# Who should play the next Doctor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 2, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914 "2013-06-02T02:47:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/181 "2013-08-05T20:02:31Z")
To be fair, Eccleston doesn’t _want_ you to remember him as The Doctor. I liked him though. And I think it’s shitty he wants to distance himself so much from it. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/182 "2013-08-05T20:14:47Z")
Eccleston’s attitude is extremely disappointing. He was my first Doctor, and I remember questioning whether I’d go on with the show after I’d watched the first series–I mean, how could this upstart Tennant match Eccleston? 😛 And so, I’d rather he not be a bit of a twat. Perhaps in twenty or thirty years he’ll get all paunchy, develop a sense of humor about himself and turn into a Doctor Who version of William Shatner. Or perhaps there won’t be another lousy Angels and/or River episode this series. My hopes are not high for either eventuality. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/183 "2013-08-05T20:33:22Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Why not? I mean a younger person probably needs to wait a bit for a memoir, but you said working-class Glaswegians can’t write one? A ‘memoir’ is a little too posh for council estate Glaswegians, even if that’s what the Wikipedia writer/s choose to term it. He wrote a book, at best an autobiography. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/184 "2013-08-05T21:16:36Z")
> [@BrokenBriton](#): > > A ‘memoir’ is a little too posh for council estate Glaswegians You actually typed this on a public forum. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/185 "2013-08-05T21:25:24Z")
Followed by this: you should get out a bit more. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/186 "2013-08-05T21:52:11Z")
I’ll never understand British classism. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/187 "2013-08-05T22:02:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I’ll never understand British classism. Council estate Glaswegians should just know their place, basically ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/188 "2013-08-06T00:36:11Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > I loved him in “In the Loop,” but I didn’t know he played the same character in a TV series before now! I wish he could cuss as the Doctor because he has such a great way using vulgar language. Really? I _only_ know him from _In the Loop_, and I _really_ don’t want to see that character as the Doctor. Such a horrid self-important ass. The Doctor is full of himself enough at times, without being that creature. I may never watch _Doctor Who_ again. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/189 "2013-08-06T00:37:04Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I’m just pleased that the Doc is again older than me For me the last one was Sylvester McCoy. ☹ > [@jayjay](#): > > I do believe **Broken Briton** was indulging in a bit of regional ribbing…I read it as having the implied ending “…because they can’t remember most of what happened due to the alcoholic haze” but I’m not British so I’m not absolutely sure what the current regional stereotypes might be. I’m pretty sure the current regional stereotype would be, “Because they don’t live long enough due to the alcohol, fighting, and alcohol.” 😉 Hmm, Ferguson hasn’t scheduled him yet. Probably hard to pull him away from the Brits just now. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/190 "2013-08-06T00:39:25Z")
If Bing Hitler wants to write a _mem-waahr,_ who’s to stop him? ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/191 "2013-08-06T04:48:35Z")
I desperately want there to be a companion or at least character named Marina, so I can hear him say “You say the darnedest things Marina” in that [same gentle, lilting voice](http://youtu.be/KiNSCKtfVos?t=1m7s) from [Local Hero](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085859/reference). That’s where I first saw him and mainly know him from. > [@foolsguinea](#): > > Really? I _only_ know him from _In the Loop_, and I _really_ don’t want to see that character as the Doctor. Such a horrid self-important ass. > > The Doctor is full of himself enough at times, without being that creature. I haven’t seen In The Loop, but if that character is a “creature” why would you think that Capaldi would play the Doctor the same way? Why would you think that he wants people to hate the Doctor? Why would he be any more likely to play the Doctor as a horrid, self-important ass rather than the sweet, gentle, kind, awkward man he plays in Local Hero, or some new way altogether? > [@foolsguinea](#): > > I may never watch _Doctor Who_ again. Seriously? The definition of Acting, according to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acting) (bolding mine): > [@](#): > > Acting is the work of an actor or actress, which is a person in theater, television, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by **portraying a character** and, usually, **speaking** or singing **the written text** or play. Peter Capaldi has been an actor (see above) since 1972. His acting roles, according to [IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0134922/?ref_=sr_1) are fairly extensive and eclectic, yet you’re willing to write him and the Doctor off based on the one character you’ve seen that you don’t like. Please tell me you’re joking. Please watch Local Hero to get a new take on him. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/192 "2013-08-06T07:10:47Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Council estate Glaswegians should just know their place, basically Glaswegians tell each other, basically. Tend not big on ‘airs and graces’, as Ferguson and Capaldi would very likely agree. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/193 "2013-08-06T13:42:54Z")
I will say that I’m disappointed he’s no longer sporting that Van Dyke he had in the shots I was seeing of him when he was the front-runner. That was a beard worthy of the Doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/194 "2013-08-06T14:30:41Z")
That was the look he sported as Charles the First in “The Devil’s Whore”, which, if Who fans have not yet seen it, also stars The Master - John Simms. Capaldi was wonderful, as usual, as Charles. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/195 "2013-08-06T14:36:17Z")
I never recognize or particularly like any of the doctors at first glance. They usually win my love by the end of the first ep or two. I’m fairly confident this new guy will be the same. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/196 "2013-08-06T15:05:52Z")
Oh, god, that beard! I wouldn’t mind the Doctor having facial hair, but not that beard! He looks like he’s auditioning for Tombstone. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/197 "2013-08-06T15:36:26Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Oh, god, that beard! I wouldn’t mind the Doctor having facial hair, but not that beard! He looks like he’s auditioning for Tombstone. …or a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/198 "2013-08-06T15:43:58Z")
Where are we on regenerations? Is the Doctor officially on his last life? I’m not sure because I don’t know whether the David Tennant Doctor’s recovery from being shot with a Dalek gun was an “official” regeneration or not. Plus, I have absolutely no idea where the John Hurt unDoctor fits in. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/199 "2013-08-06T15:51:15Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Where are we on regenerations? Is the Doctor officially on his last life? I’m not sure because I don’t know whether the David Tennant Doctor’s recovery from being shot with a Dalek gun was an “official” regeneration or not. Plus, I have absolutely no idea where the John Hurt unDoctor fits in. We’re on the 11th regeneration (12th Doctor). Canonically, it’s very vague wether the 12-regeneration limit was an actual natural limitation or if it was a Time Lord-created law. There’s also some question about the regeneration energy that River used to revive the Doctor in Let’s Kill Hitler and whether or not it “refilled” his “regeneration tank”. So I’d say they have plenty of wiggle room to keep the regenerations going past the 13th Doctor. And nobody really knows how Hurt fits in (other than Moffatt, anyway). He could be the 9th Doctor’s old age, he could be a previously-unknown “real” 10th Doctor, he could be the Zero-th Doctor (pre-Hartnell). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-play-the-next-doctor/659914/200 "2013-08-06T15:56:24Z")
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