Dr Who To Tick A Couple Of Boxes In Bbc's Quest For More Diversity.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/doctor-who-welcome-first-openly-10135519

/// "I remember watching TV as a young mixed race girl not seeing many people who looked like me, so I think being able to visually recognise yourself on screen is important. ///

[RandyMarsh]

Maybe he thinks it is a bit far fetched to have a gay character on Dr Who? (trying to keep face straight)

[mushroom25]

//In that time, there has been in the region of fifty 'companions'. There really isn't a problem with one being black, or gay or biracial. //

no, indeed. the first ethnic companion appeared in 2005; no issue. in all of the previous 54 years of doctor who, sexuality in any form hasn't been an issue either; though some of the companions have had partners, it's never been much of a central theme. now having made such an upfront declaration of Bill Potts' sexuality, one wonders where they intend to take this, or how it's intended to be used in the series. doctor who has (until now) been in the science fiction genre; it is hoped that there isn't an intent to turn it into some form of multi-issue space soap opera.

[douglas9401]

I suppose if there's a "massive employment problem in our industry for BAME actors" that they could be looking for work in another field.

You know, like people who aren't pretending to be something for money have to do in the real world.

[bednobs]

miaow douglas. dont you enjoy and films or tv hen?

[douglas9401]

I do, bednobs, but I also enjoy having my bins emptied along with other everyday tasks needing done.
There's no absolute right to be an artiste instead an ordinary foot soldier like the rest of us, yes, even if you're black.

[bednobs]

how is beng a bin man more ordinary than being an actor? - they are both just jobs

[douglas9401]

Different in as much as he actually lifts bins and doesn't mope about the place because 'the man' won't let him/her play dress-up for money.

[bednobs]

but that didnt answer my question. In fact being an actor is probably more ordinary than being a binman - there are probably more actors than binmen in he country

[Islay]

Some people do like to get their knickers in a twist over things don't they!
Do you thing that they will get down to the business there in front of you on a Saturday evening?

[-Talbot-]

Am I the only one who thinks Dr Who is crap and has always been crap?

[jno]

he speaks highly of you, Talbot.

[Mamyalynne]

I doubt very much you are the only one Talbot, I know plenty who don't like it or have never watched it since X left etc etc.


Ron has also made a note to turn off when it's on.

[Baldric]

///Dr Who debuted on television in November 1963.
That was over half a decade ago///

"I always thought a Decade was 10 years"

[Mamyalynne]

Pertinent.

[-Talbot-]

Well I will say one thing for Dr Who ... he's a good judge of character.




Isn't it for kids?

[sp1814]

mushroom25

There's already a precedent.

Captain Jack was gay.

It wasn't central to his character, it was simply a facet of his character.

Billie Piper and Catherine Tate played straight companions and this didn't define their portrayals. With the precedent already set by Captain Jack, perhaps we shouldn't read too much into this new development.

[Mamyalynne]

It isn't aimed at any particular age group , it's pure escapism as far as I'm concerned.

[sp1814]

Baldric

Yup.

Substitute century for decade!

[Baldric]

Will do ;o)

[mushroom25]

//perhaps we shouldn't read too much into this new development. //

you're right, of course. but maybe I'm just showing my age in not wishing dr who to become just another drama focusing on relationship angst and social issues, which just happens to have space as a backdrop (rather like casualty mutated from a medical drama into yet another soap, that happens to be set in a hospital)