Doctor Who: 10 Actors Who Should Replace Peter Capaldi

3. Chiwetel Ejiofor

Hayley Atwell Doctor Who
Marvel Studios

Why He'd Be Great

Ejiofor is, quite simply, an actor of immense talent and standing, and would be one of the very best to ever step into the TARDIS.

His role in 12 Years A Slave showed just how powerful a performer he can be, and it's easy to imagine him delivering a typical Doctor speech. He's also shown that he's equally at home in everything from Shakespeare to sci-fi, so has the range to excel here.

Chances Of It Happening

Like Mbatha-Raw, it really depends on how the movie career is going. Ejifor isn't quite a HUGE star, so there's a possibility he could be tempted here, but he is an Oscar-nominee and now a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (though Doctor Strange 2 is still a few years off).

Although not confirmed, it's also widely believed that Ejifor is the black actor Moffat said he offered the role to before it eventually went to Matt Smith, with him turning it down. He hasn't - as far as anyone knows - been offered it since though, and the story is that he couldn't agree terms, not that he wasn't interested. If they can find a package that suits, this would be one hell of a casting.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.