WHO IS GOING TO BE NEXT?
Marion McMullen takes a look at possible contenders who might play the new Time Lord
1 JODIE WHITTAKER is reportedly planning to quit Doctor Who and leave the show at the end of the next series. It is said the 38-year-old intends to follow in the footsteps of predecessors including Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi by stepping down after three series at the helm of the Tardis. Bookies are already taking bets on a possible successor to become the 14th Doctor.
2 MY FAMILY and Death in Paradise star Kris Marshall has been linked with the role of f the Doctor for a number of years and is favourite to replace Jodie, according to bookmaker Coral. The 47-year-old was also linked with the job in 2017 after Peter Capaldi left the BBC series.
3 FLEABAG creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge has also been named among the frontrunners for the part. She was previously linked with the role prior to Jodie e being announced as the first female Doctor but she dismissed the speculation at the time. However, 35-yearold Phoebe reportedly said at the time it would be “cool” to play the part.
4 FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER star Tom Rosenthal, 32, is another actor who has been linked with the lead role in the BBC programme.
He is 14/1 to land the part, according to o Coral and said in 2017: “I’d be a fool to say I wasn’t interested in playing the Doctor but I honestly haven’t heard anything at all.”
5 THE IT CROWD star Richard Ayoade, right, has also been cited as a contender. The actor, television presenter, filmmaker and comedian is 6/1 to land the part. The 43-year-old is known for appearing in programmes including The Crystal Maze, Travel Man and Gadget Man. He also directed the films The Double and Submarine.
6 COULD Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page regenerate into the next Doctor? She has starred in the show before when she played Queen Elizabeth I and her Zygon duplicate in the 50th anniversary special The Day Of The Doctor.
7 HOMELAND actor David Harewood, 55, is another er well-known face who could also be in the frame to be the new owner of the Tardis. Speculation in n the media has s touted the Birminghamborn star, above, as a potential successor to Jodie Whittaker.
8 WRITER and actress Michaela Coel is another favourite with odds placed at 5/1. The London-born star is perhaps best known for the hit BBC series I May Destroy You, which she created, co-directed and starred in. The 33-year-old also created the Baftawinning comedy Chewing Gum for E4, which was based on her play Chewing Gum Dreams, and she starred in the BBC and Netflix thriller Black Earth Rising.
9 GHOSTS and Call the Midwife star Charlotte Ritchie, pictured below, has been rumoured as a possible replacement to be the second female Doctor and appeared as Lin in the 2019 New Year’s Day episode Resolution.
10 HAPPY VALLEY and Grantchester star James Norton is also so hot in the running, according to the bookies. The 35-year-old starred in the e Doctor Who episode Cold War in 2013 and has since expressed his desire to star in the franchise once again.