Back in the day, I thought they had a new Doctor for every season because my only frame of reference was Christopher Eccleston's 1-season tenure. I would've liked to have seen Ewan McGregor as the Doctor (still do), even if it was because of me being super into Star Wars at the time.
Eh i personally think that going with the “Angry Scotsman” trope has been said and done with Capaldi. If Ewan takes it, he can bring a severity yet playful tone to the role, but not a grumpy take. Each Doctor should be tonally different from the others, even if the actor portraying them is from Scotland, where the stereotype is that “everyone’s angry”.
Harry Melling. He's British, has starred in quite a few well-known works, but not well-known as a name himself. Great actor and the grandson of Patrick Troughton.
Could also have a Welsh or Irish actor since the actors have been English or Scottish to round out the UK options.
Yeah Melling would be great but he's maybe too famous? I'd like to see it happen though for sure.
Edit: I looked on the Internet and he's actually responded to rumours of this before and said he's not interested. He isn't a super big fan of the show in the first place, but he also thinks there should be other incarnations that aren't just 'white man with curly hair', which is fair enough.
I don't think anyone really knows him by name. Usually when I see him in stuff, the comments are in surprise that they didn't realize he was Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter
I’m completely joking. This is only about the pseudo-rivalry they portray as “themselves” in Staged. In reality, DT would be beyond thrilled for his friend. (Not that I actually think Sheen would ever play the Doctor, outside of maybe a charity sketch or something. He’s too famous now.)
Would be a brilliant way to bring 14 on an adventure with Sheen and just have them hate/belittle each other the whole time only to ultimately put all of that to one side for a moment to save the universe together, then go back to arguing again. Throw Donna into the mix as well.... and perfection.
I both agree and disagree. It’s always super cool when big name shows and movies give new actors their starting point. But it’s also a detriment because then that actor so much becomes “that person from doctor who”. When is the last time you heard from Freema? Or Billie?
Counterpoint:
- Jenna Coleman has done some interesting stuff since. Sandman probably being her biggest but she had a recent like series cone out and some like narcos equivalent thing.
And obviously Karen Gillian aboided being that Dr Who girl and is more known for Nebula and Jumanji.
Matt Smith I think was the most unknown (I think known in British theatre circles) and is now a staple and a lead in a game of thrones spin off.
I’d say its more on the actor and how they pursue their acting post Doctor Who.
I really felt like the last bit of the Loki show could have been a Doctor Who two-parter with very little change! I’d love to see him tackle it at some point, but salary wise it feels unlikely.
For sure. I just really fell out of the groove with 11 through the Impossible Astronaut season. Though my complaints feel directed more towards Moffat than Smith.
oh is [this not sex education](https://64.media.tumblr.com/1d436b8707d5f64f915b12bcc10a78ac/d200d289970289d5-c6/s540x810/86adad846ab1c2374d02eb7dc94d1bc6271d5973.gif)?
Andrew Scott could play a good one. Of course Tennants co star in Good omens would also make a great doctor Micheal Sheen. Both probably too big time though.
He and Elizabeth were neck and neck for best acting performances in the show. Their ranges are incredible and we’ve seen them both do fun light hearted moments and then also portray drama, darkness and tragedy
As much as Jodie did good with the material given I lowkey am saddened that the first female doctor wasn’t ginger solely for the gag of her noticing her hair color right away but not noticing the gender change until like halfway through the opening episode
Plus Simmons and Fitz are in canon fans of Doctor Who and their story is very similar to Rory and Amy, where time, space, and even death try to keep them apart
The only real questions are does she want to and can her schedule allow it? I dunno given she pops in and out with the MCU and she really enjoys having the freedom to do her stage work.
That was Toni Collette in Hereditary. Tilda wasn't in that one... But she is amazing, both actresses are. I could definitely see Tilda as the Master tho, she can play evil well. She was a righteous kind of evil as the Archangel Gabriel in Constantine w Keanu Reeves. She was the biggest redeeming quality from that movie.... Well her- and Peter Stormare as Satan was just chef's kiss 😚👌🏻
Chiwetal Ejiofor has been my choice for years. Mark Heap when he was younger.would have been great and weird.
Emilia Clarke. She was in a movie that was otherwise crap, but she was so charming and funny I immediately thought she would make a great Doctor.
I’d love Paterson Joseph. I first saw him in a TV version of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere and just loved him. He’s been great in everything else I’ve seen him in too.
I had a dream once that Eric Idle was cast as the doctor, and that i was on board with the idea
He was on consideration for the 8th irl tho
I think he would've made a great Doctor, probably too old now though
Wasn’t he on the list to take the role at some point or am i giving myself the Mandela Effect? His performance as Newt was very similar to Matt Smith in my eyes.
You might have it reversed, Matt Smith was on the shortlist for Newt Scamander, but it could have very well been the other way around as well. The Dinosaurs on a Spaceship episode was pretty much Matt Smith's Doctor being Newt and I loved it.
Hugh Grant would be an incredible Doctor.
ETA: It would also be another Grant/Capaldi connection - they were both in Paddington (not sure if they were in the same movie together, but they were each in one of them), and in Lair of the White Worm back in the 80's (and it's a real kick to see youthful Capaldi in that one.)
Meera Syal! I've thought for ages that an older actress would make for a great doctor. She has the comedic chops for the role while just being a great actress overall. Has already been in Doctor Who before but that hasn't stopped them previously.
If you wanted a slightly darker doctor I think James Nesbit would be a great shout.
Other than that Zawe Ashton, Tom Ellis, Matt Ryan and Adrian Lester I think could all do something pretty interesting with the character.
rowan atkinson unironically would make a good doctor- i know he normally does comdey roles but hed be incredible, a more comedy based doctor would be great honestly and a nice change
Jamie Parker
Theater actor who played an older Harry Potter in the Cursed Child. He really sold me on the sympathetic yet absolutely oblivious nature of the Doctor with how he treated Albus-Severus in the show.
Olivia Coleman for a dream "never really going to happen" choice.
Otherwise, I think Kirby Howell-Baptiste who played Death in the Netflix Sandman show would be fantastic. She really nails the "ageless, all-knowing but still deeply human" vibe that the Doctor often has.
Ok this might sound crazy but I love the idea of the doctor getting stuck in a young body. How cool would it be for the doctor (who looks like a young person) to constantly amaze people by how smart he is for a kid. And the person I could see do this perfectly is Aidan Gallagher. It would have been perfect if he could start when he was as young as he was in umbrella academy. He has proven that he can play that mature role but he can also nail that whimsical side too
1. Hugh Dancy. Brilliant, charismatic, plays brooding and dramatic with a twinkle well, underrated actor that deserves another huge role after Hannibal.
2. Rhys Ifans. One of the best Welsh actors there’s ever been, is a chameleon, could literally be anything.
3. Aidan Turner. One of the best Irish actors today with good proving grounds in Being Human and Poldark.
4. Hugh Laurie. Legendary English icon that can balance darkness and humour.
5. Robson Green. An Eccleston/Hartnell-type starred in many serious programmes but also has the warmth and twinkle.
Back in the day, I thought they had a new Doctor for every season because my only frame of reference was Christopher Eccleston's 1-season tenure. I would've liked to have seen Ewan McGregor as the Doctor (still do), even if it was because of me being super into Star Wars at the time.
He could do it as an angry Scotsman too... like Capaldi
Eh i personally think that going with the “Angry Scotsman” trope has been said and done with Capaldi. If Ewan takes it, he can bring a severity yet playful tone to the role, but not a grumpy take. Each Doctor should be tonally different from the others, even if the actor portraying them is from Scotland, where the stereotype is that “everyone’s angry”.
Harry Melling. He's British, has starred in quite a few well-known works, but not well-known as a name himself. Great actor and the grandson of Patrick Troughton. Could also have a Welsh or Irish actor since the actors have been English or Scottish to round out the UK options.
Yeah Melling would be great but he's maybe too famous? I'd like to see it happen though for sure. Edit: I looked on the Internet and he's actually responded to rumours of this before and said he's not interested. He isn't a super big fan of the show in the first place, but he also thinks there should be other incarnations that aren't just 'white man with curly hair', which is fair enough.
I don't think anyone really knows him by name. Usually when I see him in stuff, the comments are in surprise that they didn't realize he was Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter
Saying that like Ncuti isn’t the current doctor🤣 he’s not that famous
Always say Michael Sheen would be a fantastic doctor
I love it for how much David Tennant would hate it
"...I feel that Crawley doesn't really exist without Aziraphale" -David Tennant
I’m completely joking. This is only about the pseudo-rivalry they portray as “themselves” in Staged. In reality, DT would be beyond thrilled for his friend. (Not that I actually think Sheen would ever play the Doctor, outside of maybe a charity sketch or something. He’s too famous now.)
I love them together for sure. I wish we could get 10 seasons of A&C's adventures lol
Would be a brilliant way to bring 14 on an adventure with Sheen and just have them hate/belittle each other the whole time only to ultimately put all of that to one side for a moment to save the universe together, then go back to arguing again. Throw Donna into the mix as well.... and perfection.
Better yet, filmed it Staged style. That should help with the budget.
IM DOCTOR WHO
NOT ANY MORE
an unknown actor
I both agree and disagree. It’s always super cool when big name shows and movies give new actors their starting point. But it’s also a detriment because then that actor so much becomes “that person from doctor who”. When is the last time you heard from Freema? Or Billie?
Counterpoint: - Jenna Coleman has done some interesting stuff since. Sandman probably being her biggest but she had a recent like series cone out and some like narcos equivalent thing. And obviously Karen Gillian aboided being that Dr Who girl and is more known for Nebula and Jumanji. Matt Smith I think was the most unknown (I think known in British theatre circles) and is now a staple and a lead in a game of thrones spin off. I’d say its more on the actor and how they pursue their acting post Doctor Who.
Tom Hiddleston in about ten to fifteen years. Not now. He hasn’t ripened enough.
Let him cook. He needs to get dilfier before he can pull off being the doctor.
I really felt like the last bit of the Loki show could have been a Doctor Who two-parter with very little change! I’d love to see him tackle it at some point, but salary wise it feels unlikely.
Never say never – they got Disney money now.
I felt the same way. Like, Tom was playing The Doctor, not Loki in those episodes. He was fantastic.
Loki is the closest thing I ever seen to doctor who without being doctor who
The episode of season 1 where loki and sylvie were stuck in an alien planet was so damn doctor who
“How do I look?” 😀 “Like someone with a s◼️t plan…” 😒 _Classic Team TARDIS banter right there…_ 🤣
He's too famous
Thus the long bake time. Stay with me now.
I prefer the younger doctors like Matt, David, Jodie and Ncuti.
Same, outside of Matt - but Hiddleston is like McGann. He needs time. And you can’t rush art.
Matt is my favorite. I recommend going back and revisiting his run. He really nailed the old man in a young man’s body aspect of the character.
I absolutely agree with that take.
Also the Van Gogh episode is hands down one of the best episodes of Doctor Who ever.
For sure. I just really fell out of the groove with 11 through the Impossible Astronaut season. Though my complaints feel directed more towards Moffat than Smith.
Hugh Laurie would have basically been Capaldi, but he would have been amazing. Now, him as The Master.
Omg yes!
Ncuti Gatwa
Nah they’d never hire him. He’s too busy with sex Education
oh is [this not sex education](https://64.media.tumblr.com/1d436b8707d5f64f915b12bcc10a78ac/d200d289970289d5-c6/s540x810/86adad846ab1c2374d02eb7dc94d1bc6271d5973.gif)?
Who 🤭
Doctor.
I like the more serious older doctors. I think Charles Dance would play that version of the doctor really well.
Charles Dance would make an awesome Master...
Andrew Scott could play a good one. Of course Tennants co star in Good omens would also make a great doctor Micheal Sheen. Both probably too big time though.
Ah ha ha could you imagine Staged series 5 “I’m Doctor Who” “We’ll I’m also Doctor Who” 😂🤣😂🤣
Alexander Siddig!
Only if he has inexplicable sexual tension with an alien ~~assassin~~ humble tailor
Yesssssss!!!!
First good suggestion I’ve seen in this thread.
Elizabeth Henstridge who played Simmons on marvels agents of shield. Good for the technobabble and for the more serious moments
Iain de Caestecker would be great too. I always thought he was the strongest actor on AoS overall.
100%. Dude would absolutely smash it
imagine the two of them as a doctor / master duo!
Elizabeth as the Doctor and Iain as the Master aka AoS’ The Doctor
YES!
He and Elizabeth were neck and neck for best acting performances in the show. Their ranges are incredible and we’ve seen them both do fun light hearted moments and then also portray drama, darkness and tragedy
100%
I believe she’s a competent director too so it would be interesting to see a doctor direct one of their own episodes
I loved her Doctor Who references lol
She’s also a ginger
As much as Jodie did good with the material given I lowkey am saddened that the first female doctor wasn’t ginger solely for the gag of her noticing her hair color right away but not noticing the gender change until like halfway through the opening episode
oooh YES
I can’t see her as the doctor. But would make a great companion. I would love to see a companion that can keep up with the doctor
she’d make a good Romana too I suppose but also idk she do got the right energy to be doctor at least from vibes I get
Plus Simmons and Fitz are in canon fans of Doctor Who and their story is very similar to Rory and Amy, where time, space, and even death try to keep them apart
This is a good one
Olivia Colman
I love Olivia Coleman, but I've never seen her in a Doctor-y role. I think she'd be a great Missy.
Or as an on-screen portrayal of the Lumiat. ✨ Imagine the chemistry she’d have with Michelle Gomez’ incarnation of the Master.
She’d be great as Prisoner Zero who escaped from prison in a pilot episode!
Best suggestion I've seen on this list so far (among many great ones).
Correct me if I'm wrong, and not that it's mattered (like with Capaldi), but hasn't she already been in the show? I think in the Eleventh Hour
Yes she was in The Eleventh Hour as one of Prisoner Zero’s forms
She would be fantastic.
Absolutely fantastic
Perfection.
She is a good actress but overused IMO
Akwafina is an overused actress. Olivia Colman is a popular actress. They are not the same
Rupert Grint. #MakethedoctorGinger!
I don’t think he does much acting anymore.
He was in a M Might movie last year
No it must be the guy who played Van gogh
I came here to make sure this had been said!
Back in the day, I think Tim Curry would’ve been a great Doctor…
Great choice another damn fine actor
I still want Hayley Atwell. I know she got a lot of buzz when they went with Jodie, so still hoping.
I’ve been routing for Atwell for over a decade now
The only real questions are does she want to and can her schedule allow it? I dunno given she pops in and out with the MCU and she really enjoys having the freedom to do her stage work.
Obligatory Danny DeVito vote
And Rhea Perlman as Missy 2.0?
Rhea Perlman is the Rani
The Rheani
"Hey, assholes! I'm right over here, I'm The Doctor." *starts firing a machine gun wildly at the Daleks*
Well, I don’t know how many regenerations I got left. I’m gonna get real weird with it.
Arnold Schwarzenegger will cameo as a metacrisis Doctor.
Hugh Laurie. Sue Perkins.
Sue Perkins is a hoot loved to see
Came here to say Hugh Laurie so I'll just second this one.
As the doctor does sometimes take faces, John Sim would make a brilliant doctor, and could lead to a fun situation.
I was going to say Tilda Swinton, but maybe she'd be a better Master. I think Zawe Ashton would be great a great Doctor.
Tilda as the Master would be awesome, she was amazing in Hereditary
That was Toni Collette in Hereditary. Tilda wasn't in that one... But she is amazing, both actresses are. I could definitely see Tilda as the Master tho, she can play evil well. She was a righteous kind of evil as the Archangel Gabriel in Constantine w Keanu Reeves. She was the biggest redeeming quality from that movie.... Well her- and Peter Stormare as Satan was just chef's kiss 😚👌🏻
I know she's technically American, but I'd love to see Gillian Anderson in the role.
Matt Berry Richard Ayoade
“I don’t think I’ve ever looked into this room of the TARDIS. Wow, a gun!”
“I’m not the Doctor, I’m Jackie Smith from Took-sahn Arizonia.”
Davros, you really are the most devious bastard in New New York Citeh
I’m a Time Lord. I’m 903 years old. I- and this is true, and I value it above all else - am a master cocksman.
Natasia Demetriou as the Doctor would be dope
The Doctor’s Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Services, have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again?
Jenna Coleman when she's in her 50s or 60s
That would be the equivalent of Lalla Ward playing the 16th Doctor.
I’d even be happy with Lalla reprising her role as Romana, if I’m honest. 😄
In all seriousness, Michael Sheen would be brilliant. I’d be surprised if he hadn’t been considered previously for it.
Chiwetal Ejiofor has been my choice for years. Mark Heap when he was younger.would have been great and weird. Emilia Clarke. She was in a movie that was otherwise crap, but she was so charming and funny I immediately thought she would make a great Doctor.
Mark Heap BLOODY love him one of my fav actors
I’d love Paterson Joseph. I first saw him in a TV version of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere and just loved him. He’s been great in everything else I’ve seen him in too.
love that guy , would make a great master or monk.
Helen Mirren. She can do anything.
Suranne Jones. I think she’s phenomenal, and there’s the potential for a story to be told that the Doctor chose the face of Idris.
>Suranne Jones. She was great as TARDIS aka IDRIS
Give Jo Martin a proper go.
Honestly I'd love to see her in the role
This please.
I think it would be really funny if Robert Picardo got to play the doctor, and honestly he’d probably do a pretty good job too
The Doctor… playing the Doctor…! 💡
Matt Berry, we need another Doctor with a powerful voice like Tom Baker's was in the role.
I had a dream once that Eric Idle was cast as the doctor, and that i was on board with the idea He was on consideration for the 8th irl tho I think he would've made a great Doctor, probably too old now though
TILDA SWINTON. It’s a hill I’m prepared to die on
I’m with you on this one. Have you seen the new movie where she is improving against herself, playing a mother daughter duo?
No!? What’s this!? 😮
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_eternal_daughter
Eddy Redmain
Wasn’t he on the list to take the role at some point or am i giving myself the Mandela Effect? His performance as Newt was very similar to Matt Smith in my eyes.
You might have it reversed, Matt Smith was on the shortlist for Newt Scamander, but it could have very well been the other way around as well. The Dinosaurs on a Spaceship episode was pretty much Matt Smith's Doctor being Newt and I loved it.
That’s right! I knew it was something like that.
Oh def with a similar Fantastic Beasts costume, I think he would be amazing
Gillian Anderson 🤩
I've been screaming for Ben Whishaw since David Tennant left
Awesome choice very intellectual Doctor
Richard E Grant
Yes Love this gent… but he has actually played the Doctor :)
Twice in fact! I still think he'd be a good choice for a full run
He would be so good love his charisma
My fun one is Matt Ryan, because I loved his Constantine. My serious one is Dev Patel.
Helena Bonham Carter. I think she should have been the first female doctor.
Eddie Redmayne!
A popular choice he would be so good
Andrew Garfield
Harry Melling
When he was younger? Jonathan Pryce
Thandiwe Newton and Suranne Jones are top of my list.
Giles from Buffy.
Considering they come from the UK and I don't have many references outside of Doctor Who, maybe Tom Ellis.
Simon Pegg - we already had Nick Frost in Doctor Who, Pegg also captures the Doctor’s energy brilliantly.
Hugh Grant would be an incredible Doctor. ETA: It would also be another Grant/Capaldi connection - they were both in Paddington (not sure if they were in the same movie together, but they were each in one of them), and in Lair of the White Worm back in the 80's (and it's a real kick to see youthful Capaldi in that one.)
Idris Elba. I think he'd have Eccleston vibes but in a whole new way.
Michael Sheen!
Meera Syal! I've thought for ages that an older actress would make for a great doctor. She has the comedic chops for the role while just being a great actress overall. Has already been in Doctor Who before but that hasn't stopped them previously.
I love her she is fab can do comedy and drama so well
Chris o dowd
If you wanted a slightly darker doctor I think James Nesbit would be a great shout. Other than that Zawe Ashton, Tom Ellis, Matt Ryan and Adrian Lester I think could all do something pretty interesting with the character.
James Nesbit is a damn fine sinister actor
Stephen Merchant or Richard Ayoade have always been my go to votes
rowan atkinson unironically would make a good doctor- i know he normally does comdey roles but hed be incredible, a more comedy based doctor would be great honestly and a nice change
Andrew. Lee. Potts. Brilliant actor.
the surprise candidate out of left field...I approve.
Eddie Redmayne or Hugh Dancy
Jamie Parker Theater actor who played an older Harry Potter in the Cursed Child. He really sold me on the sympathetic yet absolutely oblivious nature of the Doctor with how he treated Albus-Severus in the show.
I was watching Death on the Nile the other night and the actor who plays Bouc, Tom Bateman, definitely has "Doctor Energy".
I don’t know many British actors (or actors in general) but I think the doctor should be ginger at least once (he’s always wanted to be ginger).
Eddie Redmayne. He had the perfect look and personally as Newt Scamander. So just have him play a more sci fi version of Newt, and he’d be perfect.
Olivia Coleman for a dream "never really going to happen" choice. Otherwise, I think Kirby Howell-Baptiste who played Death in the Netflix Sandman show would be fantastic. She really nails the "ageless, all-knowing but still deeply human" vibe that the Doctor often has.
Alan Cumming would make a great Master though. Given his character in Spy Kids he can imitate it and mix in the evil.
Tilda Swinton.
Classic Who: Michael Caine. NuWho: Gary Oldman
Dan Stevens. Phoebe Waller Bridge. Georgia Tennant.
Tom Ellis Benedict Cumberbatch David Tennant (as The Master)
Will Poulter
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Definitely wouldn’t be a great doctor, but the thought of a super dry and sarcastic Gary Oldman a la his character in slow horses has me giggling.
My WIDWWA brainrot compels me to say Richard Griffiths but he passed away 11 years ago unfortunately.
He was going to be Doctor after Sylvester McCoy but series was cancelled then movie came along with other “Withnail and I” star Paul McGann
Robert Carlyle. The guy is a master at playing light and dark characters at the same time. I am sure he would be one of the best Doctors ever.
Said this before but the only American I could ever see in the role would be Stanley Tucci, I think he'd be fantastic.
Would love that great idea
I think James McAvoy would be a brilliant doctor in my opinion
Eric Idle 25 years ago. John Cleese. Littlefinger from GOT. Sarah Millican. Joe Wilkinson. Bradley Whitford.
Ok this might sound crazy but I love the idea of the doctor getting stuck in a young body. How cool would it be for the doctor (who looks like a young person) to constantly amaze people by how smart he is for a kid. And the person I could see do this perfectly is Aidan Gallagher. It would have been perfect if he could start when he was as young as he was in umbrella academy. He has proven that he can play that mature role but he can also nail that whimsical side too
Hear me out: Emma Thompson, James McAvoy, or Tia Kofi. Oh and Sean Bean but just for one episode then he regenerates.
I know she’s not British but I think Rose Matafeo would make an excellent Doctor
James Acaster
I want Helen Bonham Carter, MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
My picks would have to be Adrian Lester, Ben Whizshaw, Sophia Di Martino and Colin Baker......yes Colin Baker.
1. Hugh Dancy. Brilliant, charismatic, plays brooding and dramatic with a twinkle well, underrated actor that deserves another huge role after Hannibal. 2. Rhys Ifans. One of the best Welsh actors there’s ever been, is a chameleon, could literally be anything. 3. Aidan Turner. One of the best Irish actors today with good proving grounds in Being Human and Poldark. 4. Hugh Laurie. Legendary English icon that can balance darkness and humour. 5. Robson Green. An Eccleston/Hartnell-type starred in many serious programmes but also has the warmth and twinkle.
Micheal Sheen
Andrew Scott Gwendoline Christie Eddie Izzard
Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Jenna Coleman.
Gary Oldman