During an interview in the latest issue of Doctor Who magazine, showrunner Steven Moffat has revealed that the BBC has previously offered the role of the Doctor to a black actor, and while that particular casting never came together, he believes it should happen in the future.
“I certainly don’t think there’s ever been a problem with making the Doctor black, which is why it should happen one day…I mean, we’ve tried. The part has been offered to a black actor. But for various reasons, it didn’t work out.,” said Moffat. “Sometimes the nature of a particular show – historical dramas, for instance – makes diversity more of a challenge, but Doctor Who has absolutely nowhere to hide on this…Young people watching have to know that they have a place in the future. That really matters. You have to care profoundly what children’s shows in particular say about where you’re going to be.”
While Moffat declined to mention the actor in question, the Radio Times claims that 12 Years a Slave star Chiwetel Ejiofor was offered the part of the Time Lord but could not agree terms with the BBC, leading to Matt Smith’s casting.
Doctor Who is set to return to our screens for series 10 in the spring.
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Originally published June 5, 2016. Updated April 14, 2018.
