The New Doctor Who

[morpheus2]

The New Doctor Who has finally been revealed!
After what some saw as a failed woke experiment with the plummeting ratings which followed the introduction of the first female Doctor played by Jodie Whittaker, the BBC has announced the new Doctor - Ncuti Gatwa. I've personally never heard of or seen the guy but apparently he's the star of something called 'Sex Education'.
I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the Doctor and I must confess that Jodie didn't float my boat and I'm not bigoted but I just percieved her appointment and the storylines as the retconning of the show as has been happening with several other of my favourite franchises in favour of 'the message'. But good luck Ncuti whoever you are, let's get Doctor Who back to how it was (David Tennant era please) and perhaps one day we can pretend that the Jodie era was a glitch in the multiverse and is removed from being canon.

[Goobs]

Good actor and very flamboyant (in Sex Ed). Not exactly what I class as a "Doctor" from his role in Sex Ed as I expect more "geek" from the Doctor but I look forward to seeing what he does with the role.

FWIW I didn't mind Jodie as the Doctor and thought she embodied the spirit of the character quite well

[fidelcastro]

I can't believe any adult watches Doctor Who.

[Vegas Claret]

I can't believe any adult watches Doctor Who.

[fidelcastro]

Thanks Viva. Is that Tom Baker? He's much prettier than I remember!

[Vegas Claret]

Thanks Viva. Is that Tom Baker? He's much prettier than I remember!

haha brilliant, made me laugh you funny bugger

And no, it's someone called Jenna Coleman who is an absolute stunner imho (I deduct points though because she is from Blackpool!)

edit: This also became the best thread on here because she is on it

[ClaretMov]

He's done nothing in his short career, his only major part was on Netflix, can't see why he's been picked for the part.

[claptrappers_union]

I know some people who like Doctor Who, they tell me that the issue with the Jodie Whittaker ones is that they are poorly written.

[jedi_master]

He’s hilarious in Sex Education, and one of the massive issues with Whittaker for me was that she just cannot do humour. The Doctor has to be as capable of ‘funny’ as serious/charismatic.

I think he’ll be very good, especially as Russell T Davies is back producing the series.

[colne-claret]

He's done nothing in his short career, his only major part was on Netflix, can't see why he's been picked for the part.

Other than star as a lead character in a highly successful Netflix show as well as winning baftas? Strange choice.

[bobinho]

The New Doctor Who has finally been revealed!
After what some saw as a failed woke experiment with the plummeting ratings which followed the introduction of the first female Doctor played by Jodie Whittaker, the BBC has announced the new Doctor - Ncuti Gatwa. I've personally never heard of or seen the guy but apparently he's the star of something called 'Sex Education'.
I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the Doctor and I must confess that Jodie didn't float my boat and I'm not bigoted but I just percieved her appointment and the storylines as the retconning of the show as has been happening with several other of my favourite franchises in favour of 'the message'. But good luck Ncuti whoever you are, let's get Doctor Who back to how it was (David Tennant era please) and perhaps one day we can pretend that the Jodie era was a glitch in the multiverse and is removed from being canon.

So if appointing Whittaker was a failed woke experiment, why would they do it again? If that IS what they are doing again….

[claretblue]

let's get Doctor Who back to how it was (David Tennant era please)

William Hartnell

[gawthorpe_view]

Better than Matt Smith?
(Blac*bu*n fan).

[ClaretMov]

Other than star as a lead character in a highly successful Netflix show as well as winning baftas? Strange choice.

Baftas ???? It's one and it was a BAFTA Scotland award not the same at all.

Lead character in a Netflix production that is not a main stream tv area like BBC or ITV this show on Netflix started with just over 1 thousand viewers and finished with less than what most tv shows average. It can hardly be called a successful career like I originally quoted he's done nothing with no past but he's been given a iconic major role.

[ClaretMov]

I know some people who like Doctor Who, they tell me that the issue with the Jodie Whittaker ones is that they are poorly written.

Didn't do her career any good at all having to act alongside Brady Walsh

[jedi_master]

Baftas ???? It's one and it was a BAFTA Scotland award not the same at all.

Lead character in a Netflix production that is not a main stream tv area like BBC or ITV this show on Netflix started with just over 1 thousand viewers and finished with less than what most tv shows average. It can hardly be called a successful career like I originally quoted he's done nothing with no past but he's been given a iconic major role.

Sex Education was viewed by more than 55 million people and is a global smash hit. Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor Who recently got the lowest viewing figures for an episode in the entire history of the programme since it was first televised in 1963. That is not on her entirely (though she has ‘failed’ in the role), it’s because viewing habits have totally changed. Terrestrial television cannot compete in viewing figures these days to Netflix, Disney+, Apple+ and Amazon Prime.

The actor in question though is far better known globally than Jodie Whittaker was, without a doubt. Matt Smith was also a total unknown before he took the role, it’s what the actor does in the role (and crucially what the writing is like) as to whether he or she proves a success.

[Rowls]

He's done nothing in his short career, his only major part was on Netflix, can't see why he's been picked for the part.

How he landed the role was revealed on the BBC's story:

Showrunner Russell T Davies said Gatwa had impressed him in a "blazing" audition.

"It was our last audition. It was our very last one," the writer and producer said. "We thought we had someone, and then in he came and stole it.

I know some people who like Doctor Who, they tell me that the issue with the Jodie Whittaker ones is that they are poorly written.

Yup. Have to agree here. There's plenty that don't like her, plenty that worship her but I'd say a large majority who think she's done her best with poorly written guff.

The "wokeness" has intruded a bit into the Jodie era but they also had the courage to throw in a -single- episode where (for once) it's wasn't the big nasty corporation to blame for the killer robots! Quelle horreur! I enjoyed the woke Dr Who chatrooms after that episode aired.

Dr Who's always had a political bent to it - there are hamfisted allegories going back to the 60s. It's bearable if it's well written, and awfully dull when it's not.

Dr Who needs to be superbly produced on all levels for it to work. The show is so daft that the slightest of missteps and the whole things falls down.

It needs the most talented writers, best producers, most talented & charismatic actors, the finest directors etc. The Jodie era fell at the first hurdle all too often which is a crying shame.

[IanMcL]

He's done nothing in his short career, his only major part was on Netflix, can't see why he's been picked for the part.

He is both black and gay, so woman, black, gay sorted in 2 doctors.

Doctors have to be quirky and also have some sort of 'experience of the universe' look. Not sure any young person can achieve that.
Good luck to him.

Also, haven't they done away with the Tardis?
That is the one continuity.

Dr what? As of now!

[Rowls]

He is both black and gay, so woman, black, gay sorted in 2 doctors.

Doctors have to be quirky and also have some sort of 'experience of the universe' look. Not sure any young person can achieve that.
Good luck to him.

Also, haven't they done away with the Tardis?
That is the one continuity.

Dr what? As of now!

I'm not sure how "convincingly" anybody can claim to be an alien with two hearts who is somewhere over 900+ years old at last count?

Especially as said alien travels around all of time and space in a both which is bigger on the inside and externally has the shape of a mid-century British Police Box. This has not been done away with BTW.

We have suspend our disbelief at certain times for the show to work. Any box ticking that may (or may not) be going on is purely secondary to this. Only the very best in their field can pull it off.

[IanMcL]

Only the very best in their field can pull it off.

Agreed

[boatshed bill]

should have ended after William Hartnell jacked it in

[Rowls]

should have ended after William Hartnell jacked it in

They definitely ruined the continuity in season 5 when Troughton's Doctor claimed he "couldn't survive" without the Tardis.

It's never been the same since.

[Pearcey]

The show went massively downhill when Russell T Davies left. As he’s now back I might start watching again.

[Guppyspotter]

To suggest it is a woke appointment is plain racist/homophobic. Give the guy a chance; he might just have happened to have been the best at auditions! Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[Pickles]

It's fantastic casting. He's a brilliant actor, swathes of charisma, and a huge profile garnered from a principle role in one of the most successful shows of recent years.

Is there any situation for some where someone who isn't white, male and straight is given a job and it not be box-ticking?

[Rowls]

Is there any situation for some where someone who isn't white, male and straight is given a job and it not be box-ticking?

Whenever they get the job on merit. Simple.

[Pickles]

Whenever they get the job on merit. Simple.

See the first part of my post.

[Rowls]

See the first part of my post.

I saw that. Not sure what point you're making here though Pickles?

[bfcjg]

As long as the doctor can kill those pesky daleks what does is matter who/what they are.

[Pickles]

I saw that. Not sure what point you're making here though Pickles?

Okay

[Rowls]

As long as the doctor can kill those pesky daleks what does is matter who/what they are.

Well, as we've discussed they need to be an exceptional actor. I wouldn't want to see myself in the role for example.

Needs the finest writers too. That's key to it.

Very glad to see Russell T Davies back in that hotseat. He's a once in a generation talent as a writer. Truly world class.

[Rowls]

Okay

I thought you might answer the question though? I assumed you were making some kind of point?

Anyway, I'm just looking forward to the new era and I think the show will be much better with RTD pulling the strings once again.

[Pickles]

I thought you might answer the question though? I assumed you were making some kind of point?

Anyway, I'm just looking forward to the new era and I think the show will be much better with RTD pulling the strings once again.

Oh sure. The point I was making was just - "It's fantastic casting. He's a brilliant actor, swathes of charisma, and a huge profile garnered from a principle role in one of the most successful shows of recent years." Not sure why it needs any more elaboration.

I think you seem a more enthusiastic fan of Doctor Who than I am. My mate absolutely loves it and he's keen about the casting.

People who follow it are so passionate so there'll always be some sort of debate or disgruntlement one way or the other.

You're bob on about Russell T Davies!

[Pickles]

Although his body of work isn't massive! But then again, I suppose if they wanted to go younger, profile etc. Can't have both necessarily.

[Rowls]

Oh sure. The point I was making was just - "It's fantastic casting. He's a brilliant actor, swathes of charisma, and a huge profile garnered from a principle role in one of the most successful shows of recent years." Not sure why it needs any more elaboration.

I think you seem a more enthusiastic fan of Doctor Who than I am. My mate absolutely loves it and he's keen about the casting.

People who follow it are so passionate so there'll always be some sort of debate or disgruntlement one way or the other.

You're bob on about Russell T Davies!

Well, I asked you about the other part of your post but, well ... ahhh, yeah no matter.

TBH, I like what Davies said - that they were "blown away" by the audition. That's what I want to hear as a fan. You can never be sure whether he's telling the truth because it's his job to promote the show, but it's the "correct" answer to give the press even if it isn't true.

Without wanting to sound too gushing about the man, I think he's up there with Shakespeare, Dickens and Eliot in terms of his writing. I don't like all of his stuff, but it's near always faultless in it's writing. He guy ought to win a Nobel prize for his writing. If they hand out literature awards for lyrics then RTD should be a shoe-in.

[Cirrus_Minor]

Never really replaced William Hartnell but still watch the program.

[Wokingclaret]

Hoping he is good as the show needs it.

RTD please come up with some good story telling

[Wokingclaret]

Never really replaced William Hartnell but still watch the program.

I cried when Pertwee turned into Baker

[Rowls]

I cried when Pertwee turned into Baker

A tear, Wokingclaret? No, don't cry. While there's life there's...

[martin_p]

Doctors have to be quirky and also have some sort of 'experience of the universe' look. Not sure any young person can achieve that.
Good luck to him.

I don’t think he’s the youngest person the play the role. He’s older than Matt Smith was and about the same age as Peter Davison.

[IanMcL]

Didn't rate Davison. Smith was quirky, so met tge profile.

[tiger76]

Just started watching these from Eccleston's Doctor, I did catch a few eps at the time, but many I've yet to see, what I notice is the humour, and it's good RTD is returning to the writing team, he seems to get what it takes to write for this show, and the humour is a key competent.

Looks like big plans for the 60th, Tate and Tennant 2 names confirmed to be returning for the specials, and you do wonder whether they'll try and incorporate all the previous regenerations into the story, although naturally this may take CGI to achieve, but they have usually aimed big for these special anniversaries, so I sense they will make a fanfare.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Best was Eccleston. He had humour but also genuine menace of a character who had killed millions

Only Tennant and Capaldi came close after that