Does Russell T Davies Regret Not Casting a Female Doctor Who? | Edinburgh TV Festival

Russell T Davies discusses whether or not he regrets not casting a female Doctor Who during his tenure as writer of the show.
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[@Ray03595]

Great answer from Russell for not giving an answer that would only serve to satisfy the questioner. He made good casting choices and rightfully stuck by the decisions he made.

[@TheMoonRover]

It would've been a bad idea for Russel T Davies to cast a female Doctor in 2005. Bringing back a show which had been off-air for years, he'd want it to be as familiar as possible to reassure the audience. All previous Doctors had been male, and so he cast a male ninth Doctor. Then of course Christopher Eccleston left after 1 series, so the show was still new when casting the tenth Doctor, so he had to be male too. By the time David Tennant was leaving, the show was well established, and perhaps it could afford to start making more controversial decisions, but by that point RTD was leaving too so it wasn't his decision to make.

[@SammyPebbles]

Casting a woman was contrived and silly. Should've never been done

[@nightowl8477]

Exactly! The 12th Doctor could have been a woman, but any time before that and the show was too young. Doctor Who, now, is uncancellable. We can take risks like a female Doctor. It's why the "It's About Time" marketing annoyed me. They made out as though Steven and Russell should have casted a female Doctor, which is ludicrous! 12, maybe. But 13 is the second best possible time in the show's history to cast a woman (the 2nd Doctor being the first haha.)

[@8LiterallyJustTheNumber8]

Let's not forget that at that point it was considered controversial that Matt Smith was as young as he was whilst being cast. The 11th Doctor wondering if he was a girl during his first scene was more than enough at that point in time.

[@z-rex6068]

@@SammyPebbles Yep, I’d hate to think what Rose’s reaction would be that the Doctor is now a female lol. They should’ve set a female Doctor Who in another universe, not in a universe where the Doctor was established as a male for 50+ years. The show looks unrecognisable nowadays, and hardly anyone watches it.

[@ysthafellgynghori8423]

@@z-rex6068 I watch it. Chibnall did a great job in rescuing the show from the rubbish tip after Moffat's tenure. The idea of a female Doctor was not contrived nor silly. No worse than turning the Master into a female.

[@wibblywobblytimeywimey4669]

Ahhhh! I’m so EXCITED for his return! The show’s been crying out for help for years.

[@pastorbri]

more so than ever after what chris has done

[@zohoro96]

Thats what you get for making the doctor a FEMALE and an OLD MAN like what a joke 😂

[@Al-mx1uo]

@@zohoro96 what a highly prejudice remark. Russell would be embarrassed.

[@zohoro96]

@@Al-mx1uo as he should im just telling the fact thats all

[@Al-mx1uo]

@@zohoro96 so you know you're prejudiced, and you're fine with that

[@Pancake3225]

Eccleston and Tennant were both what the show needed at that specific point in time, nothing needs to be rewritten. I wouldn’t change either of them.

[@mellchiril]

To be honest, if anyone could make a decent female Doctor, it'd probably be Russell. He doesn't really seem to shy away from controversy and doesn't really seem like the type who would want to make everything politically correct. You might actually see a badass female Doctor, maybe somewhat along the lines of Gwen Cooper or something like that, she was rather badass in Torchwood. Back in 2005 or 2006 it might not have been the best decision, it might've been a bit too confusing seeing as DW was just starting back up... but if we could ever dream of Russell returning to DW (I know he most likely won't but... a girl can dream, can't she?) then I think he'd be able to do it, and do it well. Then again, it can't get much worse than what we're getting with the current Doctor.

[@kjmmxii123]

Our prayers have been answered! I can't believe he's returning, I've just binged through his entire run in the last few weeks.

[@corbinhoevers]

Well to be fair, Jodie Whittaker is a pretty good female Doctor with some well written dialogue. I personally think she just doesn’t get the best overarching storylines.

[@ChavinMedina]

Glad to be able to say that RTD will be returning!! Yayyy!!!

[@pastorbri]

trouble is, the dr is male

[@Fooq]

Your dream has come true! XD :D

[@danielbillingsley8073]

People ask some ridiculous questions. He was the right showrunner to bring back the programme, considering he was a huge fan and was passionate about it, campaigned for its return and was a good writer. The show definitely gained a new generation of fans and popularity (myself included). Since then I have seen his other work, and have been blown away by some of the stories he has been able to tell. 🙂

[@aikikaname6508]

He opened himself up to it when he said he felt old fashioned about writing a male doctor. It’s a perfectly fair question and he gave a good answer

[@nightowl8477]

He's a mad genius.

[@robinnes2662]

HE'S BACK!!!

[@FistOfFiori]

2:20 "I'm trying to work a drama about the AIDS crisis in the 80s which is a script which is proving hard to get right" - Oh RTD, it was superb. couple years after this but he got there :) Anyway now that he's back to Who, we shall see! If he casts a female Doctor that is. I do like the 13th Doctor but RTD would probably do far better with a female Doctor.

[@martinwood744]

I hadn't checked the date of this video and when he said they had an announcement to make and that they were being a bit naughty I thought he was going to let the cat out of the bag about his imminent return to Doctor Who!

[@D50Music]

Long live the king

[@archydragon5213]

My question would be when will u retire or quit doctor who writing

[@ajax4887]

Hopefully soon 🤞

[@bmvthemoviefanatic7282]

So this was recorded in 2017, FOUR YEARS before "It's A Sin"! Really loved that RTD plays the long game and releases projects when they are ready.

[@purefoldnz3070]

Never force your casting to tick a box. Its patronizing and asinine

[@Rowan_Smith]

I don't regret him casting Jodie Whittaker one bit Peter to Jodies regeneration was epic however I do regret whatever the hell Chris Chibnall ever thought he was doing with Doctor who !!

[@spiralx6249]

It turned out OK. 5 million viewers for every episode, on average. Always in the top 10 or 20 watched BBC programmes. And then, a Disney+ cash injection, based on the BBC wanting DW to go bigger.

[@HCProds1]

I think a female doctor could have worked, unfortuantely the writing let her down which brought the performance down. Almost feels like she was miscast. Thankfully 14 and 15 are men so we're good for a few years at least

[@Squicx]

Honestly I hope Russell goes back to writing for a male Doctor after 13, but I guess we'll see how it goes

[@spiralx6249]

I don't. About time we dispensed with that whole gender appropriation thing. So last century.

[@HCProds1]

@@spiralx6249 I think a female doctor could have worked, unfortuantely the writing let her down which brought the performance down. Almost feels like she was miscast. Thankfully 14 and 15 are men so we're good for a few years at least

[@spiralx6249]

@@HCProds1 - not at all. 13 combined 2's whimsy with the affable cheeriness of 5, so ( like those personas), easy to under-estimate. But, as always, plus that steely determination to make things right. The writing was much as usual. Some good. Some meh.

[@AlBion-rw9kd]

Tennant become the sort of mega-star you'd with a pop star. Bringing him back for a short period after Jodie Shittaker is an obvious admission that a female Doctor Who doesn't work

[@sibionic]

Is he really such an amazing writer?

[@Ronariverah]

Excellent. On my favourites , doesn't have to be enjoyed by everyone as entertainment is subject.

[@beanie9040]

Russell come back to us and save us from this travesty!!! The most iconic season has been ruined! We are all crying out for some great writing!!! Jodie Whittaker is a great actress but the writing is so bad... 😭😭😭

[@MichaelM28]

Correction: Jodie Whittaker is a terrible actress and the writing is so bad

[@jayzee6617]

@@MichaelM28 In your humble opinion...Other opinions are available...

[@paulquast4004]

Your prayer has been answered!!

[@toqkaizogou1636]

Guess what?

[@timetraveller07]

Well, He came back officially to save Doctor Who!

[@Darkwintre]

So why not cast someone as Susan instead? Truthfully if it wasn't for the BBC I would have more hope for his involvement, but I just can't see them letting him course correct that rubbish but maybe he can find a medium that isn't as ridiculous as Chibs!

[@friendlyotaku9525]

He wouldn't even want to "course correct" considering he loves the current iteration and RTD is as "woke" as they come so I fully expect his new era to have a lot of inclusivity and most likely casting a woman as the Doctor because absolutely!

[@pastorbri]

@@friendlyotaku9525 oh hope ur wrong!!!!!!

[@riverkyler]

Russell is my canon. Moffat is bearable. Cannibal is trash.

[@DavrK]

I know you didn't say you dislike him, but why do so many people dislike the Moffat era? Like yeah, it got pretty bad after season 8, but the other seasons are pretty great imo

[@lukeevans6070]

@@DavrK Same reason most people dislike Zack Snyder...very few people truly understand genius as statistically almost 90% are below average IQ...way of the world unfortunately

[@riverkyler]

@@DavrK Moffat resorts to the "a wizard did" argument too easily. Try to create Rose Tylers without success, it is boring, redundant. Although it was bearable. What we have now is pure NWO and sheep saying that my IQ is low for not supporting trash.

[@TracyBeakerMemories]

@DarvK He overcomplicated things and the characters weren't as reliable or believable as the RTD era. Plot ideas weren't that strong in comparison. Still 1000000000000000x better than Chibnall's crap.

[@SammyPebbles]

"Moffat is bearable" oh wow

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

He should regret how he and his cohorts treated not just The 9th Doctor but also the crew who worked for them

[@friendlyotaku9525]

Now that he is showrunner again he has the ultimate opportunity to cast a woman in the role and I definitely think he will! Based on what he has said and written i think it is very likely and I could see it either being T'nia Miller or Lydia West, both whom I think would be brilliant!

[@sweiland75]

That experiment has proven to be a complete disaster.

[@friendlyotaku9525]

@@sweiland75 Okay, sexist. And don't be like "Oh i'm not sexist!" when you very clearly are based on what you just said. but no it hasn't proven to "be a complete disaster" so that's just factually untrue anyway.

[@dbnathan5]

@@friendlyotaku9525 it's not untrue. You are just an ideologue.

[@friendlyotaku9525]

@@dbnathan5 it is untrue. And if you are going to be sexist you should not even watch Doctor Who because the Doctor does NOT stand for that

[@Sousabird]

The shows ratings have tanked, along with general perception. The writing is weaker than ever. If you feel the need to dismiss criticism by refuting the person and not the critique, than you're dumber than Chibnall. Feel free to call me a sexist without merit, because I don't respect your values judgements.

[@glennlove5202]

He was more concerned with good writing and stories, making money You know instead of "THE MESSAGE "!!!! 😉😉😉🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nightowl8477]

David Tennant was concerned he'd be remembered as "the thirty second" Doctor, because a second series seemed so unlikely. *It was too early for a female Doctor.* But if 12 or 13 were women? That'd work. Glad we got there.

[@pastorbri]

also the character is male

[@kinocrone7275]

@@pastorbri The character is just that, a character, and it is whatever whoever's writting it wants it to be. Since the doctor has been female, the doctor can be both. That is how writing works

[@pastorbri]

@@kinocrone7275 so we could and should have a male wonder woman too then! Yes? After all That is how writing works

[@skapb]

@@pastorbri Wonder woman, as a character, doesn’t change her entire physical appearance every 5 years

[@pastorbri]

@@skapb and yet....several actresses have played her...so your wrong!

[@HCProds1]

I think a female doctor could have worked, unfortuantely the writing let her down which brought the performance down. Almost feels like she was miscast. Thankfully 14 and 15 are men so we're good for a few years at least

[@STEVEBINNION1]

what a great Liar 🦊

[@alansmithee419]

As far as female doctors for RTD2, I think he made the right call to switch it back to male - having two female doctors in a row probably would've (unfortunately) been a disaster (because of both Chibnall and some idiots). But I think he should absolutely do a female doctor before he leaves again - maybe just after Ncuti. Honestly I'd be glad if the Chibnall era has kicked out the idiots. Unfortunately some of them seem intent on sticking around and ruining the fun for everyone else. "If I can't enjoy the show no one can!"

[@harryjamessinclair2345]

Will be interesting to see if he casts a woman now he's back in charge

[@lightkikib3355]

I feel like he has to, going back to a male Doctor right after Whittaker and her - admittedly - underwhelming run would only vindicate the NMD crowd who have been clamouring since 2017 that a female doctor can't be a thing... They can do whatever they want after the 14th, but going back to a male actor after only one female actress who had a shot at the role would be a tad bit too soon

[@harryjamessinclair2345]

@@lightkikib3355 yeah you're probably right

[@friendlyotaku9525]

I think so. I don't think he would let an opportunity like that go!

[@pastorbri]

bloody hope he doesn't

[@harryjamessinclair2345]

@@pastorbri why lol

[@Leebearify]

WOW I id NOT know that at all!! I am in the USA and I think it is time to dump HBO completely. Thank you Russell. I guess all of those stupid annoying commercials save us from "something" !!

[@debonaire_nerd]

if Russell had cast a female in a role that had long been reserved for a male...it's pretty clear what the "T" in Russell T. Davies would have stood for.

[@jackrichardson7020]

What does that even mean?

[@debonaire_nerd]

@@jackrichardson7020 Oh, Jack.....it must have been SOME upbringing. Jack.....get a lot of....shall we say...assistance?! JACK....

[@ShelledHandle]

teriffic

[@wardjunior1450]

It proved to be a bad idea through and through.

[@SithScorp]

The Doctor is a male character. Just as James Bond is a male character. The experiment this last time around proved that making the Doctor a woman is a failed premise. Want a female time lord? Make an entirely new character. The problem with this last iteration is that the showrunners thought it was more important to make a female Doctor, rather than a good Doctor.

[@greypilgrim228]

Exactly, Doctor Who is a well established male character (hopefully Russel retcons jodies Doctor or at least the worst aspects of it, like the timeless children revelation), I'm so sick of these woke producers and directors coming into well established fandoms and changing them to fit their agenda just for more "inclusivity" or "gender equality", make your own characters! I'd be perfectly fine with a female Timelord, it could be a chance to create an entirely new show parallel with the Doctor, they could even cross episodes occasionally when warranted (take Buffy the Vampire Slayer for example, characters from both Buffy and Angel would appear in each others series, allowing the audience to know where the timeline currently was in the other.)

[@h0lly_blue]

*(laughs in Missy)*

[@greypilgrim228]

@@h0lly_blue (laughs in GetTheFuckOut) Missy sucked ass, no offence to the actress as Michelle Gomez rocks & did the best she could with the script provided.

[@Ba-pb8ul]

stop watching

[@SithScorp]

@@Ba-pb8ul I did, as did a great many others. Ratings tanked horribly. Merch sales tanked horribly. Not a sign of success, which is what I refer to.

[@pogigwapo5093]

MDWGA

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

The BBC wasn’t woke enough back then. 😉 I do think Russell was a good producer on Dr. Who. Also I liked “Queer as Folk”(don’t think that could be made now). However, I am not onboard with the whole female Doctor thing.

[@TracyBeakerMemories]

I have no issues with the Doctor being a woman seeing that Missy was so great. But I don't think Jodie was a great choice for the role and Chibnall is a worse writer than most 12 year olds.

[@SammyPebbles]

Yeah, making the character a woman was such a contrived and stupid mistake. It's gonna age this era of the show like a turd in the sun

[@beanie9040]

@@SammyPebbles No it's not the choice of having a woman as a doctor (personally I think that Jodie Whittaker is a great actress for Doctor Who). It's the choice of the writer... Chibnal has ruined two iconic seasons and the only person that can save us now is Russell Davis 😭😭

[@pastorbri]

or me

[@pastorbri]

@@TracyBeakerMemories The master can take over bodies, so its ok for him to gender swap.....the dr doesn't.

[@pastorbri]

why would he wish to be the one to damage the franchise like chris has?

[@jujublue4426]

Because the quality of the franchise is not limited to what the Doctor have between their legs ?

[@pastorbri]

@@jujublue4426 funny how Jodie fans think more of genitals than normal dr who fans

[@spiralx6249]

No damage done, at all. In fact, on the back of the BBC wanting to go big, Disney+ threw in some money. DW continues to thrive. As always.

[@pastorbri]

@@spiralx6249 and yet the ratings suggest otherwise old chap.

[@spiralx6249]

@@pastorbri - not significantly, no, they don't.

[@vxCrusaderxv]

#RipDoctorWho

[@HCProds1]

Christ, I bet the PC wokes loved that question

[@rocstar2001]

Depends whether Russell wanted to destroy a show based on extremist political ideology. Chibnall/Whittaker have done just that, look at the ratings and reviews....

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

What ideology though?

[@Alto53]

RTD is just as bad as Chibnal. The guy injects left leaning social ideologies into every show he makes.

[@spiralx6249]

​​@@Alto53- get over it. DW has always been progressive. Atomic war and genocide, in that first Dalek story. Environmental pollution, in Planet of Giants", and "Green Death". Viral pandemic dangers with the Monoids. AI dangers with WOTAN. And now today, sexual politics as well.

[@mistsmogguru8378]

Tired of woke !! Tired of this sickness !!

[@pastorbri]

here here

[@crimsoncomet3756]

@@pastorbri where??

[@pastorbri]

@@crimsoncomet3756 in modern dr who, its all the abuse of woke.

[@amyclarke41]

yo