Doctor Who: Who Should Be The 12th Doctor?

Doctor Who: Who Should Be The 12th Doctor?

"Doctor, what's happened?" - Peri.

"Change, my dear. And not a moment too soon." - Sixth Doctor

Doctor Who is a funny thing. Many say it's become a cult show that has become increasingly alienating to new viewers; others say it's a family show that's easily accessible for all ages. 

Whatever the general consensus may be, as soon as one actor portraying the Doctor announces they're leaving the 50 year old sci-fi, the whole world jumps on board the bandwagon of speculation. The bookies are having a whale of a time. 

The big news in the television world this week hit the headlines as Matt Smith revealed he is leaving Doctor Who. In 2010, the youngest Doctor ever had the unenviable task of taking over from David Tennant; luckily Smith took the part and ran with it, giving us an incarnation of the Time Lord who appeared old, young, morose, childlike and ridiculous at the same time.

As always, however, Doctor Who is about to move on into a new era. The Eleventh Doctor will be regenerating during this year's "tear-jerking, action packed" Christmas special - so who should jump on board to take on the part of Doctor number twelve? Here are just ten almost likely, almost possible and frankly crazy ideas, accompanied by some personal choices...

10 - Olivia Colman

With the recent 'uproar' regarding sexual equality in Doctor Who, the show may finally be on the hunt for a female to play the Time Lord. The Doctor can regenerate into anything or anyone, after all. Olivia Colman has recently impressed the country with her starring role in Broadchurch (opposite David Tennant, funnily enough), and her range is such that she could portray The Doctor in a way that pays homage to previous incarnations while also bringing fresh charisma to the role. Although a female Doctor could cause some controversial changes concerning the Time Lord's relationship with River Song...

You'll recognise her from: Peep Show (2003 - ), Broadchurch (2013)

9 - Chris O'Dowd

The most recent trend of Doctor Who (if the last two are anything to go by) is that The Doctor has to be a young man with looks to attract the average teenage girl. Isn't it time we had an actor with comedic experience? An Irish Doctor! There's nothing funnier than that. That said, Chris O'Dowd is unlikely to fit Doctor Who in his schedule thanks to his current breakthrough in to the Hollywood limelight. 

You'll recognise him from: The IT Crowd (2006 - ), Bridesmaids (2011)

8 - John Hurt

This one is very unlikely, as (in one of the biggest twists in Doctor Who history) the Eleventh Doctor acknowledged that John Hurt's character is a former incarnation of the Time Lord. However, could it be possible that Hurt is actually a future version, and The Doctor's memories were muddled as a result of entering his own time stream? Er, probably not. Either way, we will see John Hurt, in his own words, "playing The Doctor in a sort of trinity with Matt Smith and David Tennant" in this year's 50th Anniversary Special.

You'll recognise him from: Harry Potter (2001 - 2011), Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2011)

7 - Richard Madden

On the other end of the spectrum, the BBC might again decide to go for youth. Scottish actor Richard Madden, most known for his rocket to fame as Robb Stark in Game of Thrones, would be an excellently diverse choice for The Doctor, whilst also keeping in line with the trend of young, poster-boy actors. The fact that he is actually Jenna-Louise Coleman's boyfriend is sure to help, plus it seems he's recently become unemployed...

You'll recognise him from: Game of Thrones (2010 - ), Hope Springs (2012)

6 - Peter Mullan

Yet another Scot to join the fray, Peter Mullan has a particularly diverse career, with a directing credit on 2011's Glasgow-based Neds as well as starring in some made-for-TV dramas and various Hollywood hitters such as Braveheart and Welcome To The Punch. In terms of The Doctor's dark side, Mullan would excel and the chemistry with co-star Jenna-Louise Coleman is easy to envisage even now.

You'll recognise him from: Braveheart (1995), The Fear (2012)

5 - Ben Whishaw

One of the more obvious choices for The Doctor has emerged as Ben Whishaw, an excellent young Brit who has already bagged a BAFTA for leading actor. While Whishaw would be an eccentric and energetic version of The Doctor, his casting would continue the recently predictable trend of the Time Lord getting younger with each regeneration. Some would argue that he bears too much resemblance to Matt Smith as well, but that would save on the CGI cost for the regeneration sequence....

You'll recognise him from: Cloud Atlas (2012), Skyfall (2012)

4 - Benedict Cumberbatch

Despite having already stated he'd never want to play The Doctor, Benedict Cumberbatch is still one of the favourites at the bookies. The star of Sherlock (the other project co-written by Doctor Who show-runner Steven Moffat) has injected that particular franchise with a modern twist, creating a Sherlock Holmes who is as socially challenged as he is intelligent. Sound like anyone in particular? That being said, most Doctor Who fans would much rather see Cumberbatch playing The Master thanks to John Simm's reluctance to return to the role.

You'll recognise him from: Sherlock (2010 - ), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

3 - Dominic Monaghan

Dominic Monaghan is no stranger to fantasy or drama, with a major role in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and as Charlie in three seasons of Lost. The British-born actor's CV is certainly impressive but over the last few years, he has kept his appearances to a minimum. Doctor Who would be the perfect vehicle for him to regain the spotlight, and he would definitely be a fantastic choice for the 12th Doctor. You only need to watch The Lord of the Rings to see that he can handle both action and comedy in equal measure - two major factors that make up Doctor Who's success.

You'll recognise him from: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001 - 2003), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

2 - Joseph Gilgun

Sure, he's a bit of a left field choice but after starring in Misfits, Joseph Gilgun has proven his ability to easily win over devoted fans by taking over as the show's central character. Eccentric, dark and hilarious all at the same time, his performance in E4's teen-drama is fantastic experience on its own, but with acting credits opposite Guy Pearce in Lockout and in Channel 4's This Is England, Joseph Gilgun would be an ideal (if, again, annoyingly young) choice for the 12th Doctor - plus that accent itself would make the show infinitely more enjoyable.

You'll recognise him from: Misfits (2009 - ), Ripper Street (2013)

1 - David Thewlis

From Christopher Eccleston to David Tennant to Matt Smith: each incarnation of The Doctor in recent years has been getting younger and younger. It's time for a change, and David Thewlis is the man to bring it. He's probably too high profile for the role and, according to IMDB he has various projects on the go up until the end of 2014. That being said, his acting style is diverse enough for The Doctor, possibly even harking back to classic Doctors like William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton. 

Is he likely to be picked? Probably not. In fact, whoever bags the role of The Doctor is more likely going to be a complete unknown, much as Matt Smith was in 2009.

And yet that's the beauty of the show. Sure, fans are always wary of the new Doctor at first. I was particularly apprehensive about Smith, considering that David Tennant was a personal favourite but within a few weeks, the bow-tie wearing, speech-making, fish fingers and custard eating Eleventh Doctor had won me over. The actor evolves with their interpretation of The Doctor and the show is the best launch pad into stardom that anyone could hope for. 

Until then though we have the 50th Anniversary Special in November, as well as Matt Smith's final episode on Christmas Day. Geronimo!

Some suggestions that didn't quite make the list:

Sean Pertwee - The son of Third Doctor Jon Pertwee.

Rupert Grint - Just because he's ginger doesn't mean he's getting the job.

Helen Mirren - Just because she's a woman doesn't mean she's getting the job.

David Tennant - He's gone! Get over it!