‘Feminist coup’ at Cluedo, as Mrs White makes way for Dr Orchid – and not everyone is happy
Servant is replaced by career woman of Asian descent – but it’s not the first time the board game has changed to reflect the times, as other toys and comics have
Hasbro. In the boardroom. With a press release.
That’s who killed Mrs White, one of the prime suspects in the murder at the heart of the board game Cluedo. Next month, the ageing cook will be replaced by a much more professionally accomplished character: biologist Dr Orchid, who holds a PhD in plant toxicology and appears to be of Asian descent.
Her back story is one of privilege and intrigue. She was “privately schooled in Switzerland until her expulsion following a near-fatal daffodil poisoning incident”. In a shocking twist, she was then home-schooled … by Mrs White.
Dun dun dun.
In a statement published by the Mental Floss website, Hasbro Gaming’s senior vice-president of global marketing said: “It was a difficult decision to say goodbye to Mrs White – but after 70 years of suspicious activity, we decided that one of the characters had to go. Dr Orchid is a brilliant new character with a rich back story … We’re sure families around the world will continue to create thrilling murder mysteries with all six suspects inside the iconic Tudor Mansion.”