On Casting The Doctor
posted by Neil Gaiman
torchyvalentine asked: What would you say to Sir Ian Mckellen taking the reigns as the 12th Doctor? For that matter, who do you think would be a good actor for the character?
I think that if you’d asked me who should be the 11th Doctor 5 years ago I wouldn’t have listed Matt Smith, because I didn’t know who he was or what he was capable of, and if you’d asked me who should play Sherlock Holmes in a modern day revival around the same time I wouldn’t have said Benedict Cumberbatch, because I didn’t know who he was either.I actually like it when The Doctor is a relatively unknown actor, or one without one huge role that made them famous. A star, like Sir Ian, brings all the other roles they’ve ever played to the table when they act. Seeing John Hurt as the (Spoiler) at the end of the Name of the Doctor, meant that this was a certain type of part with a certain amount of gravitas, and you understood that John Hurt was bringing everything with it (including being John Hurt), just as Derek Jacobi did as the Master. But I like to see The Doctor as The Doctor, and an actor who doesn’t bring baggage is a grand sort of thing. A star waiting to happen. So I don’t want to see Helen Mirren or Sir Ian McKellen or Chiwetel Ejiofor, or any of the famous names people are suggesting.I want to see The Doctor. I want to be taken by surprise. I want to squint at a photo of the person online and go “but how can that be The Doctor?”. Then I want to be amazingly, delightedly, completely proven wrong, and, six episodes in, I want to wonder how I could have been so blind. Because this is the Doctor. Of course it is.
(From Tumblr. But I thought I should put it up here, too.)
Labels: Doctor Who, Doctor WHO?, Actoring
torchyvalentine asked: What would you say to Sir Ian Mckellen taking the reigns as the 12th Doctor? For that matter, who do you think would be a good actor for the character?
I think that if you’d asked me who should be the 11th Doctor 5 years ago I wouldn’t have listed Matt Smith, because I didn’t know who he was or what he was capable of, and if you’d asked me who should play Sherlock Holmes in a modern day revival around the same time I wouldn’t have said Benedict Cumberbatch, because I didn’t know who he was either.I actually like it when The Doctor is a relatively unknown actor, or one without one huge role that made them famous. A star, like Sir Ian, brings all the other roles they’ve ever played to the table when they act. Seeing John Hurt as the (Spoiler) at the end of the Name of the Doctor, meant that this was a certain type of part with a certain amount of gravitas, and you understood that John Hurt was bringing everything with it (including being John Hurt), just as Derek Jacobi did as the Master. But I like to see The Doctor as The Doctor, and an actor who doesn’t bring baggage is a grand sort of thing. A star waiting to happen. So I don’t want to see Helen Mirren or Sir Ian McKellen or Chiwetel Ejiofor, or any of the famous names people are suggesting.I want to see The Doctor. I want to be taken by surprise. I want to squint at a photo of the person online and go “but how can that be The Doctor?”. Then I want to be amazingly, delightedly, completely proven wrong, and, six episodes in, I want to wonder how I could have been so blind. Because this is the Doctor. Of course it is.
(From Tumblr. But I thought I should put it up here, too.)
Labels: Doctor Who, Doctor WHO?, Actoring
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Elizabeth
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Jun 05, 2013 08:21PM
How about a woman as the 12th Dr. Who?
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I really don't think a woman would work. I mean, I'm pretty sure the regenerations don't go across sexes. Or at least that's where my mind is. Maybe a "ginger" since he seems to want to be a ginger.
I think one of the time lords in the older series did change genders at one point.
I would like to see an unknown actor as well. Like you, I never thought Matt Smith would work, but now, I am dreading Christmas!
In comic relief's version of Dr Who - the Doctor does end up a delightful Joanna Lumley - and it's about time we had a female doctor.
Regeneration does switch sexes. Didn't you watch 'the Doctor's Wife?' He talked about the Corsair, who got Uroboros tattooed on himself, EVEN WHEN HE WAS FEMALE.But honestly, having a female Doctor could allow for more doors to be opened as a character.
Imagine a woman who dressed in a classy way, with a white shirt, brown vest and slacks, Doc Martens and steampunk style goggles in her wild curly hair.
And she'd have to be a ginger. :p
But I could totally picture this! Who else can?
Zakh: I had no idea what she might look like but now that you've described her... that's exactly what she should be like!
I like the idea of someone fairly unknown as the Doctor and a female doc is OK in my opinion but she has to be wild and crazy (as described above). It would be risky but they have made good regeneration choices in the past so I trust their judgement. Just NO ROMANCES I hate that!
I as well like that they pick a lesser known actor for the Doctor. It is always hard to shift when the Doctor regenerates. You get so used to the one current. So at first you are just naturally antagonistic toward that change. But then you get to know this new persona and he grows on you. To have it be someone really new, a new face, new voice makes him more ours, the fans. He can just be himself in a way no other role allows. I dont think a well known actor can do that as well. Also, at least for me, when an actor who has played the Doctor moves on to do other things I always first associate him with the Doctor. Would something therefore be lost with a well known actor who is associated with other roles already? It might work out okay, who knows. Perhaps we fans are so used to slowly falling in love with each regeneration that it just wouldnt be the same if it were played by someone we already know.
Oh yeah the idea of a female doctor. Now that be kewl. It would change things up a bit, especially the relationship with River. Indeed it be very interesting.
I highly doubt there will ever be another female time lord to be honest. the market seems to want to keep him male and it matches the doctor's personality better to be male to seems. and have the quirky companion. but I suppose we will all see when they decide on someone. I'm glad it won't be Cumberbatch. He's Sherlock and truth be told, he plays and AMAZING villian and I think he should always play a bad guy..him as the Master would have been BRILLIANT!
Agreed. Time Lords should be male, but vampire slayers and starship captains should be female. Go Buffy and Captain Janeway! :)
I like Zakh’s idea, a female Doctor would be great. It’d definitely add new levels of depth to the show and the characters.
There’s a certain level of zaniness that we’ve (I have at least) come to expect of the Doctor, thanks to the brilliance of actors like Tom Bake and David Tennant. I just don’t think Sir Ian has that level of oddity to him. He’s a brilliant actor and plays solid characters, but they’d be trailing behind him in our minds. The Doctor needs a bit more of a clean slate, so to speak. Relative unknowns seem to be the best casting idea, that way not only does the character evolve but so does the actor.
There’s a certain level of zaniness that we’ve (I have at least) come to expect of the Doctor, thanks to the brilliance of actors like Tom Bake and David Tennant. I just don’t think Sir Ian has that level of oddity to him. He’s a brilliant actor and plays solid characters, but they’d be trailing behind him in our minds. The Doctor needs a bit more of a clean slate, so to speak. Relative unknowns seem to be the best casting idea, that way not only does the character evolve but so does the actor.
As to unknown or not, Peter Davison was pretty well known when he took the role. I still think it should be a male. Though, as long as we have same writers, it'll probably be great!
Well said, Neil, well said! I just hope they'll find an unknown ginger!
I, too, hope the Doctor finally gets to be a ginger.
I don't want a female Doctor. It wouldn't make sense in the context of the character, and quite frankly, they'd spend the entire time focusing on what it's like for him to now be a woman rather than on having adventures in space and time.Compromise: He gets to the last of his regenerations, all male. The writers come up with a REASONABLE scifi explanation for it, and then he changes to female for another few regenerations. (Say River's regen powers are coded for female regenerations or something, IDK.) Anyways, that way people who don't want a female Doctor can pretend the series ended with 14 male Doctors, and all the people who want a female Doctor can continue watching. Everybody wins.
I'm hoping for a woman this time. That would be interesting.
here here!!! I couldn't agree more!! Though I will miss Matt!!! You as always continue to amaze me!!!Tommy
That's exactly how I feel - can't agree more.
The Doctor is a man. The female version is River Song, who is frequently portrayed as out-doctoring the Doctor. As for the homosexual doctor notions I've seen, that is already another character with his own spin off show as well. And he's British. He has to be British. All else I would say is Neil Gaiman is spot on.
Yes! I've been trying to put into words what I want (and don't) concerning the new Doctor. Thank you for having the words I didn't.Surprised but pleased is infinitely better then knowing but then displeased.
Exactly how I feel about the issue. Thanks Mr. Gaiman,for your great blog post. Being a very new Whovian, I am totally in love with the last three doctors, they all brought so much to the role of our favorite doctor. I am so with you...I want to be taken by surprise.
Agreed. I've grown up watching Doctor Who. The one aspect which always, in my opinion, enhanced the viewing and endeared the character to me was that he was portrayed by so many fresh, talented faces. Granted, I didn't know much about British actors or their resumes as a child, but having men who were unknown to me work their talents through a shared, long-lived character enhanced the enigmatic and enchanting qualities of the good old Doctor and his universe. In regard to a female doctor, there have been many fantastic female actors who've taken up roles as Timelords, especially Ms. Lumley as The Doctor in The Curse of Fatal Death, but if there were to be a female Doctor at this stage in the series it would seem as if it were more an act of appeasement than a choice of talent. That would hang ominously over the chosen actress and she'd be judged intensely by every sub-section of the fan community (because if there's one thing nerds do best, sadly, it's judge and gripe). Along with the writing required to adjust the character's universe to explain or accommodate such a change, this alteration of the character would be too jarring of a hiccup this late in the series.
Jonathan wrote: "Agreed. I've grown up watching Doctor Who. The one aspect which always, in my opinion, enhanced the viewing and endeared the character to me was that he was portrayed by so many fresh, talented fac..."I agree. I'd would be nice to see a female time lord (if they hadn't written out the existence of any other). I feel that River is suppose to be their answer to this; if so, it would be nice to see more of her though I understand the actress is busy with other projects as well.
Very well said Jonathan Sample. Perfect argument against the idea of a female doctor(especially the nasty outcry from the Doctor Who "fans.") Scary thought.
Although I will really miss Matt Smith, I agree with you Neil - well said! Hope you get to write another script for "Doctor Who"! <3
Although I will really miss Matt Smith, I agree with you Neil - well said! Hope you get to write another script for "Doctor Who"! <3
what about a child-actor?The emotions of a child, with the mind of an Advanced being.
Just not a Doogie Howser sort of child-actor, more of Young Sherlock Holmes sort of actor.
Oh, and he should be a Ginger as well.
Would Rupert Grint now be too old for such a role?
Elizabeth wrote: "How about a woman as the 12th Dr. Who?"In the episode "The Doctor's Wife" he mentions that the Corsair did regenerate into a woman once or twice, so it is possible. I think it would be a really interesting change, but as long as the actor is able to fill the roll and make it their own, I'm happy.
I'm going to be so upset to see Matt Smith leave (It's going to be a very emotional time for me). For the 12th Doctor I must agree with what's being said in this article. Someone who will take me by surprise. I personally don't want to see a female take the part as the Doctor. It just doesn't seem right (not saying that I don't believe one could do a good job).
Jonathan wrote: "...if there were to be a female Doctor at this stage in the series it would seem as if it were more an act of appeasement than a choice of talent. "This. Exactly this.
Well, I would assume we can now circumspect about the quality of the new doctor rather than his identity. I don't recall his name, I just remember he played Agent Tanner (if I recall right) in the last two Bond flicks. I don't honestly recall an agent Tanner (or whatever it was). So he is essentially unknown to me. I set my hopes high.
Brilliantly stated! I can't wait to see what the new incarnation brings us, but I'll really miss Matt Smith. I have loved his acting choices (especially in the latest seasons).
Elizabeth wrote: "How about a woman as the 12th Dr. Who?"I've been asking the same question! Why not a woman for a change?
Kirsten wrote: "I really don't think a woman would work. I mean, I'm pretty sure the regenerations don't go across sexes. Or at least that's where my mind is. Maybe a "ginger" since he seems to want to be a ginger."After one of his regenerations, the Doctor checks to see if he's still male, so it's canon that that can change.
Sarah wrote: "After one of his regenerations, the Doctor checks to see if he's still male, so it's canon that that can change. "He doesn't check to see if he's female. He made one passing comment, after seeing the length of his hair, that he might be a girl. That's NOT canon.
In point of fact, that only thing making it "canon" is the 4th's and 11th's comments about another Time Lord, Corsair, having both male and female bodies. There's never been a direct implication that the Doctor himself could do it. In fact, when Romana regenerated into Romana II, she was able to choose what her new body looked like. When the Doctor questioned this ability, she told him he should have stayed in the Time Lord Academy longer. The Doctor left to travel, didn't finishing school, and therefore can't control his regenerations. We don't know if it's even possible for the Doctor to change sex. That could have been a special ability on the part of Corsair.
Let me just add, as a newcomer to this discussion, The Doctor should be an unknown. If, perchance, the powers that be, decide to bring in a known actor, what happens when he gets a "plum" job - it will be so confusing to Doctor fans to have "him" on the show and in, lets say, a high profile movie or tv series. Also, I say give The Doctor a female regeneration - for if it doesn't work, it could simply be a one season regeneration back to male. But lets just keep it going, plain, simple and quirky.
How about a "glitch" where the doctor changes from episode to episode...they could even write it into the story as having a negative effect and he has to find some way to stop the rush of changes before he "runs out" of possible identities.
That way, actors who couldn't commit to playing the doctor for a long period of time could take on the mantle for an episode or two... good way to audition/test for a possible long-term doctors as well, as when he does "cure" himself, he could revert to one of the IDs used.
Paul, there is a Doctor Who spoof starring Rowin Atkinson that you sort of almost describe. I saw it on YouTube a couple days ago. I recommend it... funny stuff.
Rebecca Hall would make a lovely lady Doctor. and i'd pay good dollars to see The Doctor's reaction to looking in the mirror and discovering Rupert Grint.
I hate to say this but I don't think the time lord will be a woman anytime soon. I'm totally not against it. I just think that a sudden change in gender, while allowable (although, to my understanding, rare enough for it to never happen), would confuse people and be somewhat off-putting. I DON'T think it's because a lady doctor would be less interesting. I think it's because 1)I sort of imagine they wouldn't be able to stop talking about all the new physical features of being a lady and 2)the doctor would be far less relatable if he up and swapped genders because people don't generally do that. I realize he's not a human, but I'm just saying .... Idk maybe it will happen and I will be totally wrong :) On the other hand, I can very easily see the doctor being a different ethnicity when he regenerates, which would also be pretty awesome :)
Marilyn wrote: "I hate to say this but I don't think the time lord will be a woman anytime soon. I'm totally not against it. I just think that a sudden change in gender, while allowable (although, to my understand..."I agree
Catherine wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "...if there were to be a female Doctor at this stage in the series it would seem as if it were more an act of appeasement than a choice of talent. "This. Exactly this."
Wouldn't that depend on the actress? I wouldn't want to dismiss any actor or actress offhand based on a characteristic about themselves they can't control (such as gender) when they could be the best doctor we've ever seen. As long as the performance and the writing remain top notch, then I'd be happy.
That's very enlightened, but not good casting. IMHO I predict they will eventually have a woman doctor, but probably not yet.
