Is It Important To Cast A Fan?

[Roranicus]

When it comes to Doctor Who and The Doctor, do you think it is important to cast someone who is a fan of the show and who embraces it's history or do you think that it doesnt matter as long as they are good in the role?

I can't speak about earlier incarnations but since the show came back we had Christopher Eccleston, who while brilliant as the Doctor, wasn't a fan of the show and just saw it as another job and has since pretty much disregarded it. David Tennant on the other hand was also brilliant, but had wanted to play the part for his whole life. He embraced everything to do with the show, and still does, and got a far better reception. Now we have Matt who had never seen the show when he was cast, but differently to Eccleston, went back and watched and then became a big fan and often speaks in interviews to say how important he feels the history of the show is to how he plays the role etc.

Three very different approaches and all seem to work in their own way, but how important is it that the actor playing the Doctor is a fan? Or the ones playing companions too for that matter?

[MandyDuchovney]

Brillant thread 

I don't think it's that important. I'd much rather have the right man for the job - being a fan of the show doesn't necessarily add up to that. Having said that I think it's important whoever takes on the role has a respect for its history/understanding of the responsibilty that comes with being a part of it.

I think the same should apply to everyone involved

[The Doc]

I think there is definately some importance on the actor playing it to have some knowledge, or at least seek some knowledge about the show. The Doctor is a huge role, one that many actors would love to have and I would hate to think that the sole reason a person is playing it is to advance their career or something. I respect Matt Smith for sitting down with the classic DVDs and watching and learning about the history and it has paid off both on screen and off I think. Tennant was a fanboy for a long time and it was evident and the respect he has for the show and the fans is blatently obvious. Eccleston on the other hand, brilliant as he was, never seemed to understand the hugeness of the role or the fandom that surrounded it and as a result has alienated himself somewhat from a lot of fandom who find him dismissive of them and the role. His choice, obviously, and it is neither right nor wrong, but it is a great shame.

I have to admit I often find myself slightly irked when I see interviews with Karen Gillan and she is completely clueless about the show before she was in it. She doesnt have to be a fan of it, but it wouldnt hurt to do a bit of research. She isnt the only one, but one that comes to mind off the top of my head

[chrissymarieb]

I agree that it shouldn't matter if the actors were fans of the show prior - what matters if if they are right for the role.  I also agree that it's great when actors take the time to do the research they need to understand the character's history.  Having said that, I can understand NOT wanting to re-watch everything for fear that you may mimic past performances rather than making the character your own and fresh.  I can see it either way. 

[Tardis-Console]

I think so. Don't get me wrong, I think that the best actor for the job should get it, but I think it is respectful of the show and the history to do your research. After all, you wouldnt go for a job interview without knowing anything about the company who is hiring you.

[poprockgeek]

I don't think it's essential that the person be a fan before they were cast - as has been said before Matt wasn't yet he's fab in the role IMO. But I do think that once cast it is vital that they explore the history of the show - you have to know something about where the Doctor has come from to take him further on in his journey and to understand the sheer weight of what you are truly taking on. I don't think this is just true of this show or role either - I would hope anyone going into a role that has been established does this (the actors taking over the iconic Star Trek roles for the 2009 movie are others that come to mind).

[Nyki]

I don't think it's essential that the person be a fan before they were cast - as has been said before Matt wasn't yet he's fab in the role IMO. But I do think that once cast it is vital that they explore the history of the show - you have to know something about where the Doctor has come from to take him further on in his journey and to understand the sheer weight of what you are truly taking on. I don't think this is just true of this show or role either - I would hope anyone going into a role that has been established does this (the actors taking over the iconic Star Trek roles for the 2009 movie are others that come to mind).

All I can say to that is "see above for my view"

[Aneurin]

I agree that it shouldn't matter if the actors were fans of the show prior - what matters if if they are right for the role.  I also agree that it's great when actors take the time to do the research they need to understand the character's history.  Having said that, I can understand NOT wanting to re-watch everything for fear that you may mimic past performances rather than making the character your own and fresh.  I can see it either way. 

While I can understand perhaps not wanting to watch too much of what has come before in case it leaks through into your performance, if you are the best actor for the job then you should be able to play the role without copying someone else anyway, regardless of how much you have already seen.

I think so. Don't get me wrong, I think that the best actor for the job should get it, but I think it is respectful of the show and the history to do your research. After all, you wouldnt go for a job interview without knowing anything about the company who is hiring you.

Exactly. I think that it is important to look back and discover and learn and extend your knowledge. There is no point having someone in the role who doesnt have a clue about what they are doing as the character or why they are doing it. Its a fine line admittedly, but I think it is important

[missadric2]

I think you need to have good knowledge of what you are letting yourself into. I mean us fans of the show know how important it is to us and needs someone who understands that and doesn't just regard it as another job like Chris did. He aws a brilliant doctor and could have gone far but yeah David and Matt are better because they love the show so much themselves. I think they need to find a balance of the two, know it is a job and have to perform and work hard but at the same time have a good understanding of the shows importance to its audience.

[Vampyros Adric]

I genuinely don't care if they have never seen an episode or don't like the show. I want the best possible actor for the job. I don't care if they don't know their sonic screwdriver from the Heisenberg compensator. Give me someone who can take me on a journey and act their socks off. This may sound a little strange but it is the character of the Doctor that fascinates me. I don't care about Matt Smith, or David Tennant or anyone else for that matter. They are actors doing a job. In the same way as I don't care about the mechanic who fixes my car, I don't care who they get to be the Doctor or whether they like what they do - I just want them to do as good a job as they can. In fact, sometimes it can actually be beneficial to have someone detached from the show as the star - they can bring in something new to the performance. So in answer to the main question, my vote is very definitely 'No' - I don't care who makes the dinner as long as I enjoy the food

What does annoy me, however, is those who have a needless poke at the fans after their time on the show. Thankfully this seems to be more of a phenomenon with other (i.e. Star Trek) franchises. Granted some extremes of fandom can be a little obsessive but generally we are all fairly harmless. This is why I love Jon Pertwee, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy & DT so much - they know fans just want a little piece of them and they can provide it with no real effort to themselves. That is a real nice touch and makes them just a little more special

[missadric2]

I can completely see where you are coming from it is important that they can do the job but don't you think it could benefit slightly if they like the job? Think about it if someone doesn't like the job then they aren't going to put their heart and sole into it which, personally, I think helps build the doctors character the most, without heart and sole the doctor would live don't you think?

[Saber]

I think it is. Or as other have said, it is at least important for the actor to take a vested interest in the history of the character and show. I think any actor who takes the role just as another 'job' is at more of a risk of failing in the role because they just won't understand the complexity of it. I don't care if they are a fan or even if they like the show, but they should make the effort to learn about its history and exactly who the Doctor is in order to play it properly. At least then they can put their own spin on the role without making it something entirely different