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Home » Blogs » Siege's blog » Will "Doctor Who" become "Absolutely Fabulous"?

Will "Doctor Who" become "Absolutely Fabulous"?

by
Siege

Ever wondered what Doctor Who would be like as a woman? Me too. But even if you have pondered that prospect, Patsy and Edina probably aren't the first images that come to mind.

Nonetheless, recent reports indicate that Ab Fab alum Jennifer Saunders may be tapped to play the first ever female Doctor for a special one-shot episode.

Of course, "first ever" is only sort of accurate. Saunders' Ab Fab partner in debauchery, Joanna Lumley, gave us a brief snapshot of what a female Doctor might be like during a skit done for the U.K.'s Comic Relief telethon in 1999.

This talk of the potential for the Doctor to regenerate as a woman leaves me with two nagging questions. First, will a female Doctor get her own little-girl-lost sidekick? I certainly hope so, particularly considering the Doctor's habit of falling for his beautiful assistants. Second, if Saunders doesn't get the gig, who should become the first female Doctor of the series? Perhaps Gillian Anderson would be willing to engage in a little time travel.

Or maybe Mandana Jones would like to take Tardis out for a spin.

Of course, it is possible that the Saunders talk is nothing but a load of horse hooey. After all, current Doctor David Tennant still has the rest of series three, plus four one-hour specials, to finish. Who knows what lies ahead for the venerable sci-fi series? Only the Doctor, that's who.

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    • Submitted by
    Siege
    on December 20, 2007 - 3:40pm.
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    VashtheStampede's picture

    I wouldn't be surprised...

    Submitted by
    VashtheStampede (97 posts)
    on December 20, 2007 - 4:04pm.
    If this was just a publicity stunt. They did this in the original series when Tom Baker was leaving the show and it generated alot of buzz about the possible fate of the show. That being said, I wouldn't mind seeing another female Time Lord again (love me some Romana), and if this somehow turns out to be true, Saunders has some big shoes to fill. Joanna was absoultely fabulous (pun intended) as the first female Doctor :-)
    invisicoll's picture

    I've never seen Doctor Who

    Submitted by
    invisicoll (33 posts)
    on December 20, 2007 - 4:51pm.
    (and if it's anything like Torchwood, chances are I never will). But this post was basically a who's who of some of my most favorite actresses. I wonder what Julia Sawalha is doing these days.
    VashtheStampede's picture

    Funny You Should mention Julia

    Submitted by
    VashtheStampede (97 posts)
    on December 20, 2007 - 5:09pm.
    She also appeared in the comedy special with Joanna (as did Rowan Atkinson, Richard E. Grant, and Hugh Grant). As for Torchwood, please don't let that stop you from checking out Doctor Who. The characters are better written, the episodes more fun, and I dare you to say that David Tennant itsn't one of England's best actors after watching him as the Doctor.
    kcaries's picture

    I had to comment

    Submitted by
    kcaries (17 posts)
    on December 20, 2007 - 9:30pm.
    David Tennant is Scottish.  I wouldn't have commented had you referred to him as British but you can't say Enlish.
    VashtheStampede's picture

    Agh!

    Submitted by
    VashtheStampede (97 posts)
    on December 21, 2007 - 10:33am.
    Your right, I meant to put Britian not England. That will cost me some geek points LOL
    kcaries's picture

    Dr Who

    Submitted by
    kcaries (17 posts)
    on December 20, 2007 - 9:28pm.

    Please don't compare Dr Who with Torchwood.  To many Brits "Who is Dr Who?" is a very serious and deeply important question and encourages much discussion.  To me, as a young thing, the answer would have been Jon Pertwee.  Now, of course, David Tennant.  The best Doctor ever.  (For those in the US, take note of the capital D - the only way to refer to "The Doctor".

    Can I also add that this is probably one of the few programs on TV anywhere in the world that has fans from many generations.  It deserves credit for that.  I hid behind the sofa age 12, and now my son age 12 loves the current series.

    Quirky Koala's picture

    Only one choice

    Submitted by
    Quirky Koala (117 posts)
    on December 20, 2007 - 6:27pm.
    There is only one choice - Racheal Weisz! How sexy would she be in this role?
    Girlface's picture

    Paul McGann wants Julie

    Submitted by
    Girlface (53 posts)
    on December 20, 2007 - 7:52pm.

    Paul McGann wants Julie Walters.

     

    If the Doctor falls in love with another companion, I shall start writing strongly worded letters.

    Samfeasor's picture

    Just since we're going on

    Submitted by
    Samfeasor (83 posts)
    on December 20, 2007 - 11:46pm.
    Just since we're going on insane casting fantasies, I'd love to see the Doctor take the apperance of a companion, namely Martha Jones. Mostly because Freema Agyeman kicks ass. Since Doctor Who has very loose canon, and they handwave away things whenever it suits them, I think that'd be a fun choice. Plus Romana did it, and we all got Lalla Ward as a companion out of the deal.
    Claire's picture

    I agree, Mandana would make

    Submitted by
    Claire (34 posts)
    on December 21, 2007 - 3:21am.
    I agree, Mandana would make a great AU doctor who.
    I assume this could be for a doctor 'lite' episode. There's no reason why not, after all there should be an alternative doctor in the universe where Rose is. I've love Jen to be it.
    There has been a female doctor before - Arabella Weir - she played the doctor on the Radio for an episode.
    *************************

    Claire - http://www.cloogle.net/

    angel winters's picture

    better

    Submitted by
    angel winters (228 posts)
    on December 21, 2007 - 9:37am.
    I think doctor who would be better if Jennifer Saunders took on the role..of course I think anything that woman does is amazing....then again...its just a rumor and 9 times out of 10 she might be doing something equally if not better at the time.
    reel23's picture

    Hey Quirky Koala, I agree!

    Submitted by
    reel23 (2 posts)
    on December 21, 2007 - 10:58am.
    I remember reading a rumour that Rachel Weisz was interested/approached?  I can't remember where I read that, but that would awesome, she's great!  But Jennifer Saunders would be great too, I'm sure.
    LostSoul's picture

    Hmmm...

    Submitted by
    LostSoul (107 posts)
    on December 21, 2007 - 12:28pm.

    Obviously, a publicity stunt of somekind...Probably like that recent "Dr. Who" short where they had one of the original Drs come back for a quick cameo...

    However, the concept of a "female" doctor is an excellent idea.  Of course, Gillian would make a wonderful Doctor...Sadly, with the exception of an X-Files reunion movie(Should sooo be a mini-series, not a feature film); I doubt she'd wanna do anything Sci-Fi related ever again...

    My personal choice would be actress Olga Sosnovska.  Best known to US audience for her time as Bianca Montgomery's lover on the ABC soap opera,"All My Children"...She's a kick-ass british actress who can do both the comedy and the action called for in the role(see her turn as a spy on BBC's "Spooks"/"MI-5").

    She has the credentials to be the Doctor's first female re-generation!

     

    Melissa Hsu's picture

    Obviously, a publicity

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on December 23, 2007 - 11:48pm.

    Obviously, a publicity stunt of somekind...Probably like that recent "Dr. Who" short where they had one of the original Drs come back for a quick cameo...

    You mean the Children in Need 7-minute short "Time Crash"?  It had Peter Davison (the 5th Doctor) co-starring.  It was really fun.  I like David Tennant a lot, too.

    Dawn's picture

    How awesome!

    Submitted by
    Dawn (16 posts)
    on December 22, 2007 - 1:45am.
    I would be all over a female Dr. Who- I mean, I would totally watch that show! (heh) Would make perfect sense- bring on the next re-generation!
    Melissa Hsu's picture

    Speaking of Dr Who --

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on December 23, 2007 - 11:51pm.

    What do you guys think of the fact that Billie will return as Rose Tyler for 3 episodes next season?

    I have mixed feelings ... I loved her character, but any way they write her back in is going to be pretty far-fetched.  I just hope it shows her a year or some years in the future, having moved on and built a good life for herself.  If she's still lovesick for the Doctor, that would kill it for me.

    Quirky Koala's picture

    I had mixed feelings when I

    Submitted by
    Quirky Koala (117 posts)
    on December 26, 2007 - 5:32pm.

    I had mixed feelings when I heard Rose was coming back, especially if they are going to have Martha and Donna fighting over the Doctors affections when Martha comes back. Some of the rumors I've heard sound as to how Rose will return have sounded interesting though.

    If they have some completely unbelievable plot, just so that Billie can appear again and then have all 3 women being catty and competing for the Doctors attention then I'll be really disappointed.

    Jess's picture

    Jennifer Saunders

    Submitted by
    Jess (127 posts)
    on December 26, 2007 - 5:35pm.
    I'll just take this opportunity to say that I adore Jennifer Saunders. Basically, I'm all for anything that gives her more screen time, so here's hoping this is for real!
    Robin's picture

    I absolutely love Jennifer Saunders

    Submitted by
    Robin (48 posts)
    on December 28, 2007 - 8:57pm.
    Always had a crush on her.  She could even play a male and female doctor. 
     
    Take a look at her as George Michael
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbFEAak4m30
     
    And here
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lze40INzZEw
     
     
     
     
     

    I'm a Sagittarius -- part ass, part dude with a loaded weapon, what's not to love?

    LoveIsLost's picture

    A woman in the role

    Submitted by
    LoveIsLost (6 posts)
    on December 29, 2007 - 6:13pm.

    I am a huge fan of the new series, and David Tennant is my favorite Doctor and hope he stays for a long time. 

     I would love to see a female doctor though, maybe someone like Gillian Anderson who i totally adore.  Would really add some spice to the show, i hope they do go with a woman next time.

     

    eleventhdr's picture

    A female doctor

    Submitted by
    eleventhdr (3 posts)
    on January 4, 2008 - 8:03pm.

    Yes it is indeed hight time that the doctor becomes a female do you really truly belive that the doctor can not be female aw come on it is in his her gennitc stucture he can be either sex just a humans can on earth.

     

    Lity that those who think he can not be a she you probaly still belive that the doctor is canon when he is nothing like this at all he she is a free anget and can be who he she rreally wants to be so come on there is nothing wrong with a female doctor i welcome this myself i would just really love to see an actress play the part i vote that the doctor becomes female and then we will see what she can do indeed so let the doctor experince this i mean if Captain Kirk could be a women why not the Doctor

     

    So come on a female doctor at last i would love to see here new custom hmmm wonder what that just might look like lots of sepulation on that one! she would have lots of room  for options as to what she would wear!

     Jay!


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