Whoopi Goldberg wants to be the next 'Doctor Who' but fears being American will stop her
Whoopi Goldberg has announced her dream to be the next Doctor Who.
The 65-year-old actress is currently being celebrated as this year’s International Icon at the Edinburgh TV Festival, where she spoke about her 40-year-long career.
When discussing roles that got away from her, Goldberg admitted that she longed for the leading role in the sci-fi adventure series but believes she will never be the right fit.
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“I wanted to be Doctor Who and I still do,” Goldberg said.
“I think it would mean an evolution into being American and I don’t know that that’s correct for Doctor Who.
“I don’t know if I can usurp that, as much as I love it. I love watching it still in all the iterations.”
“There are certain things that are blatantly all English,” she continued.
“Doctor Who is like that to me. It’s like Marmite. It’s very English and needs to stay that way.”
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Goldberg’s comments come after the highly-celebrated series announced that Jodie Whittaker — the 13th incarnation of the Time Lord — will be stepping down from her position.
She made history as the first female to ever take on the leading role.
Both Whittaker and showrunner Chris Chibnall will be handing the reins of the show over to someone new at the end of their current run.
This will include a new series, which has already been filmed, as well as a series of specials.
Whittaker’s replacement is yet to be announced.
Read more: Jodie Whittaker to step down from 'Doctor Who' role
Goldberg’s groundbreaking career has spanned four decades, with her work making her one of only 16 people in history to earn ‘EGOT’ status.
An EGOT is an actor, director, producer or writer who successfully earns gongs at the four main awards shows throughout their career: an Emmy (for television); a Grammy (for music); an Oscar (for film) and a Tony (for theatre).
Legendary roles include leading parts in Sister Act, Ghost, The Colour Purple and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
During the conversation, Goldberg said she was grateful to be in a position to help other people of colour - and how she fought to get her own voice heard in the conversation.
“You learn how to keep pushing for what you want in the ways that work in the experience you’re in,” she said. “When you have a lot of clout, you can get a lot done, but when you don’t have clout, you can’t, but it doesn’t mean you’re not trying.
“I wanted to work. When I had the opportunity to say ‘I would like to see XYZ happen’, it happened here and there, but it didn’t take hold.”
“Nothing happened hugely as things are starting to happen now,” she concluded. “It’s taken some time but I’m glad to see it happen.”
Goldberg currently has a recurring spot on US chat show The View, the American version of ITV’s Loose Women, and continues to act.
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Roles this year include Mother Abagail Freemantle in an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand, and voicing a character in Marvel’s MODOK.
Sister Act 3 is currently in production.
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