10 Things You Need To Know About John Bishop
Article: https://www.bbcamerica.com/blogs/10-things-to-know-about-new-doctor-who-star-john-bishop--52569
Frankly, all I got out of that is that he likes soccer/football, is competitive, vegetarian, loves animals, and had a “week from hell.” From my very limited knowledge, and knowing that this role of Dan was made for him, I see him having soccer/football and competitiveness in common with Yaz. (Football reference was in Tsuranga, and honestly that one line is already more than I know about sports.)
He is a comedian, likely to fill in a Nardole-like role, which can help alleviate tension/angst in the TARDIS (which we know they’ve got plenty of). Perhaps him being a father will also mean he’ll lean into that sort of advice/comforting/mentor role we’d expect from one. Maybe help them deal with their trauma, unpack all of that stuff (and maybe has dealt with / has some of his own and can help 13 develop coping mechanisms that are healthy... and exist.)
But, the bit I got really excited for here, is that BBC specifically included this fact and a video really highlighting his alliance with LGBTQ. It makes me wonder if he will play a queer character (I know people are already starting ships w/ Dan in them...) or at least an ally here (maybe he’ll lead the thasmin ship in the show?)
BBC specifically chose to include in their 10 Things To Know About New 'Doctor Who' Star John Bishoparticle that he's an LGBTQ ally.
I do recall one article I read (radio times? it’s all a blur... i’ll reblog with it if I can find it again, I promise!) that implied he might actually help nudge them together? Really push for there to be clarification on what makes their relationship so different. It’s already confirmed Yaz has feelings for the Doctor, and that Yaz/13 relationship was very different than that with the boys, so I’m hoping for some explicit acknowledgement of this (even a confession??) regardless of how things move from that point on. I think Yaz will need to get that off her chest at some point, even if she feels like she’s told the Doctor already, she’s going to need a proper response from the Doctor. We see her growing frustration with this, in The Haunting of Diodati, when she compares her relationship with the Doctor to Claire’s with Byron.
So Yaz feels she’s expressed her feelings, at least enough to be frustrated with the Doctor’s less-than-clear responses. That, and how she has been growing more assertive, challenging the Doctor, I think she might even insist on some sort of reply.
Personally, I think this line said it all, but it’s not enough for our Yaz. Maybe Dan could help them with their communication? Maybe have a one-on-one with both of them at different points and kind of nudge the Doctor? If the Doctor says something, assumes Yaz says or feels a certain way, and Dan could reply that she really should talk to Yaz about it because he thinks she’s wrong / she’s assuming without asking.
Both of them may be communicating their feelings in the way they know how, might even feel like they’re being quite clear about it. Some of you may be screaming “JUST SAY YOU LOVE HER” but that’s not where they’re at. They both have been through a lot and will need to process that. Perhaps through the talking, they can heal as individuals, and grow closer together.
I am very much looking forward to Series 13 and hope that they do these characters justice.
