For those without access to YouTube at work, what was the announcement 

Was it just "the next Doctor Who will be a woman"

Link to BBC text only if you don't want to watch a video...

nzkiwiman:

 

For those without access to YouTube at work, what was the announcement 

 

Was it just "the next Doctor Who will be a woman"

 

Just a little promo clip showing Jodie Whittaker as the new Doctor.

kiwifidget:

 

Capt Jack Harkness was very popular, and he was gender/species inclusive!

 

MORE JACK HARKNESS!!! Alternatively, Jack Harkness for the 14th incarnation of The Doctor. In other news, I think I possibly liked Torchwood more than Doctor Who. DW tries to be family friendly. Torchwood did not; and any hypothetical universe with Daleks in it, is not family friendly, nor would a real adversary of the Daleks get more than half a syllable out before being vapourised, let alone be able to destroy an entire Dalek invasion fleet just by talking at them.

But I digress... Doctor Who, I loves it.

Jodie Whittaker was wonderful in Broadchurch. I think she will be fantastic in the role.

Disappointing to see the internet’s reaction, but I don’t know why I expected better.

The general reaction (and the posts in this thread) serve to confirm my long-held belief that anyone who complains about anything on the basis of "political correctness" is a numpty. There are no exceptions to the rule.

allio:

 

Jodie Whittaker was wonderful in Broadchurch. I think she will be fantastic in the role.

 

Disappointing to see the internet’s reaction, but I don’t know why I expected better.

 

The general reaction (and the posts in this thread) serve to confirm my long-held belief that anyone who complains about anything on the basis of "political correctness" is a numpty. There are no exceptions to the rule.

 

I think those who are against it are probably just a very vocal minority.

I personally can't stand (what I see as) the ridiculous level on political correctness these days. But for me the casting of a female Doctor is just part of a much needed shake-up of a franchise that has, frankly, been getting somewhat stale.

In order to introduce a female Doctor, casting was always going to be incredibly important, and I think Jodie Whittaker is a good choice.

Paul1977:

 

 

 

In order to introduce a female Doctor, casting was always going to be incredibly important, and I think Jodie Whittaker is a good choice.

 

If a woman was to be put into the position, I also think she is a good choice, at least that's my best estimate having not seen her in it yet.

networkn:

 

If a woman was to be put into the position, I also think she is a good choice, at least that's my best estimate having not seen her in it yet.

 

She is a very good actress, although I have only seen her in more serious roles.

At the risk of sounding sexist, I think she has the right look to appeal to a broad audience of men and women as well. She is very attractive, but not in that unrealistic 'pin-up model' way that could potentially alienate some female viewers. They also, wisely, didn't go too young.

Now I know her looks shouldn't matter, and I wouldn't make a comment like that about a new male Doctor etc. but realistically her looks will be a big factor in the success or failure of having a female Doctor.

As long as it's done honestly and without the usual gender stereotypical fem leads these days - strong empowered woman able to take on and solve anything - yes this is the Dr's genre - but I'll bet we see the usual smart sassy Dr/woman surrounded by another cute sassy female and dumbed down men/boys. The baddies will as usual, be men or men dressed up as some kind of alien and will most likely to be killed off or other during the episode.

Check out any of the Alien movies, Gravity, Wonder Woman, Star Trek .... always the men are baddies, are disposable and killed off - no love interests these days - just endless male blood being splattered and the total absurdity of a 60kG woman, back handing a 140kG gorilla of a man whilst wearing high heels and a cat suit - yeah right!

Dr Who has been progressively sissified over the last 10 years or so - no longer quirky, with poor plot and script. In the early series, kids (especially boys) loved the Dr and all the levers and stuff in the tardis - there was hell to pay when the set construction was to be changed and some of the levers were to be relocated. In the end the set constructors relented and rebuilt it as 'normal'. The kids knew what every lever and button was for and god help the Dr if he screwed up and got it wrong!

Oh yes - the new Dr is and avowed and ardent feminist ... 

pjay:

 

As long as it's done honestly and without the usual gender stereotypical fem leads these days - strong empowered woman able to take on and solve anything - yes this is the Dr's genre - but I'll bet we see the usual smart sassy Dr/woman surrounded by another cute sassy female and dumbed down men/boys. The baddies will as usual, be men or men dressed up as some kind of alien and will most likely to be killed off or other during the episode.

 

Check out any of the Alien movies, Gravity, Wonder Woman, Star Trek .... always the men are baddies, are disposable and killed off - no love interests these days - just endless male blood being splattered and the total absurdity of a 60kG woman, back handing a 140kG gorilla of a man whilst wearing high heels and a cat suit - yeah right!

 

Dr Who has been progressively sissified over the last 10 years or so - no longer quirky, with poor plot and script. In the early series, kids (especially boys) loved the Dr and all the levers and stuff in the tardis - there was hell to pay when the set construction was to be changed and some of the levers were to be relocated. In the end the set constructors relented and rebuilt it as 'normal'. The kids knew what every lever and button was for and god help the Dr if he screwed up and got it wrong!

 

Oh yes - the new Dr is and avowed and ardent feminist ... 

 

The Red Pill is over that way -->

Paul1977:

 

networkn:

 

If a woman was to be put into the position, I also think she is a good choice, at least that's my best estimate having not seen her in it yet.

 

 

She is a very good actress, although I have only seen her in more serious roles.

 

At the risk of sounding sexist, I think she has the right look to appeal to a broad audience of men and women as well. She is very attractive, but not in that unrealistically 'pin-up model' way that could potentially alienate some female viewers. They also, wisely, didn't go too young.

 

Now I know her looks shouldn't matter, and I wouldn't make a comment like that about a new male Doctor etc. but realistically her looks will be a big factor in the success or failure of having a female Doctor.

 

I agree completely. Doesn't matter what people say, everyone judges people on their looks, it's a basic thing, ingrained and a key part of self-preservation. it happens before you even know it's happening, and if by some miracle you could switch it off, you wouldn't live very long. 

I think they made a smart casting decision in so far as hiring her in this role for the points raised above.

pjay:

 

Check out any of the Alien movies, Gravity, Wonder Woman, Star Trek .... always the men are baddies, are disposable and killed off - no love interests these days - just endless male blood being splattered and the total absurdity of a 60kG woman, back handing a 140kG gorilla of a man whilst wearing high heels and a cat suit - yeah right!

 

Um... you realise these aren't documentaries right?

pjay:

 

 

 

Oh yes - the new Dr is and avowed and ardent feminist ... 

 

 

 

What's the relevance of this?

I thought Dr Who  is neither a man nor woman but a time-lord in the physical form of a human male or female?

Interesting move by the BBC.  High risk pulling major change like that on loyal fans.

MikeAqua:

 

I thought Dr Who  is neither a man nor woman but a time-lord in the physical form of a human male or female?

 

That's actually a very interesting point. 

I guess if she was the most qualified person to fill this role, then good. If they did it to fufill a quota or for "political" reasons, and she isn't as good, then I think it's a crappy thing to do. 

I knew this a while back after an interview I heard on a podcast, where they sort of let it slip. I find it somewhat unwatchable these days anyway, as it is really made for kids. I would have liked to see a more adult version, like the movie a good number of years back.