[TheZookie007]

Like I said, and as salem and rtpoe have just proved: litmus test.

[salem]

Like I said, and as salem and rtpoe have just proved: litmus test.

I hardly think comparing the PC nuts wanting a black/female/ethnic Doctor Who can exactly be likened to Idris Elba in Thor.

For a start I don't remember seeing endless speculation in newspapers and the internet as to who was going to play Heimdall. And as a consequence there was no PC brigade saying that Heimdall should be played by a black actor or a woman, so your comparison there is so flimsy as to be non-existent.

The point I was getting at, which you obviously failed to grasp is that when the Doctor changes (at least since the show returned in 2005) the people who say he should be black or female have no argument as to why it should happen other than that it is ABOUT TIME. What sort of reasoning is that?

Since Thor the movie appeals to far more people than simply the comic officianados I doubt very much if most people even knew who Heimdall was! Let alone care if he is played by a black actor or not. The Doctor is a long established character with nearly 50 years worth of televised adventures and countless other Audios and books. It isn't quite the same thing is it?

And as for the litmus test idea, the reaction to the casting of Heimdall was as a direct consequence of the casting and NOT the speculation. Doctor Who number 12 (or 13 depending on whether or not John Hurt is a missing incarnation) has yet to be chosen and all there IS is speculation. So it's really rather moot at this point. It could be that the flurry of speculation over the next Doctor is being watched closely by the showrunners of Doctor Who to gauge if the time is right for a female/black actor. However, until one is cast you won't get an idea about how the public feel because no-one really believes it will happen until they see it on screen with their own eyes. That will be the true test.

Oh and nice sidestepping about being wrong about the female Doctor in a Christmas special.

[TheZookie007]

I hardly think comparing the PC nuts wanting a black/female/ethnic Doctor Who can exactly be likened to Idris Elba in Thor.

For a start I don't remember seeing endless speculation in newspapers and the internet as to who was going to play Heimdall. And as a consequence there was no PC brigade saying that Heimdall should be played by a black actor or a woman, so your comparison there is so flimsy as to be non-existent.

The point I was getting at, which you obviously failed to grasp is that when the Doctor changes (at least since the show returned in 2005) the people who say he should be black or female have no argument as to why it should happen other than that it is ABOUT TIME. What sort of reasoning is that?

Since Thor the movie appeals to far more people than simply the comic officianados I doubt very much if most people even knew who Heimdall was! Let alone care if he is played by a black actor or not. The Doctor is a long established character with nearly 50 years worth of televised adventures and countless other Audios and books. It isn't quite the same thing is it?

And as for the litmus test idea, the reaction to the casting of Heimdall was as a direct consequence of the casting and NOT the speculation. Doctor Who number 12 (or 13 depending on whether or not John Hurt is a missing incarnation) has yet to be chosen and all there IS is speculation. So it's really rather moot at this point. It could be that the flurry of speculation over the next Doctor is being watched closely by the showrunners of Doctor Who to gauge if the time is right for a female/black actor. However, until one is cast you won't get an idea about how the public feel because no-one really believes it will happen until they see it on screen with their own eyes. That will be the true test.

Oh and nice sidestepping about being wrong about the female Doctor in a Christmas special.

I didn't sidestep it. Remember that I originally said "IIRC". You corrected me, correctly. So, what do you want, a cookie?

As this commenter said:

"PC" is just a weasel term that white men use to keep down people who those white men don't treat with respect. Once upon a time the term "black" was the "PC" term that white people resisted, because they preferred terms like "negro" that were used in association with oppression and racist acts by public authorities. Now we all use "black."

[Starscream]

In today's day and age, unless your main character is a Black Asian female disabled midget who speaks Spanish, there is going to be some group complaining about the show being biased to "x" group. It's a sad world we live in where being a "white English speaking male" is listed under Hitler as the most evil people on the planet.

As for Doctor Who, there's a bigger chance of him being a Ginger than being Black.

[TheZookie007]

Please! No way is that gonna happen! After all, everyone knows that gingers have no souls!

[salem]

I didn't sidestep it. Remember that I originally said "IIRC". You corrected me, correctly. So, what do you want, a cookie?

As this commenter said:

Oh well if a commenter said it, it MUST be true...  That's my world view shattered...

Oh, and yes, a double stuffed Oreo would be nice...   

[salem]

Anyway..

To stop me getting grumpy over Political Correctness gone haywire, I thought I'd post about a few people who have been 'tipped' for the role and why I think they will not be the next Doctor.

David Morrisey - I think it is extremely unlikely that anyone who has already appeared in the 'New' Doctor Who will be considered for the Doctor. Especially as David had such a prominent role in the Christmas special entitled 'The Next Doctor'. Which means that if he WERE to become Doctor who, watching 'The Next Doctor' would just confuse kids everywhere!

David Harewood - Again, he has also appeared in the show, in David Tennants swansong 'The End of Time'. Plus he is too 'polished'. Doctor Who should really be a bit more quirky and eccentric. Harewood is too smooth.

Rupert Grint - Seriously? You have to be kidding! Apart from the fact he is WAY too well known as Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, he is too young. I don't think They would EVER go younger than Matt Smith. It's possible, but unlikely. Same goes for Daniel Radcliffe.

Helen Mirren - Getting silly now. She is female for a start, and despite calls for a female Doctor (most likely from people who more likely casual viewers than real fans) I really don't think it would work. Besides, she is too old, the shooting schedule and all that comes with it is punishing, probably be too much for a woman in her 60's!

Ben Wishaw - Would be a good choice actually, he has a very Doctorish quality too him, but he is too similar to Matt Smith. Maybe further down the line.

Colin Morgan - Bit young and too well known as Merlin.

People Who Could be the Next who?

Kris Marshall - Actor from comedy My Family, also been in the movie Love Actually. In his 40's now, quirky, has a good grasp of comedy and is a fine actor. Would be an ideal choice.

Richard Coyle - Has worked with Moffat before in the TV show Coupling. Also starred as John Strange in the BBC demon hunting show 'Strange'.  Good actor, good grasp of comedy and again pretty quirky. Also in his 40's.

Chiwetel Ejiofor - Also in Love Actually and the Joss Whedon flick Serenity. Damn good actor and along with Patterson Joseph (known for a very Doctorish turn as the Maquis in Neil Gaiman's 'Neverhwere') probably a couple of the most credible choices for a black Doctor.

Julian Rhind-Tutt - Was in the TV show Green Wing. Quite eccentric but at the same time has a very cool persona. His unflappable nature
would make him an ideal Doctor.

Julian Barrett - Comedian and actor from shows such as Nathan Barley, Mighty Boosh and Garth Merenghi's Darkplace. Has some nice Doctorish characterisitics.

Damian Maloney - Played Hal in the final series of 'Being Human'. A relative unknown would make him an ideal choice. Similar to JR-T in his demeanor.

However, the papers seem to think Rory Kinnear has been given the part, but time will tell.

[Starscream]

Has anyone had the slightest thought that all the hints and speculation are just a smoke screen for John Hurt to actually take the role?

[gOOber]

How about a new tardis? It`s beginning to show its age.

[salem]

Has anyone had the slightest thought that all the hints and speculation are just a smoke screen for John Hurt to actually take the role?

Extremely unlikely.

Given that Matt Smith seemed to recognise John Hurt's Doctor as one from his past, probably from the Time War. One that betrayed the Name of the Doctor.

Plus, he would be too old for the rigours of filming 10 months a year in Wales, and probably too expensive for the BBC to hire!

[Starscream]

Given that Matt Smith seemed to recognise John Hurt's Doctor as one from his past, probably from the Time War. One that betrayed the Name of the Doctor.

It's Doctor Who. Remember the wibbly wobbly timey whimy stuff... That explains everything.

[salem]

It's Doctor Who. Remember the wibbly wobbly timey whimy stuff... That explains everything.

Ah, but if John Hurt's Doctor IS from the Time War, that would mean he would become his younger self when the 11th(12th?) regenerates. The 11th (?12th) wouldn't have recognised him had he been a future Doctor and he wouldn't have spoken about him in the past tense, if there is such a thing as past tense to a Time-Lord anyway...

A future incarnation (if that is what Hurt is) would not have been able to fight in the Time War because wherever the Doctor is in Time he and the TARDIS are in sync with the Gallifreyan time stream. It would be possible for the Time Lords to use an EARLIER Doctor to fight in the Time War, just not a later one (I think).

Anyway, John Hurt's Doctor might have a totally different reason for being the one who betrayed the Doctor's name, maybe he parked his TARDIS on some puppies?

All speculation at this point, am REALLY looking forward to November and finding out what it is REALLY all about!

And since it is a TV show about Time Travel and anything can happen, all that I said there could be total bollocks! The Moff can make up what he likes! Lucky guy...

[rtpoe]

Well, he can make up whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't piss off the audience. You can only pull a deus ex machina out so often... and RTD has already used up quite a few of them....

[salem]

According to newspaper reports, the BBC may announce a new Doctor Who as early as next month.

My top choices are...

1) Kris Marshall
2) Daniel Rigby
3) Julian Rhind-Tutt
4) Richard Coyle

I've avoided anyone who has appeared in the show before, and also ignored any nonsense about a woman becoming the next Doctor. Just because he is an alien and can change his appearance into apparently 'anything' it does not mean you should go against 50 years of history simply because 'it is about time a woman played him'. If people want a woman Time-Lord so bad, bring back Romana and give her her own spin-off show! After all, since Romana is in E-Space, a totally different Universe, chances are she is still alive.

Number 2 is an interesting choice. Relatively unknown but did beat Matt Smith AND Benedict Cumberbatch to the 2011 BAFTA for best actor. And since Moffat Executive produces the shows that Matt and Benedict work on, Daniel is surely on the radar.

Julian Rhind-Tutt worked with Gatiss on 'Crooked House' and Gatiss has quite a bit of say on Doctor Who (next showrunner maybe?).

Richard Coyle also worked with Moffat on the TV show 'Coupling' so he knows the guy well, plus Coyle played the very Doctor-like 'Strange' on the BBC, so we know he can a role like the Doctor easily enough.

I suppose you can't rule out Jack Davenport or Dexter Fletcher as Dark Horses too, since they too have both worked on Moffat shows (Coupling and Press Gang).

James Nesbitt (who played Jekyll in a 6-part drama penned by Moffat) would be my dark DARK horse. Since a lot of producers like to work with people they have worked with before, although I have to say, when Matt Smith got the part, that came right out of left-field!

I shall wait for the result with giddy anticipation.

[Freddy]

I really felt Matt Smith got better with each season after taking the reins from Tennant, and he got to do some of his strongest work yet in Season 7.  Hence, it makes sense for him to leave on a high note, and while I am a bit disappointed he won't work long with Clara (man, Moffat knows how to find sexy companions), I am excited to see who takes over for Smith in leading the show into a new direction.  One of the show's central themes has always been about how time and change are intertwined to each other, and that is why the show has endured for so long, because life is about constant change during the course of time.  Hurt's appearance at the end of the season cliffhanger was brilliantly done, and I am certainly looking forward to November.