In the series' long and varied history, there have been 13 Doctors to date. Yes, season 12 mooted the possibility of other Doctors, but in reference to those faces that have already been on screen, William Hartnell was the first, making the role his own in 1963. And when the concept of regeneration was introduced during the end of his tenure as the Time Lord, many others followed. Most recently, Jodie Whittaker took on the role of the 13th Doctor.
As great as the actors have been in their roles as Doctor Who, there are those who could have been the Doctor during the series' run. There are also those actors who would be perfect in the part, but haven't yet been asked to take the lead in the show. Here are five actors who could have played the part, and five who should be given the opportunity.
10 Almost Doctor Who: Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant isn't the first person you might consider for the part. As he is most famous for his leading roles in romantic comedies, it could be assumed most of his time would be spent wooing his female companions, rather than battling intergalactic monsters.
However, considered for the part he was, and he could have been the first to step into the Time Lord's shoes in the rebooted series. To his later regret, Grant turned down the role of the 9th Doctor, as he didn't think the revived show would be a success. In an interview with Syfy.com, he said: "I was offered the role of the Doctor a few years back and was highly flattered. It's only when you see it on screen that you think, 'Damn, that was good, why did I say no?'"
9 Should Be Doctor Who: Eddie Redmayne
Eddie Redmayne has more than proven his acting chops on the big screen, in such films as The Theory of Everything and the Fantastic Beasts movies. And it is his quirkiness in the latter that makes us think he would be great as the Doctor. It's not hard to imagine him in Tom Baker's flowing scarf or Matt Smith's bow tie, as he has already donned such garments on film.
Will Redmayne get to play the part of the Time Lord? We don't know. He would have the youth of Matt Smith on his side, and perhaps even the humility of Peter Davidson's Doctor. If the producers at the BBC are reading this article, maybe they'll take note of this suggestion.
8 Almost Doctor Who: Bill Nighy
Bill Nighy was another actor considered for the lead role in the revamped series, but he turned it down. This is unfortunate, as he would have been perfect in the role. Not only would he have brought a sense of gravitas to the part, but he could have exuded the grumpiness of William Hartnell's Doctor.
When asked why he turned down the role in an interview with the Daily Express, he said: "No disrespect to Doctor Who or anything, but I think it comes with too much baggage." We are assuming he means typecasting and not actual luggage, as the Tardis could accommodate anything!
7 Should Be Doctor Who: Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is famous for playing another Doctor, of course, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But as wonderful as he is in the role of Doctor Strange, many fans think he would be the perfect fit for Doctor Who.
Cumberbatch has always had an otherworldly air about him, and he comes across as slightly eccentric. These are the qualities that the Time Lord embodies, so Cumberbatch would be great in the part. The actor made his mark as Sherlock Holmes, a character not too unlike the Doctor with his cunning and smarts. Sadly, as evidenced in an article at BBC America, he has no interest in the role.
6 Almost Doctor Who: Michael Jackson
The first Men in Black film hinted Michael Jackson was an alien, and while this isn't the case (we assume), we can understand why he was once considered for the role of the Doctor. However, he wasn't up for a role in the television series. Back in the late 80s, Paramount Pictures had plans for a big-budget Doctor Who movie, and according to The Guardian, Michael Jackson could have been offered the part.
Sadly, fans never got to see Michael Jackson walk on the moon as the Doctor, although he was famous for another kind of moonwalk! A Doctor Who movie did get made, however, but for TV and not cinema, with Paul McGann in the lead.
5 Should Be Doctor Who: Ben Whishaw
A Google search will tell you why he should be the next Doctor: the fans demand it! People seem to think he would be perfect as the Time Lord, and we have to agree with them. He's already brought two British icons to life on the big screen, Q and Paddington Bear, so why not bring another?
Ben Whishaw is a tremendous actor, and he could bring the cleverness of Q to the role. And as some fans have been upset with the direction the show is going in, Whishaw could be the actor to renew their enthusiasm.
4 Almost Doctor Who: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Many Doctor Who fanboys were unimpressed at the news that a woman would be taking over the role of the Doctor. However, Jodie Whittaker has been fantastic in the part. Gender equality has been a long time coming in the series, although it could have happened much sooner.
In 2008, Russell T. Davies was reported in The Telegraph as wanting Catherine Zeta-Jones for the part of the Doctor. He thought the actress would be a wonderful successor to David Tennant. However, the show was taken over by Steven Moffat, and he chose Matt Smith for the role of the 11th Doctor. Still, fans did get to see a female Doctor, eventually.
3 Should Be Doctor Who: Tilda Swinton
When it was announced that Peter Capaldi would be stepping down from the part of the Doctor, many people suspected a female Doctor could be next. However, it wasn't Jodie Whittaker that took the lead in audience polls. Tilda Swinton was the odds on favorite, although other actresses were also nominated, according to The Independent, including Olivia Colman and Maxine Peake.
Colman and Peake would have been great, although Tilda Swinton is the more obvious choice. She has an aura of mystery about her, as has been shown in such films as Doctor Strange and Constantine. Her Doctor would certainly be like no other, as befits an actress who continually defies expectations.
2 Almost Doctor Who: Richard Griffiths
The Harry Potter actor has had a long and varied career, above and beyond his role as nasty Uncle Vernon. However, there is one part missing on his resume, and it is, of course, Doctor Who. He was twice considered for the role, but was pipped to the post both times.
When Tom Baker's time as the Doctor was coming to an end, Griffiths was on the shortlist for the part. Unfortunately for him, Peter Davidson took the role of the fifth Doctor instead. Griffiths was shortlisted again when it was announced that sixth Doctor, Colin Baker, would be leaving the show, but he sadly lost out to Sylvester McCoy.
1 Should Be Doctor Who: Harry Melling
Melling famously played Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter movies, so he's probably not the first person you think of when considering Doctor Who. However, he does possess the quirkiness that is perfect for the part.
If he did take on the role, he would be keeping it in the family! He's the grandson of the second Doctor, Patrick Troughton, so there is Time Lord DNA running through his veins. Melling had already shown interest in the role when speaking to The Express, so here's hoping he gets to fill his late grandfather's shoes one day!
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