Access Media Sites Mock Fans for Fan-Casting Hugh Grant in Doctor Who

Television

Ever since appearing as the Doctor in a 1999 comedy special, Hugh Grant has appeared on every shortlist for fan casting of the Doctor whenever the character is regenerating. Continuing that trend, with Jodie Whittaker’s upcoming regeneration, Hugh Grant was again rumored to take the part. Additionally, following the trend, Grant has once again denied the rumors of his casting. However, what sets this time apart from the others is the political nature in which this regeneration is occurring within. Several Access Media sites seem to believe that the mere idea of casting Hugh Grant is offensive, and the fans should be mocked for even considering it.

By far the vilest amongst this cacophony of franchise ineptitude, CBR had this to say:

“The casting quickly returning to an overrepresented character type. . . the fact his taking over might mean dumping several narrative arcs set up in the last few Doctor Who seasons. . . But while he was capable, that didn’t mean he would be right for the franchise now — or maybe ever. Grant would have been another in a long, long line of white men playing the Doctor. . . [Whittaker’s casting] began fulfilment of the promise that women, non-binary, queer, and non-white actors could star in one of the world’s longest-running TV shows. . . expectation [is] that the Doctor’s next regeneration would continue to break the mold and cast another woman, person of color and/or LGBTQIA+ actor who would give more variety to the character’s long history. To promptly jettison the possibility and cast Grant or any other white male would frustrate Doctor Who fans who’ve appreciated seeing more diversity.”

This is a very disingenuous position, using the fans as a shield for their opinions, as fans are abandoning this series in droves, the current seasons getting the lowest viewership in Doctor Who history.

Due to the utter abomination that has been the last three seasons of Doctor Who – derived from the injection of modern political propaganda – a return to form is necessary. Some fans were OK with giving a female Doctor or any other diverse Doctor a chance. However, after the recent era, the fans require something familiar to bring them back, at least for a time, before a talented writer can attempt such a divergence from the traditional canon again. Many fans believe that a female Doctor could never work again due to the disaster that has been this current era. CBR and other Access Media sites virtue signaling and mocking the fans for fan-casting again proves why readers have lost trust in sites like that.

In a little bit of irony, a female Doctor was also featured in the comedy special in which Hugh Grant appeared as the Doctor, way back in 1999. The difference is that a talented writer undertook the female Doctor and portrayed the character in a very accurate, humorous, and relatable fashion.

CBR and others like them believe that diversity was never even considered prior to 2016, when the diversity initiative was initially pushed. However, specials like this and the content within the episodes from way back in the classic era disprove the notion that diversity is a recent creation. Diversity and politically motivated storytelling have been around forever, but in the past, it was done by talented writers who valued plot, characters, and the fans over their message. It never came across as propaganda or virtue signaling until the modern era.

For fans of Doctor Who who have been left abused by the BBC, the show, and Access Media sites that gaslight them, refuge can only be found within old Who and in classic specials like the one in which Hugh Grant appeared. Only within the embrace of the past can fans reignite the love for this franchise that is dwindling into twilight before their very eyes.