‘Doctor Who’: Neil Gaiman Claims A Black Actor Turned Down The Role

Writer Neil Gaiman claims Doctor Who came very close to changing races.

According to the award-winning author, Peter Capaldi may not have been the first choice for the iconic role. Gaiman said that a black actor turned down the opportunity to star in the long-running series. Unfortunately, he isn’t coughing up any names.

The author has been busy answering all sorts of Doctor Who-related questions on Tumblr. Although the character will be played by a white guy this time around, the writer has high hopes for the future.

“And yes, I have no doubt there will be [a black Doctor]. (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,” Neil Gaiman explained.

Unfortunately, the author isn’t revealing any juicy details about the guy for the time being. Instead, you’ll just have to spend the evening using your own imagination.

“You can ask, but seeing that it was something I was told in confidence by the actor in question, you won’t get an answer,” he wrote on Tumblr.

Gaiman also discussed the possibility of Doctor Who changing genders at some point during the series. The American Gods mastermind firmly believes a female will take over the role during the good doctor’s many regenerations.

“I’d rather see a female Doctor as a reaction to whatever Peter Capaldi is, than as a reaction to Matt’s creation,” the writer explained to his fans.

Like it or not, Peter Capaldi will take over the lead role in the popular sci-fi series. Although it appeared that a woman was leading the charge, the BBC announced on Sunday that the 55-year-old Scottish actor had been tapped to play the 12th doctor.

What do you think about Neil Gaiman’s claim that a black actor turned down the chance to play Doctor Who? Do you feel it’s time for the show to switch gears?

[Image via Entertainment Press / Shutterstock.com]