Mark Gatiss has slammed sexism in television and film.

The Doctor Who writer shared his views on the subject in a recent interview with the Financial Times, in which he suggested a female Doctor was not written before as it would have felt “like a novelty”.

Jodie Whittaker is of course the first female to land the role of the Doctor, and we’ll first see her in action during this year’s Christmas special.

While Gatiss is proud of the progress, he does admit that there should have been a female Doctor “a long time ago”, also implicating himself – a former Doctor Who writer – as part of the problem.

“The industry is, as we know, inherently sexist,” he said.

“There is a cut-off point for actresses, which appears to be now 23 when they’re deemed too old and they have to wait until they’re playing Lady Bracknell.

“I think there should have been a female Doctor Who a long time ago…[but] up to a certain point in its history, it would have felt a bit like a novelty.”

Following these admissions, does Gatiss plan on being part of the solution?

“I would love to write more for women,” he added.

“The problem is you might feel slightly hidebound by what people demand that you do.

“I don’t want to think, ‘It should probably be a woman.”

Hmm. We’ll see.

Doctor Who returns December 25 to BBC One.