Apart from the fact that Dr who is a gender-free alien, Star Wars was a massive rated hit, and Ghostbusters was a fun reboot, your points are really valid.
They've been experimenting with gender since 2011 when Matt Smith referencing a character as both genders. Missy (at least two gender time-lord) was a breath of fresh air but couldn't save the tiredness of the writing in the last series - it was the only series that I've missed some episodes...