# Question for Dr Who fans **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 9, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215 "2012-10-09T14:42:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/41 "2012-10-10T05:16:49Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > This could actually be interesting. > That is the first good idea in the thread so far. It’s something people would not expect. > A Girl Doctor or Black Doctor seem like such predictable surprise it would only be a groaner. > But a Fat Doctor, I honestly thought you were leading up to _“But a Fat Black Girl Doctor…”_ ---
**Author:** ![Monkey\_Chews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@Monkey\_Chews](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monkey_Chews)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/42 "2012-10-10T06:20:43Z")
> [@Ashley\_Pomeroy](#): > > Of course, there’s already been one black doctor. Jon Pertwee. And there can’t be a female Doctor, because they’d have to rename the show _Lady Doctor Who_, which is silly. This is the funniest thing I’ve read all day. Thank you! I’d love to see a female Doctor. I’m not sure they’d be able to get away with changing the show so much, but I’d sure love to see them give it a try. Maybe just one season? God, imagine Helen Mirren running around the galaxy, saving whole planets with her trusty boy-toy companion at her side. Or Emma Thompson, or Tamsin Greig, or Jessica Hynes. Sign me the hell up! This however… > [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > There’s [Cameron Daddo](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0196592/), an Australian bloke with experience as an off-beat lead character in a weekly TV series. A Daddo as the Doctor??? I just couldn’t cope. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/43 "2012-10-10T06:55:44Z")
I think it says something interesting that people will jump from White Doctor to Black Doctor or even SE Asian Doctor while blithely skipping over the demographically-larger-in-UK Indian and Pakistani possibilities. And there are many good actors in that group, male and female. Not sure what, but _something_. Me, I’m happy with a non-white Doctor, but I don’t need nor want a female or older (50+) Doctor. Eccleston was an acceptable upper bound, I think. For that matter, I don’t need nor want a much younger Doctor, either. I’d say nebulously-30-something is a good age for me. The older Original Doctors just didn’t work for me. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/44 "2012-10-10T07:02:43Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I think it says something interesting that people will jump from White Doctor to Black Doctor or even SE Asian Doctor while blithely skipping over the demographically-larger-in-UK Indian and Pakistani possibilities. And there are many good actors in that group, male and female. Okay, so how about Naveen Andrews? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/45 "2012-10-10T07:04:53Z")
> [@Monkey\_Chews](#): > > This is the funniest thing I’ve read all day. Thank you! Here’s the third call in the thread for someone to please _explain the comment_. Granted, two of the three calls are from the same person… ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/46 "2012-10-10T07:11:38Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I think it says something interesting that people will jump from White Doctor to Black Doctor or even SE Asian Doctor while blithely skipping over the demographically-larger-in-UK Indian and Pakistani possibilities. And there are many good actors in that group, male and female. > > Not sure what, but _something_. It was deliberate for me. Indian/Pakistani seems too obvious. If it were a US show, I’d think a black Doctor was too obvious, and I’d suggest an Indian or Pakistani as a surprising choice. I think people in the US already have a sense of how we would react to a black Doctor, because recasting a previously white role with an African-American is a regular thing in almost any revival of an old property, and African-Americans are an obvious demographic to reach for. I think the same would be true in the UK for south Asians and possibly blacks/Afro-Carribeans. I think a SE Asian in the UK or a south Asian in the US would do more to make people think and smell less like an audience demographic move. In the US, a Hispanic would also be an interesting move, although it would also risk appearing to be a demographic thing. Of course, a non-white _woman_ would be the most surprising choice, since gender and race/ethnicity are so often thought of as alternative minority groups, disregarding the fact that half the people of any race or ethnicity are women ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/47 "2012-10-10T07:16:21Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Okay, so how about Naveen Andrews? Frankly, I don’t think he could pull it off. But in line with my suggestion of a fat Doctor, what about Jorge Garcia? (Though could you have a more American accent?) ---
**Author:** ![Dublin11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Dublin11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dublin11)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/48 "2012-10-10T07:29:38Z")
Ace Bhatti would completely own Dr Who, now as I think about it. He’d be an excellent shout. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/49 "2012-10-10T07:42:51Z")
> [@Dublin11](#): > > Ace Bhatti would completely own Dr Who, now as I think about it. He’d be an excellent shout. He’s already been on _The Sarah Jane Adventures_. Not that it would necessarily preclude being cast as the Doctor. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/50 "2012-10-10T08:21:20Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Okay, so how about Naveen Andrews? He’s in a fantasy drama that’s just finished broadcasting called _Sinbad_, and he’s really not that good. Which is not to say he’s bad, and it doesn’t help that everybody in the cast is equally mediocre and dealing with very predictable scripts, but his acting is stilted and awkward. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/51 "2012-10-10T08:43:47Z")
Really? Admittedly, all I know him from is\* the Buddha of Suburbia\* and _Lost_, but he was very good in both. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/52 "2012-10-10T09:38:34Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > I’m surprised people don’t like River Song. Same reason I don’t like Captain Jack. So over the top that they end up in pantomime territory. I love Alex Kingston as an actress, just not that role. John Barrowman less so, I think he has talents in a lot of areas but drama is not one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/53 "2012-10-10T10:01:47Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > John Barrowman less so, I think he has talents in a lot of areas but drama is not one of them. Also, he both runs and holds a gun like a 12-year-old girl, which really takes away from his action cred. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/54 "2012-10-10T10:49:42Z")
> [@Dublin11](#): > > Ace Bhatti would completely own Dr Who, now as I think about it. He’d be an excellent shout. Ooh yes, he would be fierce. And [Marc Elliott](http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Marc+Elliott&rlz=1C1CHFA_enGB485GB485&aq=f&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D14&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=81F1UJzhKeml0QXd-YCgDg&biw=1337&bih=1191&sei=9VF1UKbGEcbJ0QWimoGgBg) could rock the slightly quirky but gorgeous thing in the Tennant mould, but would have to give up his role as Said Masood in Eastenders first. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/55 "2012-10-10T13:05:58Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Okay, so how about Naveen Andrews? He’s OK, but I’d rather Jimi Mistry. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/56 "2012-10-10T13:25:34Z")
I don’t think an Indian or an Asian man would sell as a doctor. I don’t think he’d be sexy enough. Whether we like it or not, Asian men are still considered the least sexy of all men in the country…people don’t even really think of them as having sex appeal. I admit that there are a lot of Indian characters casually in Who - that is to say, their race is not the focus or even an issue. They’re just British. I’d be happy with an Indian companion. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/57 "2012-10-10T13:26:55Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > It was deliberate for me. Indian/Pakistani seems too obvious. If it were a US show, I’d think a black Doctor was too obvious, and I’d suggest an Indian or Pakistani as a surprising choice. I think people in the US already have a sense of how we would react to a black Doctor, because recasting a previously white role with an African-American is a regular thing in almost any revival of an old property, and African-Americans are an obvious demographic to reach for. I think the same would be true in the UK for south Asians and possibly blacks/Afro-Carribeans. I think a SE Asian in the UK or a south Asian in the US would do more to make people think and smell less like an audience demographic move. In the US, a Hispanic would also be an interesting move, although it would also risk appearing to be a demographic thing. I get what you’re saying, but I don’t agree.\* In the context of (Nu) Who\*, we’ve already seen _way_ more Blacks than S. Asians in contrast to the demographics. _Two_ companions, _numerous_ NPCs, even where they’re _noticeably_ unusual, like Renaissance Venice, Victorian & Shakespearean London or ancient Pompeii (to the point where it seemed forced, to me)… can’t really think of anyone offhand for South Asian, although I’m sure there are some. So already in Doctor Who (and, in my experience, in UK TV in general), Black is the default second setting after White, and I don’t think a South Asian Doctor would be seen as a “regular” recasting. Which, like I said, is odd given the demographics. My best guess would be that it’s a (perceived) accent thing? Not sure… ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/58 "2012-10-10T13:37:38Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Whether we like it or not, Asian men are still considered the least sexy of all men in the country…people don’t even really think of them as having sex appeal. Are you referring to the US? Because that’s not universal. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/59 "2012-10-10T14:48:45Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > I want a fat Doctor! Think Nero Wolf in a Tardis. Yeah but what of all the running? Imagine the scene _after_ the running where the Doctor is huffing and puffing and has to hold up his hand to get everyone to stop for a minute before he can explain how he’s going to save everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215/60 "2012-10-10T14:49:57Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Are you referring to the US? Because that’s not universal. There are other places besides the US??!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-dr-who-fans/637215.md?page=4)