Seventh Doctor actor Sylvester McCoy defends political stories Doctor Who. Taking over the role from Sixth Doctor Colin Baker in 1987 until the end of the classic series in 1989, McCoy's Doctor was both a leader and a trickster who challenged the powerful forces of the universe. Although his tenure brought the series to an end, the actor reprized his role in Big Finish's audio dramas as well as returning to the screen. Doctor Who's 1996 TV movie and 2022's Doctor Who.
as Doctor Who McCoy , which will rerun its 25th season in a new box set, attended the BFI screening of the revamped 'Happiness Patrol', where he commented on why political storytelling is essential to the series' success (via Radio Times). The actor, who defended his place in the franchise from criticism by certain outlets in recent years, explained that part of the original appeal of the series was how it connected with younger generations during its release In the 1960s. Watch McCoy's full explanation below:
In the 60s I was hooked on Doctor Who and that was because of the politics in it. The 60s were starting to rock, they were starting to change… it was a revolution of sorts, a peaceful and beautiful revolution going on, and Doctor Who was the only decent thing. [the BBC] There was something that spoke politically to young people like me at the time. So, in my opinion, it's always been political.
McCoy's Era saw some incredibly direct real-world parallels
With McCoy's comments, it's no surprise that his incarnation of the Doctor has been involved in some of the show's most famous political stories. It wasn't just McCoy's original Doctor Who auditions pit her character against a tyrant known as “The Iron Lady,” but the aforementioned “Happiness Patrol” featured Helen A, a character heavily inspired by Margaret Thatcher. Eventually, Helen A's grip on Terra Alpha was shattered by a worker revolt. A move inspired by the Miner's Strikes of the 1980s.
Even McCoy's encounter with the Daleks in Remembrance of the Daleks brought the species closer to their real-world inspiration than before. While in the past Doctor Who stories drew on their fascist inspirations, a 1988 episode saw the Renegade faction fighting in the Dalek Civil War team up with a group of British fascists unhappy with Britain's alliances in World War II. terrible reaction. Direct parallels are drawn between the warring Daleks and human fans.
Doctor Who he always wears his political commentary on his sleeve. The series had an incredibly diverse creative team for its time, and always has, as more storytellers have been allowed to tell their own tales within the universe. so that commentary on the series is an essential element in helping it continue to this dayand that's something McCoy has a lot of respect for.
Source: RadioTimes
