“I thought I’d said that I was disappointed that it didn’t happen this time, and that there are some amazing actors out there. I was rather disappointed that Paterson Joseph didn’t get it last time, although I’ve loved Matt’s Eleven. And yes, I have no doubt there will be. (I know one black actor who was already offered the part of the Doctor, and who turned it down.)  Just as there will be a female Doctor.”

Words from Neil Gaiman, writer of a couple of episodes of the series (Doctor Who). The author shared his thoughts on the casting of a black Doctor Who, on his Tumblr page (thanks “Jug” for the heads-up). 

My comrade Emmanuel is much more equipped to comment on all things Doctor Who than I am, since he’s the resident Doctor Who authority around here, while I just never really got into it, and abandoned it long ago.

So I’ll defer to him here for any color commentary.

In the meantime… as was recently announced, Peter Capaldi will replace Matt Smith in Doctor Who. 

Recall Emmanuel’s posts wondering whether a black actor would be chosen for the role. Well, that didn’t happen.

However, if Neil Gaiman is to believed in his quote above, a black actor WAS indeed offered the part, but they turned it down! 

So let the speculation begin on who exactly that actor is. To help you narrow it down (assuming you need help) the actor is very likely British and male. So what black British actor would turn this down? Probably one that’s already fairly busy, and isn’t wanting for work, which narrows the list down even further.

Emmanuel’s list included the following actors: David Harewood, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Zawe Ashton, Ashley Walters, Thandie Newton and Lenny Henry.

He also added that, after 3 consecutive young Doctors, he would’ve liked to see The Doctor as an older man (or woman), as was once the case. In response to that, the BBC says that the 55-year-old chosen one – Peter Capaldi – is the oldest Doctor since the first Doctor, William Hartnell, began it all in 1963.

Well, I guess I’ll try to catch up on my Doctor Who now, one way or another, in light of today’s news.