David Tennant slams government plans for “distinctively British” shows
The actor asked if the concept of Britishness meant “‘made in Britain’ or programmes that have a certain political viewpoint?”
By Grace Almond
David Tennant has criticised government plans to force broadcasters to make “distinctively British” shows.
The government initiative to make more “British” programmes was announced by former Minister of State for Media and Data John Whittingdale in a speech at the Royal Television Society conference on September 15.
Whittingdale said public service broadcasters should expand their remit, and produce “distinctively British” content, citing shows such as ‘Only Fools and Horses’, ‘Fleabag’, ‘Derry Girls’ and ‘Doctor Who’ as examples.
Whittingdale reflected on the international success of these programmes, and admitted that Britishness was “a difficult concept to measure”, explaining that Ofcom would be asked to define it.
Whittingdale’s comments sparked criticism online, with one user writing “HMG plans laws requiring public broadcasters to produce ‘distinctively British’ programmes such as Fleabag, Derry Girls and Only Fools and Horses. THIS IS NOT A JOKE”.
Another wrote: “Real shivers down the spine moment reading this.”
In an interview with the Radio Times for the magazine’s Christmas edition (18-31 December 2021) , Tennant (‘Around the World in 80 Days’, ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Broadchurch’) questioned why it was necessary for the UK government to push broadcasters towards programmes rooted in “Britishness” and whether there was a deeper meaning behind the plans.
“Is there some inherent criticism within this plea for more Britishness?” said Tennant. “Did Britishness mean ‘made in Britain’ or programmes that have a certain political viewpoint?”
Tennant continued: “Is it just a government pleading for the artist to be more sympathetic towards it?Why would the government feel they need more sympathy directed towards them? Perhaps that’s a question they should ask themselves, rather than trying to blame it on the television industry.”
David Tennant is set to appear in the upcoming BBC period drama series ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ alongside Ibrahim Koma (‘As Far as I Can Walk’), who will play Passepartout and Leonie Benesch (‘The Swarm’) as Abigail. Tennant will play the story’s lead character, Phileas Fogg.
During the interview, Tennant also said that his portrayal of Fogg represents the Victorian traveller as “a different type of stuff Englishman”, adding that he “represents everything that’s alarming and peculiar about that old sense of British Empire.”
The series has already been renewed for a second season. ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ debuts in the UK on Boxing Day.