Opinions on Casting Eddie Redmayne as the Doctor in Doctor Who

As a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, I have been particularly enjoying the show under the guidance of Russell T Davies. My wife has indulged my viewing habits, and one Christmas, she surprised me with a massive book co-written by RTD about his time on the program. This deepened my understanding of the production process, especially the extensive time required for the Cardiff-based filming and the actors' relocation for the duration of a series.

While Eddie Redmayne is an excellent actor with a prestigious Oscar, the practicalities of casting him as the Doctor in a BBC-produced series present several challenges. The BBC is generally reluctant to cast big stars and is even more hesitant to meet the high actor fees typically commanded by A-list Hollywood stars. Consequently, it may be a long time before we see Redmayne in a starring role in a BBC-produced series.

My Personal Views on Casting Eddie Redmayne

I have a strong aversion to Eddie Redmayne. I find his acting, albeit often mannered and annoying, to be quite off-putting. My parents, both actors from lower-middle-class backgrounds, instilled in me a sense of disapproval towards actors who seemed to have an easy path due to their privileged upbringing. This resonates with the broader issue of access to artistic training in the UK, where the lack of tuition fees and financial support has made it increasingly difficult for those from less privileged backgrounds.

However, the Doctor in Doctor Who is often portrayed as an underdog, challenging existing power structures rather than reinforcing them. Previously, the Doctor has been played by actors from a variety of backgrounds: from the working-class origins of Tom Baker, David Coleman (Colin Baker), and Christopher Eccleston, to the middle-class backgrounds of Peter Davison and Steven Moffat (Matt Smith). This diversity in portrayals reflects the inclusive nature of Doctor Who.

Tony Cottom's Observations

Notable actor Peter Capaldi has also addressed this issue, emphasizing the need to represent a wide range of backgrounds in the series. The portrayal of the War Doctor as RADA-educated (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) or an upper-class Army officer does not align with the show's commitment to diverse representation. The current Heemesh or, more recently, the Ncuti Gatwa-led era have furthered this inclusivity, ensuring that the Doctor is more accessible to audiences from all walks of life.

The Role of Eccleston and Capaldi

The successful portrayal of the Doctor by Christopher Eccleston and Peter Capaldi suggests that an actor's background does not necessarily limit their ability to play the role. For instance, Eccleston, who came from a working-class background, was a natural fit for the role, and Capaldi's background only reinforced the show's commitment to diverse casting. Matt Smith, with his eccentric academic portrayal, also successfully undermined the image of the traditional privileged actor.

While Eddie Redmayne could potentially pull off the role, my preference would be to see roles go to actors like Eccleston or Capaldi, who bring authenticity and a broad range of backgrounds to the character. Moreover, Tom Hiddleston, with his portrayal of Loki, is a fantastic actor, but his career already benefits from other successful roles, and casting him as the Doctor would be a missed opportunity for an actor with a less fortunate background to shine.