As you’ve probably heard by now, Matt Smith will be leaving Doctor Who following the Christmas special. Considering this rumor has been going around for some time now, we can’t say that we’re terribly surprised. While we’ll be sad to see Matt go, this announcement has sparked endless amusing debate over who should play the next doctor. At this point the name of nearly every living British actor (and some Americans) has been proposed to take up the helm of the iconic character. Not wanting to miss out on the lively debat, we thought we’d provide you with a rundown of our favorite choices.
From the likely candidates, to the fan favorites, to the never-going-to-happens-but-that-won’t-stop-us-from-begging-Moffat, here is our wish list for Twelve.
Unique Geek’s Picks
Ben Whishaw:
He’s a RADA grad with a long list of awards and stage credits to his name, but he’s still relatively unknown to American audiences outside of his role as Q in Skyfall. His incredibly versatile acting could really shine in the role of The Doctor and his physical appearance (Pale, younger, tall, thin) seems to meld with the current trend in the casting department of the show.
James Frain:
Another relative unknown for those who haven’t been watching HBO or Showtime in the past 7-ish years, his career is long and varied playing villains, heroes and sometimes even the unlikely love interest. I would love to see his skills on display on Doctor Who playing a much darker and more brooding character than Matt Smith, and considering he’s been approached for the role of The Doctor before it might be more likely than you’d think.
Chiwetel Ejiofor:
Yes, another relative unknown with a ridiculous resume (the BBC likes casting unknowns that happen to have Olivier or BAFTA nominations). He is on the record saying he would be up for taking over the role after Matt Smith left, and they couldn’t pick more reliable hands for Matt to leave the role in. Plus, his stint as Othello in 2008 that won him an Olivier proves that he has the ability to play the kind AND the murderous sides of The Doctor.
Russell Tovey:
He’s already successfully worked with Steven Moffat before on Sherlock as Henry Knight and he’s already got a positive relationship with English audiences as a result of his time on Being Human. Plus, wouldn’t it just be fantastic if he felt his ears and freaked out about them being bigger than his Ninth regeneration? Unfortunately he’s already appeared on Doctor Who as Alonso, but they worked around a similar issue for Freema Agyeman so I wouldn’t completely rule him out (he was approached for the role of the Eleventh Doctor so that tells me they’re willing to work around it).
Freak Geek’s Picks
Tom Hiddleston:
We’ve held a deep desire to behold Tom Hiddleston as a whole new kind of interdimensional alien being since the day that one fanart of him as the Doctor made its way across our dash during its rounds on the forever-reblog circuit. There’s good reason he is the fan favorite pick to take over for Matt Smith. We are fully confident that, should the tiniest percentage of a chance of his being able to take the role of the Doctor occurs, he’d make a marvelous one. However, seeing as he is far too busy being a pterodactyl villain who does what he wants, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be available to do timey wimey things.
Benedict Cumberbatch:
If there is one thing we want more than a Time Lord Tom, it’s a Time Lord Benny bby. He’s already proven his ability to bring virtually any character to life, no matter what he is doing or what he is wearing. However, there is a fly in the ointment – if there is any actor possibly more busy than Tom Hiddleston, it’s Benedict Cumberbatch. Between Star Trek, his role as Sherlock Holmes on another smash hit of a BBC drama, and other things we’d have to describe for countless hours before giving them justice, he’s very much booked up. Not to mention he’s previously turned down roles on Doctor Who… I can dream.
Misha Collins:
It’s highly likely that by this time, someone on Tumblr has already photoshopped images of Misha Collins as the Doctor, trench coat and all. In fact, this wouldn’t be the first time the Misha fandom has demanded that their lord and savior fill the role. While we do think that Misha Collins would make a fascinating Doctor, it’s highly unlikely for a number of reasons. One, he is an actor who is based in America. Two, he is going to be a permanent fixture in season 9 of Supernatural, which films in Vancouver (which is not in the UK). Three, he’s American, and an American Doctor would be about as likely as a British Captain America at this point. Again, I can dream.
Critique Geek’s Picks
Andrew Scott:
Sherlock proved that Andrew Scott has the serious acting chops required to pull off a character as iconic as the Doctor. While it would be difficult to separate him from his role of Moriarty, something that he openly admits Whovians might struggle with, he’s too great of a pick to let something so simple hold him back. He can do serious, he can do camp, he can do crazy murderous rage. Really, is there anything he can’t pull off? His stint as Moriarty was far too short for my liking, so I’m eager to see Andrew Scott take on an iconic leading role like the Doctor. Moffat, give us more Andrew. Please.
Anna Chancellor:
Anna is one of those actresses who, if you were to mention her name at a party, most American audiences wouldn’t recognize it. But then you start listing off some of the highlights on her resume–Henrietta “Duckface” in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Caroline Bingley in the Pride & Prejudice miniseries, Questular Rontok in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Lix Storm in The Hour–and more likely than not your more cultured friends will have a holy-crap-she’s-awesome moment. Listen, this here is a woman who has played roles like Irene Adler in the Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars TV film and (the lesser known but personal favorite of mine) Estelle Slippery in Fortysomething. Her acting ability encompasses both drama and comedy, showing the diversity needed to play such a complicated character. Plus, she’s been rocking some gingery locks lately. Plot twist: the Doctor is finally a ginger, but he’s also a woman. Excellent.
George Harris:
You probably best know Mr. Harris as one Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Harry Potter films’ resident badass Auror with a smooth voice and commanding presence. He’s been in films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Black Hawk Down, Layer Cake, and The Interpreter. George Harris is also a veteran of the stage–you may have recognized him as the elder M. Frankenstein in the widely broadcast production staring Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller. He was most recently part of the cast of the BBC radio broadcast of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere. Plus he sings. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m pulling for a completely musical episode of Doctor Who, and I think George Harris is the man to make that happen.
Michael Sheen:
I have to admit, coming up with my final pick proved to be difficult. Several people came to mind: Hugh Laurie, Idris Elba, Tilda Swinton, Dame Helen Mirren (*bows* We are not worthy!), or rumored favorite, John Hurt (is he a past incarnation or a future one?). Then, in a moment of clarity or perhaps sheer insanity, it came to me. Michael Sheen. Michael is one of those actors who can pull off virtually any role. Seriously, the man survived Twilight without it ruining his career–he’s virtually indestructible at this point. He’s been in the likes of Midnight in Paris, Underworld, and Tron: Legacy plus a whole slew of other things. While he’s already been in Doctor Who, the good news is only his voice was featured, thus eliminating any need for awkward explanations. Mr. Sheen would be a solid choice for the next doctor.
Intern-Minion Petite Geek’s Pick
Natalie Dormer:
I first ran across Miss Dormer on The Tudors, where she brought me to tears with her wonderful portrayal of Anne Boleyn. Behind the scenes, Natalie had to fight a bit of a battle for Anne’s integrity, begging that the character be as deep and complex as she was in real life. I am on the Pro-Female Doctor Team; I would really like a female Doctor to be a strong, yet feminine, character, and I really think Natalie could pull it off. Plus she’s totes gorgeous. Unfortunately, I know this dream will never come true, as Dormer is quite busy with her portrayal of the lovely Margaery Tyrell on HBO’s Game of Thrones.
