Two days ago was International Women's Day. I know the day wasn't for me, chiefly because I'm not a woman (although I am occasionally international), but I understand the reasons behind it and the goals it hopes to achieve - to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and to promote a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
With that last point in mind I shared this on Facebook...
It linked to this article written by my fellow WarpedFactor contributor Nick Brent. You'll see that at the time 300+ people had 'liked' it and it was shared left right and centre by lots of others. All round happy days, right? Yeah, notsomuch!
Now I don't think anyone who knows me would instantly label me as a feminist, or even think of me as being overly politically correct (I'm very probably not) but I don't have a single issue whatsoever with the casting of a female as the Doctor, and I really struggle to get my head around those that do. After all, we've seen and heard multiple times that Time Lords can change gender. They are not human, they are not tied to our rules, they can do this. My only concern with whoever is cast as the Doctor is that they are the right person for the part, that they are someone who brings something new and unique to the character and someone who moves the show forward, just as every single actor who has played the role to date has done. Whether it's a man or woman, whether they are British or non-British I do not mind. Neither race, colour, sexual orientation or creed is a concern to me. All I really, honestly care about is are they a great, capable actor/actress? And that is it.
I completely trust whoever at the time is responsible for the casting of the Doctor, as 13 for 13 they've got it right. Which means that higher up in the BBC echelons they are thankfully putting the right people in charge of the show and doing their job responsibly. So if Chris Chibnall decides to cast a openly-gay female African-American as the next Doctor I can be damned sure he's not doing it just to grab headlines but because he believes this person is the best person to bring his ideas to the screen and keep this show going for many more years.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that stunt casting in Doctor Who doesn't happen today, of course it happens, but only when it comes to guest stars, one-off appearances, not when it comes to the Doctor. Never. Christopher Eccleston was well known when he was cast as the Ninth Doctor, that fame was not ever the factor in RTD's decision to cast him. Same goes with Peter Capaldi and the Moff picking him. They were cast as they are both amazing actors. Fame, prestige and the headlines associated with the casting was secondary and a great bonus. Simple as that. (I'll give you John Hurt's War Doctor. Being that he was only ever intended to appear the once I suspect there was a little bit of the stunt casting about that one - but no one can deny that he is also an amazing actor, and really who'd swap him? No one, that's who. He's a legend and we're lucky to have him.)
Still, with all this said, in just the same way that International Women's Day isn't about me, I fully understand we are not living on William's World. This Earth doesn't turn by my guiding hand, more's the pity, and we are all entitled to our own opinion. If the thought of a female Doctor doesn't cut it with you then that's cool, each to their own, and as expected many people said just that in the comments attached to the post.
But several others felt the need to take it just that step further, to throw insults and degrading comments. Not towards me but towards women in general. I'm not going to focus on any specific negativity, I don't want to give any examples the air time, per se, I'd rather just urge anyone to step back from the keyboard and not do that. Instead, try to be kind and groovy to each other.
Or maybe, simply, ask yourself, what would the Doctor do?
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