10 Actors Who Should Play Doctor Who (But Won't)

Doctor Who will it be?

Doctor Who Ben Whishaw Tardis
BBC

Fans of Doctor Who live a constant cycle of speculation, and for good reason: their beloved show has, by necessity, more cast shake-ups than any other show in history.

Not only does it have an extremely limited recurring cast (most actors appear for only an episode or two and then disappear), but even the regular cast members have quite short shelf lives. You can expect a year or two out of most companions, and around three for each Doctor.

Then, just as we've sort of settled in with a Doctor and gotten properly acquainted, they're gone and we're on the hunt for a new actor to take their place.

Will they be old? Young? A man? A woman? Ginger? The possibilities are endless, and although there are plenty of actors who would be really great choices for the role, there are so many variables in play that it's impossible to predict who will actually be the Doctor. It's far easier to find actors who would play the role magnificently, but for whatever reason, aren't likely to be cast.

10. Domhnall Gleeson

Doctor Who Ben Whishaw Tardis
Universal Pictures

Could it actually happen one day? Could the Doctor get the thing they've been aching for for years?

If so, Domhnall Gleeson would provide a great opportunity for there to be the very first ginger Doctor. Plus, he has a sort of quiet eccentricity that would be an interesting change from some of the more bombastic Doctors we've had in the past.

By all counts, Gleeson would be perfect for the job - or rather, he would have been perfect about ten years ago, before his star went on the rise and Hollywood beckoned.

After a steady progression from Harry Potter to larger and larger roles - and then of course with the success of films like Ex Machina and the Star Wars sequels - it hardly seems like he'd have the time to devote to a full series run anytime soon. He's in constant demand in Hollywood.

That said, if he were to clear his dance card a bit and make a standalone appearance in Doctor Who - perhaps as a ginger villain, to really rub it in the Doctor's face - it doesn't seem like anyone would object.

Contributor
Contributor

Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.