It’s going on 12 years since Christopher Eccleston bid farewell to Doctor Who, but it seems the English thesp still has a strong opinion on the BBC’s sci-fi flagship.
As reported by Digital Spy, Eccleston recently swung by ITV chat show Lorraine to discuss Doctor Who, a series that he believes was in dire need of a shakeup prior to the casting of Jodie Whittaker, the first female Time Lord. The actor also called out the BBC for playing it safe, given all other incarnations of the Doctor have been played by “skinny white men.”
The advent of the 13th Time Lord changes all that (thank heavens!), and Christopher Eccleston believes the BBC could not have chosen someone better than the incoming Jodie Whittaker.
Hurrah! The BBC have gone as far as they can with skinny white men, I think. It’s time, isn’t it? It had to change, and God knows how much money it makes for the BBC. They needed to reinvent it, and they could not have chosen someone better.
And with his Doctor Who days firmly behind him, Christopher Eccleston then explained why he’s avoided all conventions since leaving the show.
I’ve never done conventions. I know there’s a lot of money there, isn’t there? But I’ve always just wanted to earn my living by acting. And that’s not a judgment on people who do them. It’s just the way I am. So I’ve avoided all that so far. But listen – who know’s what’s around the corner financially?
The Doctor Who saga will journey into uncharted territory with the premiere of “Twice Upon a Time” on Christmas Day, and Whovians can expect to catch a sneak peek at this year’s festive special during Children in Need next week. Stay tuned for more on that one.
