With the none too startling news that Matt Smith will be relinquishing his role as BBC’s title character in Doctor Who, theories abound as to who will take over the TARDIS and sonic screwdriver next.
Though failing to reach present international interest at the time, the transition from David Tennant to Matt Smith reached a fever pitch in Britain back in 2009. Since BBC America’s same-day airing of the British Sci-Fi classic began, the fandom surrounding the series has exploded. Every fan now has an opinion of who will be the next great Doctor, throwing out names like Idris Elba, Hugh Laurie and Rupert Grint.
All of these potential actors are highly unlikely to take the role, and there is general consensus that Smith will be a hard act to follow. BBC might play best to take a strategically different approach. Any failure to live up to standards could result in an easy, swift regeneration after one season.
The possibility of the first non-white Doctor has recently generated a number of criticisms. The move would be groundbreaking for the series. Elba would be perfect, but his defining role with BBC as Luther all but assures he will not be a Doctor anytime soon.
A female Doctor, casually hinted at as a possibility in previous episodes, is a striking counter to Smith’s performance. The dynamic it would create with companions and the TARDIS leaves countless storyline directions, some notably savvier than others.
Though a ginger would make a comical end to the running gag, the sentiment would dry quickly. And aside from provoking riots in the streets of England, there is little need to cast anyone outside of British bloodline.
Matt Smith as Eleven.
Smith is the youngest actor to have been chosen for the role, despite show runner Steven Moffat’s original intentions to cast a much older Doctor. It would not be surprising to see a Doctor similar to John Hurt, who was revealed as a new version of the Doctor in Season 7’s finale, just in time for the 50th Anniversary episode.
As brilliant as a permanent casting of Hurt would be, it is sadly as unlikely as Tenant returning for another season’s run.
Got a prediction? Who would you like to see as the next Doctor?
