Fictional characters have evolved from regular Caucasians actors in Hollywood to a more diverse pallets of actors. This can be seen in major movies and TV shows like Doctor Who, James Bond, Captain America. This paper will use the progression Doctor Who from the usual Male Caucasian actors to an African actor. The character of the Doctor from the British television series has evolved from a White male Time Lord to embracing different identities including a female and African Doctor Who (Ng 2014, 169). This change reflects the landscape of global media, where diversity play a crucial role. The following paragraphs will discuss the gender, race, age of Doctor Who and how it influences audience.
The gender representation of the doctor in Doctor Who has undergone significant changes over time. Initially, this role was exclusively played by male actors, the character reflected the gender norms and expectations of earlier television eras. Neil Hogan discusses how “a focus on gender studies is lacking”. Emphasizing the importance of examining how gender dynamics influence audience perceptions and character development. It was later addressed after a couple years by casting of Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor, a move that make as a historical and significant shift for the series. By the production of the series introducing a female doctor, doctor who not only challenged traditional gender roles but also expanded the character’s narrative potential and resonated with a broader, more diverse audience. This change shows the ability of the series to in cooperate different genders.
The series has seen different regenerations of the doctor with each bringing a unique depth and meaning to the character. The Doctor was shown as a youthful and energetic character, showcasing his adventurous spirit in the show’s early years. However, as the series progressed, the doctor’s age become vaguer, with regenerations allowing the character to be portrayed by actors of different ages. The older incarnations of the doctor, such as the ninth doctor played by Christopher Eccleston and the tenth doctor played by David Tennant, brought a sense of wisdom, knowledge and experience that contrasted with youthful exuberance of earlier versions (Muir 2007, 396). This shift not only added depth to the character but also challenged traditional notions of aging in the media.
The Doctor’s racial representation in Doctor Who has significantly evolved over the years. Initially, the character was portrayed by white actors, reflecting the overuse casting of Caucasian casting norms of the time. “These films hold very diverse relationships” an observation that is deeply relevant when discussing the evolving racial representation of the doctor in Doctor Who (Ng, 2014, 166). However, the casting Jodie Whittaker as the thirteenth doctor in 2017 marked as a groundbreaking shift, introducing a female and nonwhite incarnation of the doctor 1. Andrew Hock Soon Ng notes, the introduction of a non-Caucasian doctor not only diversified the character’s racial representation but also challenged traditional casting practices in television. The diverse relationships that the doctor now embodies showcase the series commitment to reflecting a multi-cultural society, breaking away from the conventional norms of its past.
Throughout its history, Doctor Who has undergone significant transformations in terms of age, gender, and race representation. Initially, the doctor was predominantly portrayed by middle-aged Caucasian males, reflecting the casting norms of that era. Gender-wise, the character’s shift from exclusively male actors to a female doctor with the casting of Jodie Whittaker marked a groundbreaking moment for the series, challenging traditional genders roles and expanding the character’s identity. In terms of race, the series also saw a significant evolution, moving from a predominantly white cast to more diverse representation, such as the introduction of a diverse doctor.
In conclusion, the transformation of Doctor Who serves as a reflection of broader evolutions in the present media representation, showcasing the shift from predominantly Caucasian and male actors to a more diverse and inclusive portrayal. This evolution is evident in the changes in gender, race, and age of the doctor, highlighting the series commitment to embracing diversity and challenging traditional norms. By introducing female and diverse casts, Doctor Who has expanded its narrative potential and resonated with a broader audience. These changes not only enrich the characters depth and appeal but also reflect the importance of inclusivity in media. Doctor Who remains a testament of the power of diversity in the series industry.
REFRENCES
Kutlu, Tugce. “The Feminine State of Ethnicity: Changing Ethnic Representations in Doctor Who.” Universal Journal of Literature and Linguistics (2022): 43-52.
NG, ANDREW HOCK SOON. “Doctor Who and Race.” (2014): 169.
Hogan, Neil. “How have scholarly debates about Doctor Who audiences and gender evolved over time?.”
Muir, John Kenneth. A critical history of Doctor Who on television. McFarland, 2007.
Lakpa Sherpa
The Critique of Doctor Who
The submission critique effectively analyzes Doctor Who’s evolution in terms of gender, race, and age representation. The student highlights the shift from predominantly Caucasian male portrayals to more diverse representations, including female and nonwhite actors, portraying this progression as a reflection of broader changes in societal norms around diversity and inclusivity in media. The student notes that these casting choices have expanded the show’s narrative potential, allowing Doctor Who to resonate with a wider, more diverse audience. This perspective is both relevant and insightful, demonstrating an understanding of how character diversity can enhance storytelling and audience engagement.
The student’s key arguments highlight the effects of these changes, especially regarding the broadening of the show’s appeal. He employs academic resources such as NG and Hogan in the discussion, particularly on the character’s portrayal in terms of gender and race. This use of sources serves to strengthen his critique by presenting an argument backed by academic references, demonstrating an awareness of literature in the field. However, the student could have gone further in explaining how such changes impacted the fandom dynamics, which is a significant aspect of Doctor Who popular culture. This would have enriched his analysis and helped him to explore this further.
The two images chosen are relevant to the change in the character of the show as one depicts the traditional portrayal and the other represents modern diversity. These visuals strengthen the argument the student is making, thus making it more persuasive. In general, the submission offers a balanced assessment, although the focus on socio-cultural changes and the probable reactions of the audience to these shifts could have given more depth to the critique.