I respectfully disagree. Doctor Who thrives on change. It's not just about being PC. It's about doing something different. We've already seen Michelle Gomez as an absolutely amazing Master/Mistress, and she's leaving this year. Having the Doctor turn up as a woman this time round is not only good for a change but it also have a couple of nice in-universe tie-ins. He's mourning the loss of Missy and Bill, who, as far as he knows, are both dead. A female face may serve to remind him.

Geektastic: Hideous. PC nonsense.

Coming soon, Mr Marple played by Lenny Henry, Ms Poirot and Shaft starring Daniel Craig.

Dr Who has been rubbish since they changed the format IMV and this will kill it.

I read that next year Dr Who will be a disabled actor.

I am not surprised, but it smacks of PC to me. Like they need to "share" it around. I am half expecting the next Doctor to be black, or transgender or something. 

Very cool. It adds a new dimension and new interest. Very good decision.

Geektastic: Hideous. PC nonsense.

Coming soon, Mr Marple played by Lenny Henry, Ms Poirot and Shaft starring Daniel Craig.

Dr Who has been rubbish since they changed the format IMV and this will kill it.

The new version has had both excellent and execrable episodes and an interesting select of Dr's - all of who have had both strengths and weaknesses IMHO.

I don't see an issue with the Dr being a woman. Why not?

In a piece of fiction based on any number of utterly ludicrous notions, I can't see having a female Dr as being detrimental to either canon or concept and it could well bring a much needed boost to a show which is starting to seem stale.

Anyone who has actually followed this series from the beginning, or who bothers to look up the earlier episodes, can see that it has evolved over time, and not just a little bit, either. There is no reason at all why the doctor's sex or other attributes cannot be part of that evolution, except for the entrenched attitudes of white conservative males who simply cannot cope with change.

I'll wait and see how she does before writing her off. It's an interesting twist and might work, I don't think there's anything that says the Doctor can't regen into a woman.

networkn:

 

I am not surprised, but it smacks of PC to me. Like they need to "share" it around. I am half expecting the next Doctor to be black, or transgender or something. 

 

 

Is there any good reason for the Doctor not to be black or transgender or a cat or whatever?

It is a fantasy/Sci-Fi show for entertainment. Why not include/engage and represent with actors of varying creed, colour, physical make-up etc?

Item:

 

networkn:

 

I am not surprised, but it smacks of PC to me. Like they need to "share" it around. I am half expecting the next Doctor to be black, or transgender or something. 

 

 

 

 

 

Is there any good reason for the Doctor not to be black or transgender or a cat or whatever?

 

It is a fantasy/Sci-Fi show for entertainment. Why not include/engage and represent with actors of varying creed, colour, physical make-up etc?

 

No reason not to, but what was the motivation in favour of it? What will it add ?

networkn:

 

 

 

No reason not to, but what was the motivation in favour of it? What will it add ?

 

 

 

Well as I said - I imagine the motivation was to provide a fresh take on a stale format - a different feel and approach.

After 40 years of middle aged white blokes in the role, why not a woman? Why not re-frame an iconic heroic role in a way that might resonate even more with female fans? Why not show young girls that women in Doctor Who don't have to be just a side-kick?

I would also assume (hope?) she got the role because she auditioned well for the part and the show runners believed she would be a good fit and not just because they were looking for a "token chick"

To turn your original question around - what does it diminish?

I read the gambling establishments were so convinced it was going to be Phoebe Waller-Bridge that they were no longer accepting bets on her. Shows what they know I guess.

It will be interesting to see how Jodie Whittaker tackles the role. Although to be honest, I'm more excited about Stephen Moffat stepping down as show-runner. As I always felt the quality dropped after he replaced Russel T Davies.

Doctor Who is up against stiff competition in the market place, to gain funding and survive it needs to evolve to keep and grow its ratings. This is a very good decision to keep the franchise relevant in a tough sector.