Cover photo by Ivy Martin
Ever since the BBC announced the departure of Matt Smith after the Christmas special this year, rumors and speculations have flying around the Internet faster than my money at a comic convention. Names like Ben Wishaw (Skyfall, The Tempest), Ben Daniels (Harry Potter, Law & Order: UK), Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), and even Russell Brand and David Beckham have been flung around with little to no substance behind them, but the rumor mill keeps on spinning. Until the BBC officially announces a replacement, I’ve got a few names to add to that list of possible.
Idris Elba
Most Americans will probably remember this guy as Charles Miner in The Office or as Janek in Prometheus, but he is a prolific and brilliant actor who has been active since the early 90s. His performance as John Luther in Luther is what really solidified him as my choice for the next Doctor. He can project immense emotion without being over the top, and his rage and grief are palpable (you’ll have to watch the show to understand why). But then he can flip it around and be completely calm and stoic as we’ve seen in his role as Heimdall in Thor. He’s not without a sense of humor, though. He’s very charming and funny in his interviews and his laugh is infectious. Yeah, he’s my top pick to step into the TARDIS.
Tilda Swinton
I think it’s about time for a woman Doctor, don’t you? Tilda graced American movie screens in movies like Constantine as the archangel Gabriel and Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as the White Witch and has captivated many viewers with her androgynous appearance and angelic face. She’s proven she can capture the rage and despair that the Doctor keeps tightly under lock and key, but I’d like to see her compound those heavy emotions with the lightheartedness and joy that she expresses in her interviews and candid appearances (much like Elba). Plus, with subtle makeup tricks she could look even more alien than she already does (and I say that with complete and utter love and respect), thereby adding a whole new dimension to the Time Lord we’ve gotten used to seeing.
And speaking of a female Doctor…
Helena Bonham Carter
Come on, you knew she was going to be mentioned at some point. I doubt she would ever consider doing a weekly show since that would force her to cut down on her feature projects, but I can still dream. What would make Carter so perfect as the Doctor is her controlled madness; looking through her resume you’ll see she’s been a manipulative witch (Merlin), a bitter queen (Alice in Wonderland), a murderous psychopath (Harry Potter), a murderous sociopath with a penchant for baking (Sweeney Todd), a corpse with a heart of gold (Corpse Bride), a loving mother (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), a devoted and snarky wife (The King’s Speech), and a slew of other things more varied than the last. The Doctor has already described himself as a “mad man with a box”, so Carter would fit right in.
Who would you like to see fill the shoes of the last of the Time Lords?
Colin Morgan of Merlin fame.
For me, it all depends on the direction they want to go with the Doctor.
Idris Elba and other actors like him have been named for the short list. This shows me that they are looking to go from the “quarky professor” and to a more slick and stylish Doctor, like they did with Barrowman and Eccleston.
For me, the “stylish” Doctor was always a minus. I believe the fans identified with the zany prof like Smith and Tennant. I will be saddened by the exit of the bowtie.
I don’t envy the execs from BBC on this one!
Well, Colin was already a guest in the episode “Midnight”, so I don’t think he’ll be getting a call from the BBC. But he would have been a good pick.
I think Tyler should be the next doctor…all he has to do is talk to Paul and make it happen
i’m still wondering if it will be John Hurt (from the last episode) and potentially see some bleaker, more morally ambiguous storylines.
Sean Pertwee, son of Jon Pertwee, the third Doctor.