxia references in #DoctorWhoPremiere — well done @BBC 😁🙏

— Libby (@libby_calaby) October 7, 2018

The episode also aired at the start of Dyspraxia Awareness Week, and while it is unclear if producers planned for this to be the case, it was a nice surprise for people supporting the campaign.

Take note @bbcdoctorwho fans like @Nick4P and many others, the new series which starts tonight features a character with #dyspraxia. Needless to say, I'll be tuning in for the first time ever. Excellent timing too as today marks the start of Dyspraxia Awareness Week. #Dyspraxia18

— Jonathan Levy (@JLevyUK) October 7, 2018

Coincidentally, it’s #DyspraxiaAwarenessWeek ! Sometimes when kids can’t ride bikes, catch balls, read maps or not know left nor right it may be a sign. Respect to #DoctorWho for highlighting #Dyspraxia pic.twitter.com/ST8w6S5eLx

— Nathan Barnes (@NathanBarnesSNC) October 7, 2018

Dyspraxia wasn’t the only issue the show dealt with, it also tackled problems that can affect all of us.

Another of the Doctor’s companions, Graham O’Brien played by Bradley Walsh, talked about dealing with losing his wife and his remission from cancer.

Also so meaningful for this show to subtly talk about loss, remission, having dyspraxia and feeling like an outsider to a young audience #DoctorWho

— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) October 7, 2018

So Jodie Whittaker is PHENOMENAL. Not that I thought she’d be anything less. Bradley Walsh proved what I already knew but so many people apparently didn’t - that he’s an exceptional straight performer as much as comedy. And Mandip & Tosin are incredible too. LOVED IT. #DoctorWho

— Jemma Robinson (@JemWithA_J_) October 7, 2018

I don’t mean to sound flippant when I say this, but I appreciate that our companions aren’t packaged as nebulous concepts anymore - they feel real, with Ryan’s dyspraxia and Graham being in remission. #DoctorWho

— Billy Garratt-John (@GarrattJohn) October 8, 2018

So many things touched me. Dyspraxia, Yorkshire, fried egg sandwich, strong female leads, Sheffield steel sonic screwdriver, oncology nursing, grief, remission #thaknows #DoctorWho

— ♿🇭🇰🍁🩇 Disabled Academic 🩇🍁🇭🇰♿ (@disableacademic) October 7, 2018

However, it did still not take away from just how phenomenal Jodie Whittaker was as The Doctor, with her winning plaudits for her portrayal of the Time Lord.

Watching Jodie Whittaker like #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/TYWx7iYffQ

— Katie Sterr (@kas27us) October 7, 2018

I've already seen enough of the Thirteenth Doctor to tell you that Jodie Whittaker was born to play The Doctor #DoctorWho

— Johann đŸ”„ (@Pyronex02) October 7, 2018

Female DOCTOR WHO!! Jodie Whittaker rocked it. ❀

— Amanda Tapping (@amandatapping) October 8, 2018

There were others who were also just a little bit happy about Sheffield featuring prominently, and the prevalence of Yorkshire accents.

Also absolutely LOVE how Sheffield has been incorporated into this series #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/ouQYERYqfu

— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) October 7, 2018

Doctor Who had Sheffield, dyspraxia, Jodie Whittaker, technology (like human technology), kebabs being thrown, teeth monster, Bradley Walsh and some stunning views - what's not to love? #DoctorWho

— James Day (@JamesD2Day) October 7, 2018

We're reyt proud that the fabulous new #DoctorWho handmade her all new sonic Swiss army knife with Sheffield steel 👍What a superb opening! pic.twitter.com/1nLc7UKxYD

— SheffieldCityCouncil (@SheffCouncil) October 7, 2018

Not only did the show receive rave reviews, but it was a big hit in the ratings, with 8.2 million people tuning in.

This makes it the biggest first episode for any Doctor since Christopher Ecclestone’s debut in 2005, which opened with 8.4 million.

The figure is also nearly double the number of people who tuned in to see the first episode of the last series in 2017.

‘Doctor Who’ continues on Sunday at 6.55pm on BBC One.

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