A couple of comments of interest:

"Now, of course, he's fully committed to Doctor Who but even some of the most loving relationships have to end sooner or later and Davies will definitely be leaving – later rather than sooner, but eventually."

And (on the subject of Primeval):

"I suppose it is (a compliment), although you can't swear it wouldn't have been made anyway," he says. "But I absolutely love it. Its [lack of] ethnic casting is shameful. I've never seen such a white show in all my born days, but apart from that I think it's excellent, I really think it's excellent."

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He thinks that just because the new companion, Martha Jones, is black he can get away with saying that. There's NO WAY that they won't have considered black or Asian actors for roles on Primeval. I also hate it when the term 'ethnic' or 'ethnic minorities' is used. Telling someone they're a 'minority' isn't good, people shouldn't be pigeonholed in this way. Also there shouldn't be a remit saying there's GOT to be a certain number of non-white actors. People should be judged on their talents rather than their colour.

A somewhat puzzling comment from the master of PR there. The colour of Martha's skin was totally irrelevent to me, she's just another actor. Aren't we past all that "token black guy" stuff now? Don't people get hired on their ability and not because of they need to represent something. I don't understand the logic in his comment at all.

Well, you know, when not even any of the extras are black (can you think of any?) that's pretty damn white.

Yes, there was an asian family in one episode when they went to a block of flats and one of the golfers in episode 5 immediately spring to mind.

It's an absurd comment to make. Black or white, I doubt anybody had issue with it, they just enjoyed it for what it is, that is until RTD opened his mouth.
Last edited by square_eyes : 29-03-2007 at 20:50

Off the top of my head, recall the Doc who treated Stephen in hospital was Indian wasn't she? And the guy who played the Police Inspector looking into the death at the swimming pool was black. One or two of the Special Forces were black. And the very first male actor on screen at the start of the series was black. That's only the first two episodes, I think - sure there were many others, but extras all.

Probably just the usual RTD sour grapes. Claim you really like a show billed as "ITV's Doctor Who beater", and then put the boot in in the most contemptible fashion imaginable.

the whole piece seemed like a backhanded compliment..I like it but.....and to use the issue of colour is ridiculous in the extreme. as someone else said it comes down to talent and who was right for the parts. no-one else has brought the issue of colour into it except him.

is this what it has come down to..our show is better than yours because we have cast the first black companion and had more people from different ethnic backgrounds than you have. get over yourself Russell and argue your corner based on the quality of the scripts and the production values rather than this cheap shot...a sly one at that.

perhaps it has got RTD rattled that someone else can do the job just as good as him..........

Yes, and can you think of any in Doctor Who? Guess besides Mickey the token boyfriend, it's "pretty damn white"!?

Such a ridiculous and reprehensible bandwagon to jump on.

My show's blacker than yours? What next? FFS!

Seems similar to what Philip Glenister was lambasting TV over the other day, commenting that the BBC don't see casting, pay and praise in terms of "acting ability", but on what's going to satisfy market forces.

I don't care what colour anyone's show is - just the writing and acting.

My opinion:

Don't think you can possibly compare the quality of Dr Who scripts with Primeval.

that sounds familiar...

each series has it merits and it's shortcomings too...neither are perfect.

That's exactly how it's going to come across. Like a strange blend of Ed Wood and Elton John.

PR disaster if you ask me. Needs a publicist or a gag! Perhaps Thete could offer their services as his PR guru.

Lemme see, the PM's PA in AoL, Cathica in TLG, the Female Programmer in PotW, the head of UNIT in TCI, Mr Wagner in SR, Zachary and Danny in TSP, Chloe and her Mum in FH, Donna's fiance in TRB...

and that's only the major guest roles. Off the top of my head.

agreed. Who's record cannot be disputed in that direction but still a rather odd observation for RTD to make given that it may have been they did see a number of actors for the roles but in the end the more talented won the part, irrespective of their background etc....

Sorry but I cant let that comment go as its completely wrong!

There have been numerous (far too many to mention anyway) black extras and main/minor characters in both series of Who.

Everyone just think about it for a moment and you will see just how wrong that statement is.

Here's my rather irritated thoughts on this (what should be) a non-issue...

This sort of nonsense really irritates me. The casting directors chose the people who they wanted for the part regardless of race, how is that so hard for people to understand? Race isn't and shouldn't be an issue.You choose who's best suited for the job.

In a society with no racism, race shouldn't be a consideration. Therefore there shouldn't be this nonsense about 'there's too many white people in it!' because in the end everyone is just 'people' no matter what their ethnicity.

And guess what? 92.1% of the British population is white. That would mean in our main team of 7, 6.44 of them are white. Statistically in this country you would have to choose a group of 13 people in order to get someone from an ethnic minority. The fact that we therefore have an all white team is hardly unrepresentative considering the size of the group. Now if was an organisation of 50 and you never saw a person of a different race, then there might be an issue...

To purposely say 'well we must hire an Asian/Black/Latino person in order to be PC' is all but racism against white people. We all have the right to be treated equally and you choose the best person for the job whatever skin colour they happen to be. It's just as poor form to choose someone less fit for purpose just to fill a quota as it is not to choose someone because of their race.

There have been people in this show from other ethnicities so it's hardly like they are adverse to it. Not once did I think watching this show 'wow! everyone is white!' and that suggests to me that RTD who apparently did notice it either has a massive chip on his shoulder for some reason or is just being smug ('see, our show's better than yours because we have a black person!'). Which is very sad. He wants to get out more.

</ end rant>

This is a load of gobbledegook to me . Why does everyone use initials & abbreviations? We are not all in the know you know! & who the h--l is RTD anyway????

So say about one per episode - how does that really differ to "Primeval"? But as everyone's mentioned, is it really a point worth raising in the first place?