Matt Smith worries trigger warnings 'policing' theatre

Matt Smith has voiced his disapproval of trigger warnings, stating that there is "too much policing of stories" across stage and screen.

- ELLIE MUIR

The House of the Dragon and Doctor Who actor said he worries that characters and themes are being "dialled and dumbed down" in an attempt to avoid making audiences uncomfortable.

Smith, who played the Time Lord in Doctor Who from 2010 to 2013, said he doesn’t agree with trigger warnings – pre-emptive messages that warn the viewer about potentially distressing content – because they take away an element of surprise. “We’re telling audiences they’re going to be scared before they’ve watched something,” the actor said.

He continued: “We should be telling morally difficult stories, nowadays in particular. It’s OK to feel uncomfortable or provoked while looking at a painting or watching a play, but I worry everything’s being dialled and dumbed down.