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How would an actor of larger build fare as the Doctor?


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Old 07-11-2016, 13:27
Thamwet
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Has anyone else ever wondered this?

I truly hope nobody is offended by this, I've not made this to poke fun at overweight people or anything, it's something I've genuinely considered.

Would an overweight actor be able to play the Doctor and be popular? Obviously a common argument against it would be that they'd be unable to handle the action scenes and the running, but I'm not convinced.

There's a presumption when encountering a larger person that said person will be badly unfit, unhealthy and unable to really do much. This is sometimes the case, yet by no means always. Go to a rugby match, you often see rather large individuals playing. Go to a nightclub, you may see a heavy set bouncer, who's very able to exert himself should the situation arise. However, if need be, the show could revert to having the Doctor as more of a professor, with a companion taking on much of the action.

So that's my question really. I know old Colin Baker got slightly portly in his second series, but in this day and age of appearances counting for too much and of judgmental tabloids and screaming fangirls (no offence fangirls), would an actor above his ideal weight be able to make a success of the role? Say if said actor had all the skills and qualities needed for the part...

What does everyone think? Personally, based on the fact we've (on the whole) had no trouble accepting an older (yet IMO very good looking ) man into the role, I'd be hopeful that on the same note, an overweight actor could do well, providing he was good enough to portray the character.

Opinions?
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Old 07-11-2016, 13:31
The Amazing
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I'm open to anyone of any shape, size, gender, ethnicity etc playing The Doctor.
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Old 07-11-2016, 13:48
Thamwet
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I'm open to anyone of any shape, size, gender, ethnicity etc playing The Doctor.
Great answer
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Old 07-11-2016, 14:27
stocklen
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Has anyone else ever wondered this?

I truly hope nobody is offended by this, I've not made this to poke fun at overweight people or anything, it's something I've genuinely considered.

Would an overweight actor be able to play the Doctor and be popular? Obviously a common argument against it would be that they'd be unable to handle the action scenes and the running, but I'm not convinced.

There's a presumption when encountering a larger person that said person will be badly unfit, unhealthy and unable to really do much. This is sometimes the case, yet by no means always. Go to a rugby match, you often see rather large individuals playing. Go to a nightclub, you may see a heavy set bouncer, who's very able to exert himself should the situation arise. However, if need be, the show could revert to having the Doctor as more of a professor, with a companion taking on much of the action.

So that's my question really. I know old Colin Baker got slightly portly in his second series, but in this day and age of appearances counting for too much and of judgmental tabloids and screaming fangirls (no offence fangirls), would an actor above his ideal weight be able to make a success of the role? Say if said actor had all the skills and qualities needed for the part...

What does everyone think? Personally, based on the fact we've (on the whole) had no trouble accepting an older (yet IMO very good looking ) man into the role, I'd be hopeful that on the same note, an overweight actor could do well, providing he was good enough to portray the character.

Opinions?

What a truly strange question.

Not seen from a 'taken offence' view... just a strange thing to wonder about. As long as the actor was right for the role then why not??

You mention Colin Baker getting 'portly' by the end? really?! Poor chap. The character of the Doctor was never supposed to be an underwear model.

Sadly, its a modern phenomenon that ALL tv actors, especially those in the main role or at least as the 'hero' role seem to have an obligatory six-pack.
Even in this day and age, a six pack is not really the norm. Its such a shame that young guys growing up nowadays seem to think that they must dedicate themselves to the Gym in order to conform to the attractive social norm.

Thinking about it... i really cannot think of ANY current TV show where the main character isnt a muscled adonis. This is even true in soaps! Look at EastEnders. Its gone so far that in some TV shows even the 'geeky' nerd character has a six pack (put on a pair of glasses and thats enough apparently!). Even Kids TV such as the Disney stuff in America and the lads there are all Gym trained!

So, point being - lets try not to make the Doctor fit this mould too. Next actor's body shape is the least important thing!

and p.s. yes, even fat guys are capable of running.
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Old 07-11-2016, 14:28
PunksNotDead
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Robbie Coltrane could make for an interesting Doctor
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Old 07-11-2016, 15:05
Thamwet
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What a truly strange question.

Not seen from a 'taken offence' view... just a strange thing to wonder about. As long as the actor was right for the role then why not??

You mention Colin Baker getting 'portly' by the end? really?! Poor chap. The character of the Doctor was never supposed to be an underwear model.

Sadly, its a modern phenomenon that ALL tv actors, especially those in the main role or at least as the 'hero' role seem to have an obligatory six-pack.
Even in this day and age, a six pack is not really the norm. Its such a shame that young guys growing up nowadays seem to think that they must dedicate themselves to the Gym in order to conform to the attractive social norm.

Thinking about it... i really cannot think of ANY current TV show where the main character isnt a muscled adonis. This is even true in soaps! Look at EastEnders. Its gone so far that in some TV shows even the 'geeky' nerd character has a six pack (put on a pair of glasses and thats enough apparently!). Even Kids TV such as the Disney stuff in America and the lads there are all Gym trained!

So, point being - lets try not to make the Doctor fit this mould too. Next actor's body shape is the least important thing!

and p.s. yes, even fat guys are capable of running.

I don't think it's a strange thing to wonder. You've described the unfortunate modern phenomenon of TV stars apparently having to be attractive, well built individuals. That is exactly my point.

I would hope that we, as fans, would happily accept an actor of any shape or size. But would the general viewing public be so good? Or would there be disparaging comments posted all over the internet? Would rags such as the Daily Mail make a point of it whilst ignoring the skills said actor may have?

Also, I'm not insulting Colin lol, it's true that he did put on a bit between series. Even he's mentioned it before I think. Didn't detract from his performance of course, I think he was in some ways better in his second series.
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Old 07-11-2016, 15:29
Daniel Dare
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Before reading the details of the thread and just the title only, my first impressions was a huge muscular guy akin to 'Arnie'.
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Old 07-11-2016, 16:00
Steve9214
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Robbie Coltrane could make for an interesting Doctor
Victoria Wood would have been amazing
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Old 07-11-2016, 16:13
CELT1987
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Richard Griffiths was considered for the role once.
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Old 07-11-2016, 17:15
Brandon_Smith
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The thing is when you're playing The Doctor you can't just play The Doctor each incarnation is different aand have their own tics and habbits, thing, and some people can pull it off while others can't. I wouldn't mind who played The Doctor anyone can make it interesting if they can bring their own concept of The Doctor to life, not just reading lines, you have to have pizzazz and be enthusiastic, which all New Doctors have they each hve their own edge and approach.

I wouldn't mind who played The Doctor as long as they brought their own thing.
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Old 07-11-2016, 19:07
daveyboy7472
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As I read this thread title, Colin Baker sprung to mind immediately and yes, he did admit he'd piled on the pounds prior to Season 23, though it didn't detract from his performance for me.

I personally don't have any problem with a larger Doctor, as long as the actor involved puts on a good show and plays him well, no issue for me.

However, as has been mentioned, there is a certain demographic who would absolute hate it. The Doctor has to be like Tennant or nothing at all. It's not right but that's modern life I suppose!

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Old 07-11-2016, 23:25
bennythedip
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Johnny Vegas is made for the role. You could say he was an 'ideal' choice.
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Old 08-11-2016, 02:10
Fizzbin
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Brian Blessed in full shouty/sweary mode. Davros wouldn't know what hit him.
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Old 08-11-2016, 05:39
Theophile
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I don't care if the actor is portly, thin, old, young or of any race as long as he is: British, hyper-intelligent, hyper-competent, hyper-knowledgeable and male. Those are The Doctor's characteristics.
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Old 08-11-2016, 10:33
Verence
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Brian Blessed in full shouty/sweary mode. Davros wouldn't know what hit him.
The Master's alive!!!!!!!????
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Old 08-11-2016, 12:01
a_broxibear
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The problem is, and its the same season these muscle bound guys are "polluting" our screens is that TV shows done want to be seen as "promoting" bad health. Have a massive fat guy/girl as one of their main players could be seen badly on them - especially by the British press who are happy to chastice any celebrity because they have gained a little bit of a belly!!!

....plus, running through a foreign market place away from a scary alien wouldnt have the same effect if after 10 seconds he has to stop to get his breath back! haha
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Old 08-11-2016, 12:55
Thamwet
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I don't care if the actor is portly, thin, old, young or of any race as long as he is: British, hyper-intelligent, hyper-competent, hyper-knowledgeable and male. Those are The Doctor's characteristics.

Haha, so not very open minded at all really?


Why deny a foreign actor the role if he/she has all the suitability and skill for the part? Because they're foreign, it would be all right, in your eyes, to deny them the role?

All these hyper (insert word here) things- your describing the character not the actor there lol.

Male- Again, if a female is perfect for the part, why deny her it? That's my view.
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Old 08-11-2016, 17:41
Lord Smexy
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I wouldn't mind if the actor was good in the role and gave off the right presence, as usual, but unfortunately there's a certain demographic of people who watch TV for the sex appeal that Doctor Who is apparently meant to appeal to for some reason.
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Old 08-11-2016, 20:23
doctor blue box
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Well firstly I'd say a larger actor doesn't necessarily mean that they are unfit. You can have an overweight person who is fully who plays sports and exercises but is still overweight because they still eat more than they burn off.

As far as anyone seems to know, the audition is just an acting audition. As such I would guess they likely don't know for sure if any actor can handle the running until filming starts. I can't exactly imagine them saying 'wow, your acting was amazing, your perfect for the role, now can you please run 50 laps for us so we can be sure?' (though it would be quite amusing to hear if that was indeed the case)


Secondly, it's not as though a showrunner has the actor to play the Doctor forced upon them. The showrunner at any one time picks the person they want to play the role. As such if a showrunner were to pick a larger actor based on the quality of their audition, they'd do so having considered all the factors and whether that person would work, and would then be writing the scripts with that actor in mind.

Thirdly, i'd say that the running we see in episodes is only really 10-15 seconds or running at a time. Even if they have to film that scene multiple times or do a few of those corridor running scenes, they are such short bursts at a time that I'd think only the most morbidly obese, completely unfit person would have huge trouble. Granted more physically demanding episodes which are all action such as Heaven Sent might cause a regularly unfit person a fair bit of trouble, but as I said above, the showrunner would have chosen the person and be writing the scripts based on that person, so if they had picked an actor who was rather unfit, but who was so amazing with the acting that it was worth picking them anyway, they obviously wouldn't write physically demanding scenes for the Doctor, and he probably just be the talky science guy more so even than usual. Just in the same way Hartnell was written differently to the more active running doctors that came after, the role can be tweaked to match the actor (as in some way it always is) as long as they keep the base personality that the Doctor always has.


So in conclusion, for all the reasons listed above, I think a larger actor would be just fine in the role, and have every bit as much chance of becoming a beloved incarnation as a thinner actor. I would add though, that due to the bias of the lead having to look a certain way, I doubt it will ever happen.
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Old 08-11-2016, 20:35
Theophile
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Haha, so not very open minded at all really?


Why deny a foreign actor the role if he/she has all the suitability and skill for the part? Because they're foreign, it would be all right, in your eyes, to deny them the role?

All these hyper (insert word here) things- your describing the character not the actor there lol.

Male- Again, if a female is perfect for the part, why deny her it? That's my view.
Just picture Andrew Dice Clay trying to play The Doctor. I am American and I think that The Doctor needs to remain British.

Yes, I am describing the character, not the actor.

And, yes, The Doctor needs to remain male.

If you want a show with a hyper-competent, hyper-intelligent, hyper-knowledgeable British female (heck, two of them), then do a spin-off with the immortal Clara and the immortal Me. Or do one with The Doctor's Daughter. Or do one with Romana. There are tons of options there. They have all been set up over the years. However, The Doctor needs to remain male.



Edit: P.S., Original Poster, did you have anybody in mind? And, if so, exactly how portly (or fat) are they?
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Old 08-11-2016, 21:41
Thamwet
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Well firstly I'd say a larger actor doesn't necessarily mean that they are unfit. You can have an overweight person who is fully who plays sports and exercises but is still overweight because they still eat more than they burn off.

As far as anyone seems to know, the audition is just an acting audition. As such I would guess they likely don't know for sure if any actor can handle the running until filming starts. I can't exactly imagine them saying 'wow, your acting was amazing, your perfect for the role, now can you please run 50 laps for us so we can be sure?' (though it would be quite amusing to hear if that was indeed the case)


Secondly, it's not as though a showrunner has the actor to play the Doctor forced upon them. The showrunner at any one time picks the person they want to play the role. As such if a showrunner were to pick a larger actor based on the quality of their audition, they'd do so having considered all the factors and whether that person would work, and would then be writing the scripts with that actor in mind.

Thirdly, i'd say that the running we see in episodes is only really 10-15 seconds or running at a time. Even if they have to film that scene multiple times or do a few of those corridor running scenes, they are such short bursts at a time that I'd think only the most morbidly obese, completely unfit person would have huge trouble. Granted more physically demanding episodes which are all action such as Heaven Sent might cause a regularly unfit person a fair bit of trouble, but as I said above, the showrunner would have chosen the person and be writing the scripts based on that person, so if they had picked an actor who was rather unfit, but who was so amazing with the acting that it was worth picking them anyway, they obviously wouldn't write physically demanding scenes for the Doctor, and he probably just be the talky science guy more so even than usual. Just in the same way Hartnell was written differently to the more active running doctors that came after, the role can be tweaked to match the actor (as in some way it always is) as long as they keep the base personality that the Doctor always has.


So in conclusion, for all the reasons listed above, I think a larger actor would be just fine in the role, and have every bit as much chance of becoming a beloved incarnation as a thinner actor. I would add though, that due to the bias of the lead having to look a certain way, I doubt it will ever happen.
Very good points. I'd like to think you're right that a larger actor would have as much chance of being successful. I do sadly fear, however, that a larger actor would be subject to more challenges than a "hottie" would in becoming successful. Which isn't right. But that's sadly the way it often is these days.
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Old 08-11-2016, 21:53
Thamwet
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Just picture Andrew Dice Clay trying to play The Doctor. I am American and I think that The Doctor needs to remain British.

Yes, I am describing the character, not the actor.

And, yes, The Doctor needs to remain male.

If you want a show with a hyper-competent, hyper-intelligent, hyper-knowledgeable British female (heck, two of them), then do a spin-off with the immortal Clara and the immortal Me. Or do one with The Doctor's Daughter. Or do one with Romana. There are tons of options there. They have all been set up over the years. However, The Doctor needs to remain male.


I

Edit: P.S., Original Poster, did you have anybody in mind? And, if so, exactly how portly (or fat) are they?
Firstly, I simply disagree. So what if an actor is born in a country other than Britain? If they are suited to the part, it would be abhorrent to deny them the job based on their ethnicity. Furthermore... who on Earth is Andrew Dice Clay?

Secondly, cool.

Thirdly, that's a decision for the show-runners, my man. Not you. And again, I say a female actor would work in the role, but ONLY if she was suitable for the part. Missy was generally well received as a female Master, so I could see it working for the Doctor.

Fourth, I am the original poster lol. The answer is yes, I have seen a handful of larger actors whom I've wondered this about. I won't give any names, but now and again I have watched people, ranging from slightly portly to significantly above their ideal weight, and pondered this question.
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Old 09-11-2016, 00:50
Kill Jester
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I cannae believe anyone is still chatting about a female Doctor. No one wants that! He can be cosily chubby and have a few love handles with no problems at all (though dont forget the running. Needs to be doing lots of that unless someone gets him a scooter) but let's put this Lady Doctor nonsense to bed once and for all. When that happens then Doctor Who is the epitome of a sausage thats ready to eat...stick a fork in it! It's done folks! It's done!

Regarding the original thread topic and suggestions I say this: Richard Griffiths who I believe was mentioned as a possible Doctor at one point in time was a fine actor. A true gent! He could've carried the character, there's no doubting it. And maybe just about gotten away with Classic Who. But he was a portly chap. There's no way around it. And it just wouldn't have been credible and it would nae be now. Sorry to burst that inclusive bubble but no one wants to see the Doctor waddling down corridors like a sweaty penguin with a horde of Daleks nipping at his heels.
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Old 09-11-2016, 01:02
Free Radical
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I cannae believe anyone is still chatting about a female Doctor. No one wants that! He can be cosily chubby and have a few love handles with no problems at all (though dont forget the running. Needs to be doing lots of that unless someone gets him a scooter) but let's put this Lady Doctor nonsense to bed once and for all. When that happens then Doctor Who is the epitome of a sausage thats ready to eat...stick a fork in it! It's done folks! It's done!.
Totally agree. It would political correctness gone mad

Let's hope it NEVER happens.
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Old 09-11-2016, 01:10
Boz_Lowdownl
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Victoria Wood would have been amazing
"Amazing" as in "completely rubbish"? One of the most overrated actresses / "comedians" of our time.
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