This allows Doctor Who to adapt and stay fresh, with 13 actors having stepped into the lead role so far.
With current showrunner Chris Chibnall and Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker leaving the show after a series of specials in late 2022, speculation over who will inherit the TARDIS keys has begun. Russell T. Davies, who successfully rebooted the show in 2005, is returning as showrunner for 2023's 60th anniversary, while there is no word on Whittaker's replacement yet. While several long-time fan favorites have had their names thrown into the hat - Michael Sheen topped a Doctor Who fan poll earlier this year - other actors have also been mentioned.
One of those is British actress West, who starred in Davies' most recent series, It's a Sin. Speaking with RadioTimes.com, the 28-year-old responded to those hoping she'll be cast as the Doctor for season 14. Read West's full quote below.
I mean, the fact I’ve been named as one of the favourites is quite special. So I mean, it would be an honour to be the Doctor. I’m glad people think I could do it. So yeah.
As well as working with Davies on It's a Sin, West also appeared in his 2019 drama Years and Years. Working with Davies on previous projects has served other actors well when it comes to Doctor Who casting. The Ninth and Tenth Doctors, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant, had both worked with Davies on other TV shows before they were cast. Chibnall and Whittaker had also collaborated previously on the detective series Broadchurch. T'Nia Miller, who played West's character's mother in Years and Years, has also responded to fan speculation about her taking on the main role in Doctor Who season 14, claiming she would the show even if Davies asked her to say one line. West's It's a Sin co-star Olly Alexander, on the other hand, has said outright he won't be playing the Doctor following rumors.
While West claims it would be an honor to take on the role, the part is not without its criticism. Current Doctor Whittaker received some backlash as the first woman in the role. Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith too received criticism for being perceived as too young to play the aged time traveler. In fact, Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy was concerned about both Smith's age and casting a female actress in the role, though he has since itted he was wrong on both counts, chalking his criticism of Whittaker's Doctor Who casting up to "stupid sexism." With the return of Davies to the show in 2023, actors seem to be lining up to bring his writing to life. Davies and the rest of his Bad Wolf production team should have no trouble finding someone to slip into the iconic Doctor Who role, whether it be West or someone else.
Source: RadioTimes.com