Rumors of Possible Recasting of Captain Jack Harkness Sends Fans into a Tizzy

Aug 28, 2012

As plans are being put in motion for the 50^th anniversary of Doctor Who rumors are spreading that producer Stephan Moffat will recast the character of Captain Jack Harkness. Fans of John Barrowman have responded on the internet with reactions ranging from shock to disappointment to out and out vitriol and hate. I’d say the actor who’ll portray the time tripping Captain will have their work cut out for them but I can’t see the reasoning for all the negative reaction.

Granted, Moffat hasn’t always played straight with the fans and I have to say there have been a lot more misses with him helming the show but recasting the role isn’t going to be one of them. Obviously if the return of Jack were to be a one shot deal – possibly for a special anniversary episode – then I’d hope Barrowman would arrange to take a break from his new recurring role on the CW’s Arrow to hop the pond and film his scenes. On the other hand, if Harkness is to be featured in a few episodes it only makes sense to bring in a new actor; the character is just too full of story avenues for the writers to simply ignore him because Barrowman isn’t available for the part.

If there’s blame to be laid for another actor coming in as Jack Harkness don’t send hate mail to Steven Mofit but to the folks behind the scenes at the BBC. Doctor Who would still have Barrowman if the “beeb” hadn’t left Torchwood sitting in limbo or treated it as a red headed step child even before Miracle Day aired. All indications have been Torchwood is dead and, being a performer, John Barrowman has to eat so he pursued other roles here in the States.

I have to say I’m a big fan of John’s as he was about the only thing that made the last few episodes of Miracle Day even tolerable. His appearances in Doctor Who also seemed to raise the bar of those particular episodes and brought a lot of fun every time. Yet I also understand John doesn’t own the character of Jack Harkness and if there’s one thing we’ve learned from nearly fifty years of Doctor Who is there’s constant change. Changes of Doctors, companions, writers, producers, you name it! To get all bent out of shape because an actor is being replaced in a show where everyone is replaced seems a bit silly to tell the truth.

So lots of luck to whomever is cast in the role and if I need a John Barrowman fix I know I can find him on the CW.

Or in episodes of Torchwood.

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Jeff McAleer

Founder/Editor-in-chief of The Gaming Gang website and host of The Gaming Gang Dispatch and other TGG media, Jeff tackles any and all sorts of games but has a special fondness for strategy, conflict sims, and roleplaying games. Plus, he's certainly never at a loss for an opinion...