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There are only two black actors in England according to all the BBC shows I've been watching.
Deaf dumb and blind boy
Haven't heard this, not that I don't believe it. So, you're saying the BBC was considering hiring a black actor, specifically? And that the two black actors in the running learned that the BBC wanted a black actor, then removed themselves from consideration?Originally Posted by Chux
There are only two black actors in England according to all the BBC shows I've been watching.
HA! HA! I AM USING THE INTERNET!!1
My Backloggery
Stringer Bell motherfuckers.
Electronic cigarette.
And Richard Ayoade?
I'd say Chiwetel Ejiofor
Electronic cigarette.
I think I only know him from Serenity.
BBC bosses were “desperate” to cast a black Doctor Who, it was revealed last night.
But the politicially correct move was foiled when the two top targets snubbed the role.
That left the door open for virtually unknown white actor Matt Smith to land the prized part.
Now the attempts to choose the 11th Time Lord on the grounds of race have come under fierce attack.
Robin Tilbrook of the English Democrats said: “The BBC take our money and then try to impose their views and values on us. It’s a creeping form of social engineering.”
And Doctor Who fan Alex Hooker, of St Albans, Herts, fumed: “What on Earth has a trendy, right-on recruitment policy got to do with sci-fi entertainment?
“They should just have gone for the best man for the role.
“It is extremely patronising to black actors to think they can’t compete for roles on ability alone.”
We can reveal that the selection process became a battle between BBC chiefs and show producers.
Key executives were keen to break new ground by casting a black actor.
But the hotly-tipped front-runners – Survivors actor Paterson Joseph, 44, and Kinky Boots star Chiwetel Ejiofor, 34 – both ruled themselves out of the running.
They would not commit to the role in the long term. But sources say there were also fears of “tokenism”.
However, it enabled Doctor Who’s new executive producers Steven Moffatt, 47, and Piers Wenger, 36, to turn to Party Animals star Matt, 26.
He takes the high-profile role in 2010, replacing David Tennant, 37, and will stay in the show for three series – or at least five years.
BBC spin doctors have made a big play that Matt was the first choice of the programme-makers.
But a BBC source said: “The key phrase is ‘programme-makers’ – some executives were desperate for a black actor to take the role.
“Paterson and Chiwetel were both at the top of the list, though both ended up ruling themselves out once they found out what would be expected of them.
“There’s no doubt that one or other of them would have walked into the role had they not done so.
“Once they were out of the running the producers went to Plan B – a young unknown who would happily commit to the part long term.”
The Beeb’s so-called “colourblind” casting policy allows historical fact to be ignored so an actor can be cast on the basis of their ability, rather than the colour of their skin.
It has been adopted in other BBC dramas, with black actors appearing in Merlin and Robin Hood.
And last year’s Christmas Day episode of Doctor Who – set in Victorian England – featured a black girl called Rosita, played by Velile Tshabalala, 24.
A BBC spokesman said: “Stephen Moffatt knew Matt Smith was right for the part as soon as he walked in.
“Matt got the role because he’s the best man for ther job.”
Deaf dumb and blind boy
I don't think it's at all unusual to cast by race, but obviously if you're doing that in one breath and saying you're color blind in another that's pretty hypocritical.
Half season is over! Ponds is gone! I liked every one of the episodes, and enjoyed the stand alone nature. We haven't had that in a while. The last episode didn't resonate as much as I would have thought, especially since I quite liked and will miss them. Maybe all the two part episodes that accompanied big changes in the past desensitized me. Or maybe it was the fact that they've been leaving for leaving for like 8 episodes now. Since the minotaur episode, really. Liked the noir style episode regardless.
Previews showed Oswin not as a Dalek but in period garb. Lame and confusing.
Sausage-in-training
I think being the first black Doctor would be kind of a Big Deal. I'm surprised any actor would take offense, even if the BBC's motives were upfront.
It was definitely one of the better-written episodes this season (so far, all of the Weeping Angels stories have been above par), although I agree the Ponds' departure was weirdly underwhelming. It was rather sudden, although the Doctor's reaction was suitably heartbreaking. It's always rough to see him get upset like that. It wasn't Doomsday or anything though (I still get a lump in my throat during that final scene between Tennant's Doctor and Rose on the beach).
As soon as he said "I don't know, CHANGE THE FUTURE!" I knew she was about to get crazy, and it did.
Also Tennant and Rose on the beach is heartbreak city.
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