Doctor Who originally ran from 1963 to 1989; Twenty six years. Hundreds of stories, seven Doctors, something like 40 companions and half a dozen supporting characters featured in several seasons. How many of them were non-white? Not a single one. Perhaps the BBC is belatedly trying to restore the balance a little.
The Wednesday Play encouraged young scriptwriters like Denis Potter,and there was also Comedy Playhouse, which introduced the likes of Steptoe. But Mary Whitehouse and her followers won the day, and the Beeb has become scared of its own shadow. Too many murder mysteries now. I stopped watching Doctor Who when it became all about special effects rather than storylines, whereas it used to be quite a cheap program to make. The gender and colour of the characters don't matter.
If anyone chooses to spoil their enjoyment of a program by getting in a lather over race more fool them.
No, I'm just not going to watch it again. Not getting into a lather at all. I don't like the BBC and I certainly don't like their insidious, right on political indoctrination. Kids shows like Doctor Who should accurately reflect the UK.
I remember seeing Alison Steadman in a Production of Mike Leigh's devised Play Abigail's Party as a Play For Today. It really accelerated my love of drama and British Playwrights like Alan Ayckbourn, Dennis Potter, Willy Russell, Alan Bleasdale, Harold Pinter and John Osborne.
Surely, if they are going to put so many "coloured" people into the show, they should re-name it to "Dr Who done it"
Alison Steadman was absolutely brilliant in it. Remember Talking to a Stranger, the 4-parter by John Osborne? BBC was truly innovative then, in fact Dr Who was innovative when it first came out. I don't expect that sort of invention on the Beeb any more sadly, they need to grow a pair imo. Can you imagine something like Till Death us do Part on any TV channel now? Me neither.
