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Colin Baker Shuts Down Idea That a Woman Playing the Doctor Means Boys Lose a Role Model, Continues to Be the Absolute Best

"They’ve had 50 years of having a role model."

When Jodie Whittaker was announced as the next Doctor, former Doctor Colin Baker was one of her most vocal immediate supporters. He took to Twitter to praise Whittaker and to condemn the sexist criticism she faced.

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At Comic-Con Thursday, Baker was once again effusive in his excitement. He called the casting “long overdue,” and said, “I’m really excited. I’ve got four daughters, and it’s time girls have a real role model in the Tardis, not just a companion.”

“I can understand that some people find it a shock. But they have to deal with it. With every Doctor that came along people are critics. Two years later they love him.”

But Baker’s predecessor, Peter Davison, isn’t quite so enthusiastic. Speaking about the battle happening online, he said, “I’ve been a little distressed by both sides of the argument. The people who think it’s a great idea need to be understanding. Any change in the Doctor has a big impact. When I took over, it was a problem because I was too young. When Peter Capaldi took over it was a problem because he was too old.”

Except criticizing casting for age is NOT the same as declaring women in general are not fit to take on the role, which is what a lot of people are saying as the basis of their arguments. But sure, the non-sexists should be more understanding. The “tolerant left” and all that.

Ultimately, Davison said “Jodie Whittaker is a fine actress. I think she’ll do fine.” But he still felt the need to mourn what he sees as a loss for young boys.

“If I feel any doubts, it’s the loss of a role model for boys who I think Doctor Who is vitally important for. So I feel a bit sad about that, but I understand the argument that you need to open it up.”

First of all, why is it not important to him that girls might possibly be gaining something? Second, boys aren’t losing shit. Colin Baker shut down that idea right quick, calling it “absolute rubbish.”

“They’ve had 50 years of having a role model,” he said. “So sorry Peter, you’re talking rubbish there – absolute rubbish.” As Baker explained, “Well you don’t have to be of a gender of someone to be a role model. Can’t you be a role model as people?”

We sure think so.

(via OC Register, Telegraph, featured image: BBC)

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Vivian Kane
Vivian Kane (she/her) is the Senior News Editor at The Mary Sue, where she's been writing about politics and entertainment (and all the ways in which the two overlap) since the dark days of late 2016. Born in San Francisco and radicalized in Los Angeles, she now lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where she gets to put her MFA to use covering the local theatre scene. She is the co-owner of The Pitch, Kansas City’s alt news and culture magazine, alongside her husband, Brock Wilbur, with whom she also shares many cats.

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