New Series of Doctor Who

The new series of Doctor Who has started on BBC1 with Freema Aygeman in the role that is effectivley the Rose role. It is interesting to note that the actress is black which is a new venture for the Doctor.

I wonder if this was a conscious decision by the beeb to appeal to a larger audience, namely ethnic minorites and such like. I assume that the character of Martha is going to be as strong headed and indepedently minded as Rose as the series progresses to show to the female audiences that the women in the programme are portrayed in a flattering and contemporary light in comparison to the rather feeble female characters during Doctor Who before the revamp.