A Female Doctor

[Peri-Peri]

There is always lots of talk about this around regen time, and it seems to be that it is always being more seriously considered, but would you want the Doctor to be a woman?

Personally, I really wouldn't. I know that it is (now) established that Timelords can change gender, but the character of the Doctor is a man and I think he should stay as one. Likewise, I would never want a female Master or male Rani. Just because they can, it doesn't mean they should.

[Iceman]

I'm going to be serious for a moment. (Savor the flavor, because it doesn't happen often)

A female Doctor would be completely fine. But it would need to be done right. My issue is that they would try to make it a point every episode to say "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!" Finale: "Yeah shes female, but she's the still the Doctor!"

If it could just *be*, then it would be fine. But it wouldn't. They would draw attention to it too much, and I fear it would take away from the show.

[Nyki]

I wouldn't particularly want it.  I agree with PP, the Doctor's a male character.  The Corsair is the only Time Lord it's ever been suggested changed gender, and maybe that's because s/he psychologically had mixed gender.  The Doctor has never seemed to.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to see a cool Time Lady (if they could get round the "last of the Time Lords" issue) but not as the Doctor.

[poprockgeek]

This is going to be a bit all over the place because I'm not totally sure where I stand on this, so I hope it makes some kind of sense.

I'm not mad keen on the idea, but I'd give it a chance. However, I wouldn't want it done just because it ticks a box or whatever. I'd only be ok with it if the best person for the job at the time was a woman, because to me that is the only qualification for any job - that you are the best person for it. And like Icey I wouldn't want an issue made of it.

I'm not overly sure why some people really seem to push for it though - yes we need more awesome female characters in sci-fi/fantasy (well all genres really) but don't take them away from the men - create some kick-ass new female characters - that's what I want to see.

[The Doc]

I honestly don't think they could pull it off without it seeming like it was a gimmick. No matter how subtle and how great the story, it would always seem like a stunt. I'd rather it was always a guy. I don't care about the race, but it should always be a guy. And British.

[Saber]

Nope, don't want it. The Doctor is a man and should stay a man. I think people calling for a woman are just people looking to tick boxes. It's not going to make the show any better. It's the same as when they say there should be a black Doctor. Why should there be? I'd rather have the best actor in the role who just happens to be black, than having the best black actor in the role, who isn't the best overall, just to appease people who want to see all avenues covered. Whoever is best suited to the role should always get the job, but the sex should always remain male.

[Exterminate]

Nope, don't want it. The Doctor is a man and should stay a man. I think people calling for a woman are just people looking to tick boxes. It's not going to make the show any better. It's the same as when they say there should be a black Doctor. Why should there be? I'd rather have the best actor in the role who just happens to be black, than having the best black actor in the role, who isn't the best overall, just to appease people who want to see all avenues covered. Whoever is best suited to the role should always get the job, but the sex should always remain male.

Spot on! This job, or any other, should not be given on the basis of ticking boxes. It should go to the best man for the role, but it should always be a man.

[Sparky]

I hope it never happens. I don't want to see a woman as the Doctor. I don't think I would ever take it as seriously because it would always seem like a gimmick

[chrissymarieb]

Being female, a lot of people assume that I would like The Doctor to regenerate into a woman.  But I really, really wouldn't want that.  The Doctor is a man - always has been and always should be.  Just like I wouldn't want them to suddenly make a classic female character a man, I don't think that The Doctor should be a woman.  I agree with the comments above that it would just serve to 'tick a box'.  I think it would be far more interesting to introduce a new female time lord who is a strong character and a match for The Doctor.

[Simone]

I think putting a woman in the role would only serve to tick boxes. While the actress may be fantastic, I think most people just wouldn't take it seriously and no matter how good the writing and the stories and the acting, it would just end up being a bad move for the show. He has always been a man and I think he always should be.