As you’ve probably already heard, David Tennant will be stepping out of the Tardis for the last time in 2009, after four Doctor Who specials. Of course rumors are flying from one end of the internet to the other (with discussion coming from multiple continents), and bookies are tallying odds.
At Tor.com, we’re also wondering who will be next to wield the sonic screwdriver. Here’s a round-up of the recent speculation.
Den of Geek has some theories based on patterns in the show’s very long-running history. The next Doctor Who could be older and less wacky, given that somber doctors seem to alternate with manic ones. There’s a long list of possibilities in the post. The front-runners: David Morrissey, Paterson Joseph (who played Roderick in “Bad Wolf” and “Parting of the Ways”), James Nesbitt, and Robert Carlyle. Catherine Tate, who played the most recent companion, Donna Noble, is listed at odds of 25 to 1, and Billie Piper, who portrayed the Doctor’s companion Rose Tyler for the first two seasons, is at 50 to 1. Anthony Head is another interesting (if unlikely) suggestion.
Let’s get back to Billie Piper for a moment. When asked about Piper taking over the role, David Tennant himself told the BBC, “Why not?” The actor says a female Doctor is definitely a possibility: “It’s one of those parts that any actor could bring something valid to, because it can be anything and it’s a sort of blank canvas every time.”
Which isn’t conclusive, but will definitely bump up Piper’s odds, according to the article (which is dated November 3). The BBC also mentions Morrissey, Joseph, and Nesbitt, as well as an interesting bit of Who history: Joanna Lumley almost got the role back in 1981, when Peter Davison took over instead.
According to another BBC article (also from November 3), James Nesbitt is the favorite of bookmakers, while Nesbitt himself has said that he’s not interested in the role. Nesbitt’s pick? Paterson Joseph.
Now Magazine (as of November 7) says Colin Salmon may be tapped for the role. Salmon played Dr. Moon in the season 4 episodes “The Silence in the Library” and “Forest of the Dead.”
In a recent interview, David Morrisey told What’s on Stage, “As for any talk of me taking over as the next Doctor, well, if or when they do choose someone, they would have to [be] totally different to David, which I am!”
Entertainment Weekly’s popwatch blog brings up Eddie Izzard. They favor Nesbitt or Richard Coyle because they’ve each worked with Steven Moffat (who is taking over as showrunner in 2010).
Digital spy has a list that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, David Morrissey, Paterson Joseph, James Nesbitt, Sean Pertwee, and Dexter Fletcher.
Tor.com’s readers have already given some theories on the next Doctor in the comments of Torie Atkinson’s original post about David Tennant stepping down.
Go ahead and tell us more of your theories about Eleven, who you think is likely, or your dream casting choices (even if they’re long odds).
