The latest award for Doctor Who’s mantelpiece has come from the PinkNews Awards, that’s celebrated the show for its long-standing dedication to LGBT inclusiveness.
The award was collected by Pearl Mackie, who plays Bill of course, and she said to Pink News that “last year I never fathomed coming to any Awards ceremony, so I feel quite honoured to even have been invited, let alone for Doctor Who and the character of Bill”.
“It’s testament to how well she was received and how well people responded to having an out lesbian on a mainstream TV show. It’s genuinely been amazingly positive, especially going around the world and meeting people. I met a couple of young girls who were BAME, and 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”.
She added that “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 is set to return for what looks like one last outing in Doctor Who this Christmas.