SAN DIEGO -- Jodie Whittaker's casting as the first female Doctor may have been a bold leap forward for Doctor Who. But for one former inhabitant of the role, it wasn't a leap far enough.
A black Doctor "should have happened by now as well," sixth Doctor Colin Baker said in response to a question from the audience at San Diego Comic-Con. And he went further by suggesting it wouldhappen next.
SEE ALSO:Who's she! Jodie Whittaker is the first female Doctor and it makes total sense"The white male dominance of the role has been nothing if not timid," Baker said on a panel devoted to classic-era Doctor Who, in response to a pointed inquiry about representation in Doctor Whofrom a black member of the audience.
"But now they've broken the bravery barrier ... all I can say is, watch the next regeneration."
All 13 actors in the role of the Doctor, a shape-shifting Time Lord from Gallifrey, have been caucasian males -- although it has now been established in the show that Time Lords can change their race as well as their gender.
'They've broken the bravery barrier'
Whittaker's appointment as the 13th Doctor was the main topic of conversation at a Comic-Con panel devoted to the 1963-89 era of the show.
Peter Davison, the fifth Doctor, said it was important to understand the concerns of fans who were outraged by a female regeneration of the TARDIS-bound Time Lord.
"You have to give fans time to adjust," said Davison, who noted that he was criticized in his era (1981-84) for being too young to play the Doctor. (He retained the crown of youngest Doctor until Matt Smith stepped into the role in 2010.)
Sophie Aldred, who played the seventh Doctor's companion Ace, offered the ultimate perspective by pointing out that she'd grown up as a fan of third Doctor Jon Pertwee, and initially didn't accept his successor in the role. "Tom Baker! Who's that?" she remembered saying.
But Colin Baker was by far the most enthusiastic about Whittaker's ascension and what it could portend. In an interview, he confessed that he didn't expect the BBC to allow a woman in the role, because too many of the network's shows are created by a committee, even as he praised her as an actor.
"Give her a chance," Baker implored fans of the 13th Doctor. "She'll surprise you."
TopicsDoctor Who
(责任编辑：綜合)
Despite IOC ban, Rio crowds get their political messages acrossEveryone hates Facebook's 'Year in Review,' not just you
PewDiePie plans to delete his very, very popular YouTube channel Friday'Superstore' Training Videos: Watch new digital episodes from NBCThe Weeknd teases new music in Instagram postFelix the cat just raised £5000 for charity because she's the hero we all need
LONDON -- Remember Felix, the Huddersfield train station cat who got promoted to Senior Pest Control
...[详细]The 'Overwatch' winter event kicks off on Dec. 13 (probably)
Here's hoping one of Reaper's holiday-themed voice lines is "Ho! Ho! Ho!"。Overwatch 。will seemingly k
...[详细]Starbucks just liquified the grossest holiday food
Some traditions just won't die. 。The fruitcake has long been the annoying friend of the Christmas wor
...[详细]Donald Trump gets crafty with scotch tape on his ties
LONDON -- Nothing to see here, just a post poking fun at the fact that the billionaire President-ele
...[详细]Dressage horse dancing to 'Smooth' by Santana wins gold for chillest horse
Okay forget everyone else -- this horse named Lorenzo is our favorite Olympic athlete now.。Lorenzo,
...[详细]YouTube says all those ads you watch are worth it
Music streaming subscriptions are on the rise, but YouTube isn't intimidated.。The video giant report
...[详细]The first photo from a new Earth
A brand new satellite orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth's surface has just opened its eyes. 。Dig
...[详细]Donald Trump gets crafty with scotch tape on his ties
LONDON -- Nothing to see here, just a post poking fun at the fact that the billionaire President-ele
...[详细]Olympian celebrates by ordering an intimidating amount of McDonald's
It's no secret that Olympians have to eat clean for years to ensure they're at peak physical conditi
...[详细]Donald Trump believed a WWE storyline which explains a lot
While this will hardly come as a surprise to anyone who has followed Donald Trump's tweets, an eight
...[详细]5 people Tim Cook calls for advice on running the biggest company in the world
Here's the deal behind that viral parade of dancing children's characters
