• [NEWS] BBC told off for enthicity-swapping Isaac Newton (among other PC silliness)

    From Your Name@YourName@YourISP.com to rec.arts.drwho on Fri Jan 30 11:06:10 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho


    What a NON-surprise ... ethnicity-swapping (and gender-swapping)
    characters was always an insanely stupid idea. It was done solely to
    meet quotas and appease the 'Politically Correct' whiners.



    BBC Told To Avoid "Clunky" Color-Blind Casting
    & "Preachy" Anti-Colonial Storylines In Drama Series
    ----------------------------------------------------
    The BBC has been urged to rethink color-blind casting "tokenism"
    and "preachy" storylines about the UK's colonial history in
    scripted series, according to a major study commissioned by the
    broadcaster.

    Conducted by former BAFTA chair Anne Morrison and ex-Ofcom
    executive Chris Banatvala, the thematic review of "portrayal and
    representation" across BBC output found that "clunky" depictions
    of race can cause more harm than good.

    The 80-page report revealed audience complaints about Doctor Who 
    casting Nathaniel Curtis as Sir Isaac Newton in the 60th
    anniversary special "Wild Blue Yonder," as well as the 2023 
    Agatha Christie series Murder Is Easy, which featured an
    allegory on colonialism.

    The review noted that colour-blind casting was a matter of
    controversy for commentators and some viewers. Urging
    commissioners to "consider their choices carefully," the report
    said that good intentions to increase diversity can lead to
    inauthentic outcomes - outcomes that can sometimes be damaging to
    the communities they are attempting to serve.

    "In depicting an anachronistic historical world in which people
    of colour are able to rise to the top of society as scientists,
    artists, courtiers and Lords of the Realm, there may be the
    unintended consequence of erasing the past exclusion and
    oppression of ethnic minorities and breeding complacency about
    their former opportunities," the review said.

    "What needs to be avoided is ethnic diversity which looks forced
    and tick box, and we found our interviewees of colour as emphatic
    on this point as those who were white."

    The report said that the BBC's efforts to measure representation
    should be done at a genre level, rather than on a show-by-show
    basis. It said current measurements can "lead to a sense that
    there needs to be a smattering of diversity in every programme
    which can lead to inauthentic portrayal." It added:

    "In some cases, this can look clunky, particularly in scripted."

    Authors Morrison and Banatvala also warned against "clunky"
    attempts to boost diversity in storytelling, pointing to the
    Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy, starring David Jonsson. At the
    time the series aired, director Meenu Gaur said that storytelling
    from West African Yoruba culture had informed sequences in the
    drama, saying it was a "great allegorical story about
    colonialism."

    The thematic review said: "Audiences are particularly unforgiving
    of this if it challenges their expectations of what they have
    switched on to see. If there's an Agatha Christie murder mystery
    over the Christmas period, they won't expect to be taken into
    anti-colonial struggles, alongside the country-house murder. Unless
    it's very skilfully done, there is a danger it will feel overly
    didactic and preachy, as if the viewer is being lectured or a point
    is being made heavy-handedly."

    The review was informed by a survey of 4,518 UK adults, interviews
    with 100 BBC employees and observers, and an analysis of BBC
    content over a year-long period to the end of March 2024. It said
    that authenticity was critical to content resonating with audiences,
    with successful BBC series cited in the research including Michaela
    Coel's I May Destroy You and Man Like Mobeen, created by Guz Khan.

    Yonder Consulting, which undertook audience research, said: "In terms
    of what made for 'poor' representation across the media landscape,
    participants across the breadth of the qualitative sample highlighted
    'tokenistic' representation of minority groups or perceived 'quota
    filling', in which attempts to represent felt incongruous, overdone
    or unnecessary."

    Yonder said that when on-screen diversity missed the mark, it could
    "drive people away" from the BBC. "Representation alone was not
    enough - people also expected deep and nuanced portrayal," it added.

    The BBC welcomed the findings and said it planned to "systematically"
    review upcoming content plans to "ensure underrepresented audience
    groups are reflected authentically." The BBC added that it would
    update its "measurement framework" in the coming months, potentially
    changing the way it monitors representation across shows.

    Kate Phillips, the BBC's chief content officer, said: "As this
    detailed and thoughtful review notes, much has been achieved since
    we pledged to move more BBC production and commissioning across the
    UK, but what is also clear is there is still more to do - both here
    and across the industry. We accept that challenge and we are
    committed to going further to meaningfully reflect the lives of the
    audiences we serve."

    BBC chair Samir Shah added: "It is vital the BBC authentically
    reflects the lives of all the communities, classes, and cultures
    across the UK. Decision-making must happen closer to audiences if we
    want to ensure that everyone feels represented and that the BBC
    remains an engine for growth within the creative industries."



    <https://www.gallifreyannewsroom.com/bbc-told-to-avoid-clunky-color-blind-casting-preachy-anti-colonial-storylines-in-drama-series/>





    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From doctor@doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca (The Doctor) to rec.arts.drwho on Fri Jan 30 01:18:12 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho

    In article <10lglkh$1l7o0$2@dont-email.me>,
    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:

    What a NON-surprise ... ethnicity-swapping (and gender-swapping)
    characters was always an insanely stupid idea. It was done solely to
    meet quotas and appease the 'Politically Correct' whiners.



    BBC Told To Avoid "Clunky" Color-Blind Casting
    & "Preachy" Anti-Colonial Storylines In Drama Series
    ----------------------------------------------------
    The BBC has been urged to rethink color-blind casting "tokenism"
    and "preachy" storylines about the UK's colonial history in
    scripted series, according to a major study commissioned by the
    broadcaster.

    Conducted by former BAFTA chair Anne Morrison and ex-Ofcom
    executive Chris Banatvala, the thematic review of "portrayal and
    representation" across BBC output found that "clunky" depictions
    of race can cause more harm than good.

    The 80-page report revealed audience complaints about Doctor Who 
    casting Nathaniel Curtis as Sir Isaac Newton in the 60th
    anniversary special "Wild Blue Yonder," as well as the 2023 
    Agatha Christie series Murder Is Easy, which featured an
    allegory on colonialism.

    The review noted that colour-blind casting was a matter of
    controversy for commentators and some viewers. Urging
    commissioners to "consider their choices carefully," the report
    said that good intentions to increase diversity can lead to
    inauthentic outcomes - outcomes that can sometimes be damaging to
    the communities they are attempting to serve.

    "In depicting an anachronistic historical world in which people
    of colour are able to rise to the top of society as scientists,
    artists, courtiers and Lords of the Realm, there may be the
    unintended consequence of erasing the past exclusion and
    oppression of ethnic minorities and breeding complacency about
    their former opportunities," the review said.

    "What needs to be avoided is ethnic diversity which looks forced
    and tick box, and we found our interviewees of colour as emphatic
    on this point as those who were white."

    The report said that the BBC's efforts to measure representation
    should be done at a genre level, rather than on a show-by-show
    basis. It said current measurements can "lead to a sense that
    there needs to be a smattering of diversity in every programme
    which can lead to inauthentic portrayal." It added:

    "In some cases, this can look clunky, particularly in scripted."

    Authors Morrison and Banatvala also warned against "clunky"
    attempts to boost diversity in storytelling, pointing to the
    Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy, starring David Jonsson. At the
    time the series aired, director Meenu Gaur said that storytelling
    from West African Yoruba culture had informed sequences in the
    drama, saying it was a "great allegorical story about
    colonialism."

    The thematic review said: "Audiences are particularly unforgiving
    of this if it challenges their expectations of what they have
    switched on to see. If there's an Agatha Christie murder mystery
    over the Christmas period, they won't expect to be taken into
    anti-colonial struggles, alongside the country-house murder. Unless
    it's very skilfully done, there is a danger it will feel overly
    didactic and preachy, as if the viewer is being lectured or a point
    is being made heavy-handedly."

    The review was informed by a survey of 4,518 UK adults, interviews
    with 100 BBC employees and observers, and an analysis of BBC
    content over a year-long period to the end of March 2024. It said
    that authenticity was critical to content resonating with audiences,
    with successful BBC series cited in the research including Michaela
    Coel's I May Destroy You and Man Like Mobeen, created by Guz Khan.

    Yonder Consulting, which undertook audience research, said: "In terms
    of what made for 'poor' representation across the media landscape,
    participants across the breadth of the qualitative sample highlighted
    'tokenistic' representation of minority groups or perceived 'quota
    filling', in which attempts to represent felt incongruous, overdone
    or unnecessary."

    Yonder said that when on-screen diversity missed the mark, it could
    "drive people away" from the BBC. "Representation alone was not
    enough - people also expected deep and nuanced portrayal," it added.

    The BBC welcomed the findings and said it planned to "systematically"
    review upcoming content plans to "ensure underrepresented audience
    groups are reflected authentically." The BBC added that it would
    update its "measurement framework" in the coming months, potentially
    changing the way it monitors representation across shows.

    Kate Phillips, the BBC's chief content officer, said: "As this
    detailed and thoughtful review notes, much has been achieved since
    we pledged to move more BBC production and commissioning across the
    UK, but what is also clear is there is still more to do - both here
    and across the industry. We accept that challenge and we are
    committed to going further to meaningfully reflect the lives of the
    audiences we serve."

    BBC chair Samir Shah added: "It is vital the BBC authentically
    reflects the lives of all the communities, classes, and cultures
    across the UK. Decision-making must happen closer to audiences if we
    want to ensure that everyone feels represented and that the BBC
    remains an engine for growth within the creative industries."



    <https://www.gallifreyannewsroom.com/bbc-told-to-avoid-clunky-color-blind-casting-preachy-anti-colonial-storylines-in-drama-series/>






    They looks for it.
    --
    Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
    Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising! Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
    Birthdate 29 Jan 1969 Redhill surrey England
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Daniel70@daniel47@nomail.afraid.org to rec.arts.drwho on Fri Jan 30 21:48:21 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho

    On 30/01/2026 12:18 pm, The Doctor wrote:
    In article <10lglkh$1l7o0$2@dont-email.me>,
    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:

    <Snip>

    <https://www.gallifreyannewsroom.com/bbc-told-to-avoid-clunky-color-blind-casting-preachy-anti-colonial-storylines-in-drama-series/>

    They looks for it.

    English, Binky, ENGLISH!!
    --
    Daniel70
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From doctor@doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca (The Doctor) to rec.arts.drwho on Fri Jan 30 11:42:07 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho

    In article <10li29l$219vb$2@dont-email.me>,
    Daniel70 <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
    On 30/01/2026 12:18 pm, The Doctor wrote:
    In article <10lglkh$1l7o0$2@dont-email.me>,
    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:

    <Snip>

    <https://www.gallifreyannewsroom.com/bbc-told-to-avoid-clunky-color-blind-casting-preachy-anti-colonial-storylines-in-drama-series/>

    They looks for it.

    English, Binky(Word used by paedophiles to indicate their
    joy of child sexual molestation), ENGLISH!!
    --
    PaedoDaniel70

    Next PaedoDan?
    --
    Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
    Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising! Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
    Birthdate 29 Jan 1969 Redhill surrey England
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Blueshirt@blueshirt@indigo.news to rec.arts.drwho on Sat Jan 31 10:55:52 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho

    Your Name wrote:


    BBC Told To Avoid "Clunky" Color-Blind Casting
    & "Preachy" Anti-Colonial Storylines In Drama Series ----------------------------------------------------
    The BBC has been urged to rethink color-blind casting
    "tokenism" and "preachy" storylines about the UK's colonial
    history in scripted series, according to a major study
    commissioned by the broadcaster.

    Conducted by former BAFTA chair Anne Morrison and ex-Ofcom
    executive Chris Banatvala, the thematic review of
    "portrayal and representation" across BBC output found that
    "clunky" depictions of race can cause more harm than good.

    I wonder if the BBC will take on board these criticisms? Or
    just double-down and carry on with what they do?

    The 80-page report revealed audience complaints
    about Doctor Who casting Nathaniel Curtis as Sir Isaac
    Newton in the 60th anniversary special "Wild Blue Yonder,"
    as well as the 2023 Agatha Christie series Murder Is Easy,
    which featured an allegory on colonialism.

    I was more upset with "Murder is Easy" than I was with Ravi
    Newton.

    Did the report mention giving Davros legs? Or is that sort of
    forced inclusivity not as important as the racial anachronisms?

    Authors Morrison and Banatvala also warned against "clunky"
    attempts to boost diversity in storytelling, pointing to the
    Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy, starring David Jonsson.
    At the time the series aired, director Meenu Gaur said that
    storytelling from West African Yoruba culture had informed
    sequences in the drama, saying it was a "great allegorical
    story about colonialism."

    It was an awful adaptation, and I think I said that here at the
    time. Agatha Christie's "Murder is Easy" novel contained nothing
    about West African culture, whatsoever... so it shouldn't have
    been in the 'adaptation'. All the mixed-race couples in the
    rural English villages of the past stood out like a sore thumb
    in the episodes too. It was completely unrealistic.

    BBC chair Samir Shah added: "It is vital the BBC
    authentically reflects the lives of all the communities,
    classes, and cultures across the UK. Decision-making must
    happen closer to audiences if we want to ensure that
    everyone feels represented and that the BBC remains an
    engine for growth within the creative industries."

    No period drama on the BBC is "authentic" anymore...


    <https://www.gallifreyannewsroom.com/bbc-told-to-avoid-clunky-color-blind-casting-preachy-anti-colonial-storylines-in-drama-series/>

    If the BBC appoint Peter McTighe as the next Doctor Who
    showrunner when RTD leaves (as rumoured), nothing will change.
    They are cut from the same cloth.
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From doctor@doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca (The Doctor) to rec.arts.drwho on Sat Jan 31 13:03:17 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho

    In article <xn0plflyp2m825t001@post.eweka.nl>,
    Blueshirt <blueshirt@indigo.news> wrote:
    Your Name wrote:


    BBC Told To Avoid "Clunky" Color-Blind Casting
    & "Preachy" Anti-Colonial Storylines In Drama Series
    ----------------------------------------------------
    The BBC has been urged to rethink color-blind casting
    "tokenism" and "preachy" storylines about the UK's colonial
    history in scripted series, according to a major study
    commissioned by the broadcaster.

    Conducted by former BAFTA chair Anne Morrison and ex-Ofcom
    executive Chris Banatvala, the thematic review of
    "portrayal and representation" across BBC output found that
    "clunky" depictions of race can cause more harm than good.

    I wonder if the BBC will take on board these criticisms? Or
    just double-down and carry on with what they do?

    The 80-page report revealed audience complaints
    about Doctor Who casting Nathaniel Curtis as Sir Isaac
    Newton in the 60th anniversary special "Wild Blue Yonder,"
    as well as the 2023 Agatha Christie series Murder Is Easy,
    which featured an allegory on colonialism.

    I was more upset with "Murder is Easy" than I was with Ravi
    Newton.

    Did the report mention giving Davros legs? Or is that sort of
    forced inclusivity not as important as the racial anachronisms?

    Authors Morrison and Banatvala also warned against "clunky"
    attempts to boost diversity in storytelling, pointing to the
    Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy, starring David Jonsson.
    At the time the series aired, director Meenu Gaur said that
    storytelling from West African Yoruba culture had informed
    sequences in the drama, saying it was a "great allegorical
    story about colonialism."

    It was an awful adaptation, and I think I said that here at the
    time. Agatha Christie's "Murder is Easy" novel contained nothing
    about West African culture, whatsoever... so it shouldn't have
    been in the 'adaptation'. All the mixed-race couples in the
    rural English villages of the past stood out like a sore thumb
    in the episodes too. It was completely unrealistic.

    BBC chair Samir Shah added: "It is vital the BBC
    authentically reflects the lives of all the communities,
    classes, and cultures across the UK. Decision-making must
    happen closer to audiences if we want to ensure that
    everyone feels represented and that the BBC remains an
    engine for growth within the creative industries."

    No period drama on the BBC is "authentic" anymore...

    <https://www.gallifreyannewsroom.com/bbc-told-to-avoid-clunky-color-blind-casting-preachy-anti-colonial-storylines-in-drama-series/>

    If the BBC appoint Peter McTighe as the next Doctor Who
    showrunner when RTD leaves (as rumoured), nothing will change.
    They are cut from the same cloth.

    No to Peter McTighe! RTD Out! Bad Wolf Out! McTighe out!
    --
    Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
    Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising! Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
    Birthdate 29 Jan 1969 Redhill surrey England
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Your Name@YourName@YourISP.com to rec.arts.drwho on Sun Feb 1 10:35:31 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho

    On 2026-01-31 10:55:52 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    Your Name wrote:

    BBC Told To Avoid "Clunky" Color-Blind Casting
    & "Preachy" Anti-Colonial Storylines In Drama Series
    ----------------------------------------------------
    The BBC has been urged to rethink color-blind casting
    "tokenism" and "preachy" storylines about the UK's colonial
    history in scripted series, according to a major study
    commissioned by the broadcaster.

    Conducted by former BAFTA chair Anne Morrison and ex-Ofcom
    executive Chris Banatvala, the thematic review of
    "portrayal and representation" across BBC output found that
    "clunky" depictions of race can cause more harm than good.

    I wonder if the BBC will take on board these criticisms? Or
    just double-down and carry on with what they do?

    It's not just the BBC ... idiotic "Political Correctness" is EVERYWHERE. X-(



    The 80-page report revealed audience complaints
    about Doctor Who casting Nathaniel Curtis as Sir Isaac
    Newton in the 60th anniversary special "Wild Blue Yonder,"
    as well as the 2023 Agatha Christie series Murder Is Easy,
    which featured an allegory on colonialism.

    I was more upset with "Murder is Easy" than I was with Ravi
    Newton.

    Did the report mention giving Davros legs? Or is that sort of
    forced inclusivity not as important as the racial anachronisms?

    Authors Morrison and Banatvala also warned against "clunky"
    attempts to boost diversity in storytelling, pointing to the
    Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy, starring David Jonsson.
    At the time the series aired, director Meenu Gaur said that
    storytelling from West African Yoruba culture had informed
    sequences in the drama, saying it was a "great allegorical
    story about colonialism."

    It was an awful adaptation, and I think I said that here at the
    time. Agatha Christie's "Murder is Easy" novel contained nothing
    about West African culture, whatsoever... so it shouldn't have
    been in the 'adaptation'. All the mixed-race couples in the
    rural English villages of the past stood out like a sore thumb
    in the episodes too. It was completely unrealistic.

    BBC chair Samir Shah added: "It is vital the BBC
    authentically reflects the lives of all the communities,
    classes, and cultures across the UK. Decision-making must
    happen closer to audiences if we want to ensure that
    everyone feels represented and that the BBC remains an
    engine for growth within the creative industries."

    No period drama on the BBC is "authentic" anymore...


    <https://www.gallifreyannewsroom.com/bbc-told-to-avoid-clunky-color-blind-casting-preachy-anti-colonial-storylines-in-drama-series/>


    If the BBC appoint Peter McTighe as the next Doctor Who
    showrunner when RTD leaves (as rumoured), nothing will change.
    They are cut from the same cloth.


    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From doctor@doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca (The Doctor) to rec.arts.drwho on Sun Feb 1 01:14:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.drwho

    In article <10llsj3$38578$1@dont-email.me>,
    Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:
    On 2026-01-31 10:55:52 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    Your Name wrote:

    BBC Told To Avoid "Clunky" Color-Blind Casting
    & "Preachy" Anti-Colonial Storylines In Drama Series
    ----------------------------------------------------
    The BBC has been urged to rethink color-blind casting
    "tokenism" and "preachy" storylines about the UK's colonial
    history in scripted series, according to a major study
    commissioned by the broadcaster.

    Conducted by former BAFTA chair Anne Morrison and ex-Ofcom
    executive Chris Banatvala, the thematic review of
    "portrayal and representation" across BBC output found that
    "clunky" depictions of race can cause more harm than good.

    I wonder if the BBC will take on board these criticisms? Or
    just double-down and carry on with what they do?

    It's not just the BBC ... idiotic "Political Correctness" is EVERYWHERE. X-(


    Go woke! Go Broke!



    The 80-page report revealed audience complaints
    about Doctor Who casting Nathaniel Curtis as Sir Isaac
    Newton in the 60th anniversary special "Wild Blue Yonder,"
    as well as the 2023 Agatha Christie series Murder Is Easy,
    which featured an allegory on colonialism.

    I was more upset with "Murder is Easy" than I was with Ravi
    Newton.

    Did the report mention giving Davros legs? Or is that sort of
    forced inclusivity not as important as the racial anachronisms?

    Authors Morrison and Banatvala also warned against "clunky"
    attempts to boost diversity in storytelling, pointing to the
    Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy, starring David Jonsson.
    At the time the series aired, director Meenu Gaur said that
    storytelling from West African Yoruba culture had informed
    sequences in the drama, saying it was a "great allegorical
    story about colonialism."

    It was an awful adaptation, and I think I said that here at the
    time. Agatha Christie's "Murder is Easy" novel contained nothing
    about West African culture, whatsoever... so it shouldn't have
    been in the 'adaptation'. All the mixed-race couples in the
    rural English villages of the past stood out like a sore thumb
    in the episodes too. It was completely unrealistic.

    BBC chair Samir Shah added: "It is vital the BBC
    authentically reflects the lives of all the communities,
    classes, and cultures across the UK. Decision-making must
    happen closer to audiences if we want to ensure that
    everyone feels represented and that the BBC remains an
    engine for growth within the creative industries."

    No period drama on the BBC is "authentic" anymore...


    <https://www.gallifreyannewsroom.com/bbc-told-to-avoid-clunky-color-blind-casting-preachy-anti-colonial-storylines-in-drama-series/>


    If the BBC appoint Peter McTighe as the next Doctor Who
    showrunner when RTD leaves (as rumoured), nothing will change.
    They are cut from the same cloth.


    --
    Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
    Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising! Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
    All I want to hear from Jesus is WEll Done Good and Faithful Servant.
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2