Top 25 Actors to play The Doctor

Quite a long time ago, I made a promise on this blog that I would do a list of my prefered actors to play certain characters. The promise I made was for actors to play Batman, James Bond and The Doctor. With news that Jodie Whittaker is leaving the series after the next season, I felt I should do this list having tried and failed to do it in the past between the transitions. As proven by all the revival Doctors, the time lord can look young or old, have an accent if desired, be unpredictable, be any gender identity, be weird, be an actor who was in the show beforehand and possibly many other traits, but the bottom line is that the actor must make it his/her own. Also while its likely that the previously unknown incarnation seen in the last series may be the next Doctor, I would prefer that she has her own series and not be the main one given that her time would be set in the past. This list is based on who I would want to see play the Doctor the most, but I would just be happy to have any of these people play the role no matter how silly it may be. Also I'm going to pretend that scheduling conflicts are non-existent even though most of these people are busy bees in real life anyway. So let's do the list that has been a long time coming for so long:

25 - Richard Madden

Now as you will no doubt notice, there will be some picks that come from the other three lists that I did. If I'm being honest, there are several people that would be great at playing all three roles because they are that good. Now Richard Madden is an actor who has served time as a member of House Stark, went to great lengths to defuse a few bombs, can be quite charming but at the same time can also mistreat people though to avoid controversy, that's in the roles he plays and not how the actor actually behaves. As The Doctor, he would certainly be able to take on many enemies and be capable of maintaining emotions at the most difficult of times because travelling through time and space isn't all its cracked up to be. Not sure if being or embracing weird would work, but sometimes you don't have to be weird to be The Doctor.

 

24 - Matthew Lewis

Yep there will be a few Wizarding World actors on this list so let's start with Matthew Lewis. This guy is part of a group of actors that worked on the Harry Potter films that have gone on to do many great things later on. He's taking on many roles and most of us will remember when he had a body transformation so as The Doctor, he could do it. He knows what being awkward is like and knows the journey of being someone who at first wouldn't put up a fight, but would grow up to become more brave and heroic even if the odds are against him. So from that point of view, he could do it I'm sure.

 

23 - Chiwetel Ejiofor

Now we have an actor whose name I just can't pronounce all that well. Chiwetel Ejiofor has done a lot in recent years playing villains, but also charming heroic and neutral characters too. He has quite a range in terms of acting and although not necessarily the first actor of a different race to be considered for the role, I can see him doing it. But how he would do it is another matter. Because as I said, he has quite a range for acting so if he was The Doctor, his take could perhaps be very unpredictable and may even have him use everything that his acting can do. But who knows.

 

22 - Martin Freeman

Martin Freeman would be a great Doctor. His acting has seen him be the voice of reason in many films, often treated as the guy who just wants to have a normal life, but winds up travelling in space, fighting orcs and dragons and just lives the most extraordinary life in his acting. So travelling through time and space would see him continue doing those kinds of roles, but maybe with a bit of weird thrown in this time. Who knows.

 

21 - Richard Armitage

Fighting dragons, orcs, vampires, ghouls and even a tornado makes Richard Armitage a formidable and harderned Doctor if he was given the role. Not sure if he would be a weird one or be into weird things, but he can certainly play arrogant characters, hopeful characters and emotional characters which is nearly all of what's needed to play the Doctor. Plus it wouldn't be the first sci-fi franchise he has been a part of as was in one of the Star Wars prequels too.

 

20 - Noel Fielding

Oh yeah I'm putting down comedians on this list too. Now to those of you outside the UK, Noel Fielding is a comedian and actor who is basically in a transition between a goth and a normal person. He is far from normal as most comedians are, and he would be great as the Doctor. He's weird, he knows a lot about baking and tight office spaces, and it just would be nice to have him play the role instead of an actor for a change. I mean some comedians have already appeared in the show and one of them will be a new companion in the next series. So it would be great.

 

19 - Kit Harrington

You know after how Game of Thrones ended, it was ultimately Jon Snow that claimed victory after people were rooting for Cersei and Daenerys even though the throne never became his. Of all the stuff that was good about that show, Kit Harrington was great in it. He hasn't been in many well known things since and his take on The Doctor would kind of be like Martin Freeman. He knows when something isn't quite right, talks a lot of sense, very kind towards those who get bullied by others and has the greatest of intentions in most situations. Would he be too compassionate in the role? Maybe, but he wouldn't be the first Doctor to be like that.

 

18 - Rupert Grint

The next Harry Potter star on my list and lots of people might think that Rupert Grint wouldn't be that great. I think if he was the next Doctor, he would make a lot of mistakes in character and would definitely be able to act awkward and weird. But it is up in the air right now if he would have a good personality to pull off the role. Though I'm kind of reassured that he used his money from Harry Potter to give out ice cream to people, so maybe he would have a personality. I don't know, but never assume that actors would be bad choices based on things you've seen them in before. Plus as an added bonus, The Doctor will finally be ginger if he is picked.

 

17 - Daniel Radcliffe

While we're at it, let's also add to the list Mr. Harry James Potter himself. Now Daniel Radcliffe has done a lot since the films. He's played villainous roles, American roles and even roles around sexuality. So obviously he takes acting very seriously as most people would. He would have a great personality to play The Doctor and would embrace being weird. Plus it would be a walk in the park for him taking on enemies seeing as he did once defeat a man of pure evil in the Harry Potter films. Though the question is would he be too busy to play the role. But then that's a question for all the people in this list really.

 

16 - Eddie Redmayne

While a very unlikely candidate, Eddie Redmayne has proven time and time again that he can act as anything. Whether it be a keeper and carer for fantastic creatures, a man turning into a woman or a man whose movements are restricted due to motor neurone disease, Eddie can do any role he is given which even extends to the Doctor. He can be weird, switch emotions with ease and can be a bit inappropriate like other incarnations. So yeah I'd say he would be a great choice. Though unlikely this time due to his other commitments.

 

15 - Rory Kinnear

Rory Kinnear has done a fair bit too. Playing a prime minister who f**ked a pig, a chief of staff for MI6 among other roles are just some of what he can do. Unclear if he can play the Doctor well, but the bookies have him down as a potential choice and having seen his acting talent, he would be great. It's just knowing what he will bring to the role that will make his take distinct from others, is my concern. Still a good match though.

 

14 - Joseph Fiennes

We all Ralph Fiennes as that guy who can be Voldemort, the new M and just countless other roles that have made him a reputable actor. But what about his younger brother Joseph. Yes Mr. Shakespeare himself from Shakespeare in Love who has done a fair bit of acting too, but isn't quite as well known as his brother. Maybe that can all change if he was cast as The Doctor. He can be willing to do whatever it takes to save history and a species, he can be funny and cruel and has ways to be both annoying and cunning. Be interesting to see an antagonistic Doctor, but still the same old hero we know and love.

 

13 - Tilda Swinton

So many things have put Tilda Swinton firmly into the world of pop culture. She's been the snow queen, a master sorcerer and plenty of other roles which would make her a fine choice to play the Doctor. As my first female choice on this list, I personally think she is great. She can be knowledgable, well-trained in martial arts and can lead an army as well as be yet another antagonistic Doctor, but also a calm, wise and peaceful one with a bit of cheekiness. Because if there is one thing some incarnations needed, it was to chill the heck down.

 

12 - Kris Marshall

Another favourite of the bookies now and Kris Marshall is one of those actors that you would have seen, but not in anything in pop culture. Most will know him from Love Actually, but aside from that, the only other thing you would have seen him in is some of the early BT adverts. Maybe this will be his big break. Who knows, but given how good his acting is in the few things he has done, he'd be alirght.

 

11 - David Harewood

David Harewood is another actor who has already cemented a place in pop culture. Most of you know him as the Martian Manhunter in the Arrowverse and a lot of other televison and film credits. He has also done some video games too and had previously appeared on Doctor Who in a Tenth Doctor story featuring the Master so he has already met one of the big enemies of The Doctor. Not sure if he can do weird, but he would certainly be a Doctor that can be a mentor to his companions and be able to manage emotions when the need calls for it. Also with Supergirl coming to an end, he may be able to do this role after all if offered.

 

10 - Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke has always had issues herself with the ending of Game of Thrones, but since the series ended, she has gone on to do bigger and better things. She's travelled to a galaxy far, far away, taken on the Terminator and has done a few romantic films as well as a stage production of Breakfast at Tiffany's. As for her Doctor, she can be formidable, weird, lovely and be a lot of fun too. She may even base her one on Jodie Whittaker's take if she gets the role. But if I'm being honest, anything to keep us distracted from how her character in Game of Thrones turned out is a good thing.

 

9 - Ben Whishaw

Yes I'm putting in Q and the voice of Paddington on this list too. Not to menton also appearing in a Mary Poppins film I might add. Yeah Ben Whishaw has done a lot and I reckon he would be a great Doctor too. As Q he was very interested in gadgetry so riding the Tardis and using whatever things are at his disposal will be a walk in the park. He can play weird, curious and have good manners too when facing enemies which could lead to some laugh out loud moments. He can also take on some emotional measures as proven with his role in Mary Poppins Returns. So yeah another great choice I think.

 

8 - Natalie Dormer

Natalie Dormer has spent most screen time being there for eye candy and not much else. That isn't to say that she would be a poor choice for The Doctor, not at all. People know that aside from playing roles where she sleeps and makes love with other men, she can also be manipulative, kick some a**, be a good tactition and take no nonsense from anyone even her own allies. Sometimes people just need to ignore the usual tropes in some actors and look at the things that are considered unusual about their roles. But yeah, Dormer would be a good choice in light of all that and she knows a thing or two about Tudors which is a start at least.

 

7 - Tom Hiddleston

Yeah I know its probably not going to happen due to his newly renewed commitments with Marvel. But the god of mischief may be great as The Doctor. I mean, he has played many different roles and has all the makings to be a great Doctor or even a great Master. He can be funny, weird, kick some butt and also have antagonistic qualites all for the sake of having fun in the roles he is given. Acting of course must be taken seriously, but you also need to be able to enjoy it and have fun which is what Tom Hiddleston can do if given the oppurtunity which would work well with playing The Doctor.

 

6 - Stephen Merchant

Stephen Merchant is a lot of things. Funny, weird, awkward but also great at writing, acting and playing as a character that should not be underestimated whether it be a singular core trying to take over a company or a guy just wanting to go dating and do well at it. Most of those qualities would work well with playing The Doctor if he got the role and wasn't too busy on other projects. Plus as someone quite tall, it would be funny to see how his enemies would cope with his height.

 

5 - John Boyega

Disney did bad for John Boyega in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. They sidelined him after been given quite a big role in the first film of that trilogy. So if the BBC do give him the role of the Doctor, that to me would be a win for the Black Lives Matter (though the same can be said for any of the actors on this list that are affected by that movement) movement and for John Boyega as it would give him a starring role that you just cannot sideline at any cost. Apart from his adventures in the Star Wars franchise, he's had some dealings with other aliens such as kaiju in Pacific Rim: Uprising and those creatures in Attack the Block (which apparently do have an actual name, but the filmmakers just refer to them as aliens) and he has played other roles too. Aside from his support in the Black Lives Matter movement, he knows how to have a good time, can take on serious and funny emotions and I guess being weird would be something different to what he is used too, but would be a welcome sight nonetheless. So yes, another good choice and it would be a slap in the face at Disney if he or anyone that they treated badly on this list, got the role.

 

4 - Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson has done loads since she started acting. Lots of different roles under her belt such as the magical Nanny McPhee, the weird but loveable Sybill Trelawney and lots of other roles that have seen her take no nonsense, be a mother and even voice an animal or two. With all the roles she has done over the years, its hard to predict what kind of Doctor she would be if given the role. But then again, that is one of the great things about this kind of role. Make it your own and see where you go from there. So she would certainly be an interesting choice for sure.

 

3 - Simon Pegg

You know its hard to imagine that such an actor like Simon Pegg would be quick to cement himself in pop culture. He has taken on zombies, a syndicate disguised as a neighbourhood watch, aliens on several occasions and jerks at the London Marathon. Plus he's worked alongside a previous Doctor and even starred as a villain in one episode of the show. Simon Pegg is a full on nerd anyway and would be a great choice for the Doctor on that front. He can be weird, take some sense, have a bit of fun, can be serious too. But no question of it that he can definitley be a formidable Doctor against his enemies. Plus I also believe he is another bookies favourite.

 

2 - Idris Elba

Yes I know I keep putting Idris Elba on all these actor lists. But can you really blame me? He is a fantastic actor who has done so much since his rise to stardom and its not just those Sky adverts he does here in the UK. He has played heroes, villains, mentors, a tiger, a buffalo, a Norse deity and so many other great roles. Plus you hear a lot that actors who were in a series once, would return either to appear in an episode for story purposes or to direct an episode or two. It happened in The Walking Dead and Idris Elba is a director as well as an actor (some of the other people on the list have also directed things too) and even a DJ too. But again like with Emma Thompson, its difficult to know what kind of Doctor he could become if he got the role. But again, its a role you can make your own.

Now while I don't always have honourable mentions on these lists, this time I do because there are just so many great people that could play The Doctor. So here is the list:

 

Honourable Mentions

• Rowan Atkinson
• Chris O'Dowd
• Matt Berry
  
• Simon Bird
• Mark Heap
• David Walliams
• Charlie Cox
• Mark Strong
• Rupert Everett
• Adam Buxton
• Damian Lewis
• Benedict Cumberbatch
• Daisy Ridley
• Emma Watson
• Frank Skinner
• Peter Kay
• Ardal O'Hanlon
• Lee Evans
• Bill Bailey
• Robert Webb
• David Mitchell
• Lee Mack
• Rob Brydon
• Mark Gatiss
• Cate Blanchett
• Andrew Lincoln
• Tom Payne
• Taron Egerton
• Colin Firth
• Colin Farrell

And now for my number one choice:

 

1 - Richard Ayoade

Another favourite of the bookies, Richard Ayoade has all the makings of being a great Doctor. He's a nerd, funny, weird and even sarcastic. Most would probably not think of him as being The Doctor, but he has done a lot of things since his rise to prominance. He's presented his own shows, done a bit of acting with Ben Stiller and more recently Disney and he has quite a distinctive voice too. He has lots of qualites that would work well in playing the Doctor and he can also be innapropiate in otherwise serious situations which can add for hilarious effect (though the fanbase may disagree on that front). So yes out of everyone on this list, Richard Ayoade would be my top pick to play The Doctor.

Thank you all for reading the list. It has been a long time coming I know, but its now finally done and thus I have fullfilled the promise that I made a few years back. If you agree or disagree or even have your own picks, leave them in the comments below and let's hope the next Doctor is a good one just like the ones we've had before and now.