In the world of ‘Doctor Who’, all eyes are currently on incoming show boss Chris Chibnall, with speculation over whether he will cast the first female Time Lord mounting by the minute.
The ‘Broadchurch’ writer has just taken over at the helm of the BBC show and his first task is finding a new actor to play The Doctor, to replace Peter Capaldi later this year.
And with fans questioning whether a female lead could be making her way into the Tardis, he’s now spoken out, insisting that he’ll be making the decision very carefully.
Advertisement
Chris Chibnall
IROZ GAIZKA via Getty Images
Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Press, he explains: “I haven’t got my feet under the table yet. I have been working on the play [new production ‘Worst Wedding Ever’] and I am still finishing the latest series of ‘Broadchurch’.”
“Nothing is ruled out but I don’t want the casting to be a gimmick and that’s all I can say.”
With ‘Broadchurch’ now back, Chris can make ‘Doctor Who’ his priority and if he needs any advice, former stars of the show have not been shy in revealing who they would pick for the role.
Peter Capaldi is proof that an older star can be perfect in the show's lead role, and anything that means we get more Helen in our lives can only be a good thing.
2
Janelle Monae
Matt Sayles/AP
Janelle has only just turned her hand to acting, but as anyone who has seen 'Hidden Figures' can confirm, she's certainly something special.
Might the BBC be aiming a little high if they tried to sign up the Screen Actors' Guild award winner? Yes. Does that mean they shouldn't try? Absolutely not.
3
Rebecca Root
Karwai Tang via Getty Images
We're still disappointed that Rebecca's show 'Boy Meets Girl' won't be returning, but landing this role would make up for it.
Advertisement
4
Vicky McClure
Anthony Harvey via Getty Images
Vicky has proved she's got what it takes to tackle huge roles, thanks to her parts in 'This Is England' and 'Line Of Duty', but we'd love to see her take on something with a fun side.
5
Jenna Coleman
Matt Crossick/PA Wire
Jenna served as the Doctor's loyal assistant for three years, but in the world of science fiction, anything is possible and we're sure the writing team could cleverly come up with a way to put her front and centre.
6
Samira Wiley
Dan MacMedan via Getty Images
Samira is no stranger to television, having starred as Poussey Washington in four seasons of 'Orange Is The New Black'.
Advertisement
7
Joanne Froggatt
David Livingston via Getty Images
We haven't seen enough of Joanne since 'Downton Abbey' came to an end, and the Tardis would certainly be a departure from the drab and dingy servant's quarters her character Anna was used to.
8
Susan Wokoma
Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images
2017 is being billed as Susan's breakthrough year, but her CV is already more-than-impressive, thanks to roles in shows such as 'Misfits', and films 'Burn, Burn, Burn' and 'The Inbetweeners 2'.
9
Sian Brooke
Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images
Sian made her mark on 2017's 'Sherlock', playing a master of disguise. Quite frankly, if she can morph into four different personas with such ease, the role of the Time Lord would be a walk in the park.
Advertisement
10
Antonia Thomas
Doug Peters/Doug Peters
Antonia is another star who found fame on E4, playing the feisty Alisha in 'Misfits' - which also gave her a taste for the perils of time travel.
11
Olivia Colman
Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick
Multi-award winning actress Olivia also made the bookies' shortlist, with odds of 20/1.
12
Hayley Atwell
Eric Catarina via Getty Images
Hayley was vocal about the fact she wanted the role back in August 2015. Her comments came at an interesting time, as 'Doctor Who' writer AL Kennedy had just claimed that the Doctor should never be a woman.
Advertisement
13
Lara Pulver
Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive
When Capaldi announced his decision to step down from the role, bookies soon named Lara the female favourite for the role, offering odds of 10/1.
