Doctor Who casting director Andy Pryor isn’t concerned about the social media criticism over its race-swapped Isaac Newton featured in the second 60th anniversary special.
In the second of three planned specials, dubbed “Wild Blue Yonder,” featured The Doctor (David Tennant) meeting Newton. The real-life historical figure is portrayed by Nathaniel Curtis (The Witcher: Blood Origin), and his casting as a white man led to a certain degree of criticism online. Speaking about the situation with Digital Spy, Pryor revealed how it was showrunner Russell T Davies who had the idea of bringing in Curtis as Newton. Pointing out that the sci-fi series is “not a historical drama,” Pryor also noted, “I think it’s a sort of rather cheeky, but fun interpretation of Isaac Newton… Let’s just have some fun with it. Nathaniel was very game. He’s a fan of the show. Such a lovely guy, and he had a great time.”
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“It’s sad that we’re in a time where people villainize minorities,” Pryor continued, commenting on how the best way to deal with the negative comments is to simply tune it out. “This sort of chatter, I’m very good at kind of tuning it out. And I’m also very, very happy to block people on [X]. I don’t really have any time for bigotry at all.”
Pryor previously addressed similar criticism concerning the casting of trans actor Yasmin Finney as Rose, companion to David Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor. He now explains that it’s “more important” to be inclusive with the show’s casting, despite what some on social media might say. Pryor says that the online discourse is basically a “game,” and he’s not going to play ball.
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“It then becomes even more important to give people a voice and for people to be represented, especially for young people growing up who might be trans or from any minority,” he said. “If they can see themselves on screen, then that can be a huge lifeline for some people. That can make them feel part of the world, which indeed they are. Social media is a bit of a dangerous place because I think people get sucked into saying things that I don’t know that they truly believe? It just becomes a game for them. Unfortunately, real life isn’t a game, and I think it’s important to stand up for people who are marginalized.”
The first two Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials, “The Star Beast” and “The Wild Blue Yonder,” are streaming on Disney+. The third of the trilogy, “The Giggle,” premieres on Dec. 9, 2023.
Source: Digital Spy
Doctor Who
The adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.
- Release Date
- November 23, 1963
- Cast
- Jodie Whittaker , Peter Capaldi , pearl mackie , Matt Smith , David Tennant , Christopher Eccleston
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
- Genres
- Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi
- Rating
- TV-PG
- Creator
- Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber and Donald Wilson
