9. Damien Molony
When Aidan Turners Mitchell left the UKs Being Human to don a dwarf-wig in Middle Earth, people were understandably concerned. After all, you cant have a show which is ostensibly about vampires, werewolves and ghosts attempting to live normal lives without a vampire to hang some drug-metaphor drama onto. Yet fans cocked an eyebrow once more when they learnt that they were actively replacing the fan-favourite fingerless glove-wearing vampire with a new guy. Yet for my money, Damien Molony who came highly touted as a young actor was brilliant in the part, possibly (whisper it) better than Mitchell. His buttoned-up, old-world reluctant psychopath made for compelling viewing, combining intellect, menace and not-of-this-time mannerisms. He was hands down the best thing in the later series, and has picked up more work on series two of BBC Ones awesome Ripper Street as a result. The fact hes taken a role could mean that hes not available for the Doctor Who roadshow, yet if Smiths later series have shown us anything, its that Doctor Who is incredibly flexible with its actors and production. You might also argue that hes relatively untested, but hes got more experience than Smith before his casting, and that didnt stop the showrunners taking a chance on the man with magnificent hair. Really, Molony would be my favourite pick as his Hal has so many attributes you coul put into the Doctor the towering intellect, the reined-in savagery, the tortured soul and the seemingly illogical love for humanity are all traits hes showcased with aplomb before, so hed be a good pick for Moffat. Also, lets not remember that Moffat works closely with Being Human helmer Toby Whitehouse, which can only help Molonys chances.