Peter Capaldi on Industry Sexism: “That’s Not Fair, It’s Not Right”

Jill Pantozzi | November 5th, 2015

Have I told you lately that I love you, Peter Capaldi?

The actor did an interview with the Evening Standard to promote the upcoming Doctor Who Festival in the UK. During the course of their discussion the topic of double standards came up with regards to acting.

He spoke specifically of an instance early on in his Doctor Who tenure where Jenna Coleman was directed to act flirtatious while he was told to look powerful.

“It’s ridiculous that we get these old guys with young women draped round them. When I started Doctor Who and we were doing photoshoots we’d be asked if Jenna could just lie down there while I [stood over her and looked powerful], he told them. “I had to say, ‘Look, that’s just not what we’re about. The relationship between my Doctor and his companion is one of deep love. But it’s a strange sort of platonic bond. It becomes clearer and more moving as this particular series goes on.”

Lest you think he’s merely harping on his employer, Capaldi also told them it’s an attitude that’s pervasive in his line of work.

Capaldi saves his most Tucker-esque sneer when discussing sexism in the industry. ‘Of course it’s sexist. Most of my peers have partners their age, so if we have a dinner party with a bunch of actors, the wives or partners are largely the same age. Then you see your friends on screen and they are suddenly with some extraordinary young lady who wouldn’t be at the dinner party. It’s ridiculous.

‘It is true that women reach a certain age when people decide that they’re not useful anymore as actors. There are a few significant theatrical roles that they might be viable for. That’s not fair, it’s not right, it’s not a proper reflection of what goes on in life.’

Always nice to hear folks speaking up about this sort of thing in any venue but I’m delighted to hear Capaldi not only acknowledges it but is willing to talk about it so openly.

(image via BBC America)

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