# You know who I think would make a fantastic next Doctor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 28, 2016, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367 "2016-02-28T05:35:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [February 28, 2016, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/21 "2016-02-28T22:48:47Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Ricky Gervais. Think about it, yeah, it’s growing on you, right? And you finally name someone I expect would make me want to slap him repeatedly with an oar. I don’t know, really. Not a Scot. We’ve had two Scots in the last three. A Cornish doctor might be all right, I guess. To the OP, yes, I think Mitchell would be fun. He’s the heavy one, yes? _Either_ Mitchell or Webb would be all right, I say. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/22 "2016-02-28T22:50:05Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > What’s the logic here? Just wanting to shake things up? Or is there a role of hers you think that shows she could play a good Doctor? She’s most famous for playing a British time-traveller who (a) knows about monsters the general public hasn’t heard of, and (b) can save the day by researching solutions but (c) will point a magic wand at the problem du jour in a pinch, and you’re seriously asking which role makes me think she could play a good Doctor? ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/23 "2016-02-29T00:21:27Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > If I get something wrong I’ll just use the TARDIS to go back in time and tell myself how to do it properly; and since I didn’t do that then what I’m doing now must be going to work! …which are exactly the plots of two (well, three, technically) Red Nose Day _Doctor Who_ shorts: “Time Crash”, and “Time” and “Space”. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/24 "2016-02-29T00:50:43Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > [David Walliams has already played a Doctor Who villain.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xETlYacSCHE) I know. So has Chris Addison. It is far from unprecedented to cast someone who’s already been in it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/25 "2016-02-29T01:16:14Z")
Harry Melling. Write him in as a relative of the Second Doctor. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/26 "2016-02-29T02:23:07Z")
[Rowan Atkinson](http://youtu.be/afjvfdB5yb8) ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/27 "2016-02-29T02:39:30Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > or Jeremy Clarkson. Screaming more power, driving the tardis Declan ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/28 "2016-02-29T03:32:48Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I know. So has Chris Addison. It is far from unprecedented to cast someone who’s already been in it. The devil you say! ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/29 "2016-02-29T04:09:09Z")
I like the idea of Stephen Fry and his old partner Hugh Laurie would probably be good too, but (not) to be obnoxious, I’ll suggest an American: Peter Dinklage. I guess he’s busy now (I don’t watch it), but I think he’d be good. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/30 "2016-02-29T05:04:16Z")
Miles Jupp. or Andi Osho. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/31 "2016-02-29T05:23:12Z")
I always felt that Hugh Laurie was playing The Doctor all those years on _ **"House"** _. The Doctor with his sonic cane. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/32 "2016-02-29T05:56:54Z")
> [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](#): > > I’ll suggest an American: Peter Dinklage. I guess he’s busy now (I don’t watch it), but I think he’d be good. I’ll second this; I think he’d make a fantastic Doctor, even tho he’s American. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/33 "2016-02-29T11:43:15Z")
Alan Partridge. Not Steve Coogan, but Alan ruddy Partridge. The driving gloves can be his thing, like the scarf was, he’s already got an assistant / offsider, can chat pleasantly with aliens, but don’t get on the wrong side of him! ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/34 "2016-02-29T14:25:29Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Emma Watson. I like this idea a lot, though she’s probably too big a star at this point. They could bring back Karen Gillian as her companion. I’d enjoy them as…companions…together… Sorry, lost my train of thought there. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/35 "2016-02-29T17:27:46Z")
The Librarian - Noah Wyle Hell - thats functionally his char now - just ithout the timey-wimey wibbley wobbley. Well, some wibbley wobbely - a little timey wimey happens - but overall - yeah - he could hack it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/36 "2016-02-29T17:32:47Z")
Ozzy Osbourne? Though nobody would be able to tell what the hell he was saying half the time. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/37 "2016-02-29T17:52:06Z")
Emma Watson would be fun, particularly as they recently reconfirmed that Time Lords can change gender during regeneration. Or…fuck it - let’s get Doug Stanhope. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/38 "2016-02-29T18:37:29Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > She’s most famous for playing a British time-traveller who (a) knows about monsters the general public hasn’t heard of, and (b) can save the day by researching solutions but (c) will point a magic wand at the problem du jour in a pinch, and you’re seriously asking which role makes me think she could play a good Doctor? Yes. Because (1) you’re stretching to make that work (especially time travel), and (2) you’re describing actions, not a character. What about the character seems like the Doctor? Where’s that parental aspect or the alien aspect, or being absolutely ancient? I’m aware of the joke about how Hermione is a Time Lord, but I didn’t think your logic would be taking that seriously. By this logic, we could have anyone from Star Trek play the Doctor. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/39 "2016-02-29T18:55:32Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > By this logic, we could have anyone from Star Trek play the Doctor. you see - its the name thats important, no one would respect ‘Doctor Wesley’… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2016, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367/40 "2016-02-29T19:40:01Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yes. Because (1) you’re stretching to make that work (especially time travel), and (2) you’re describing actions, not a character. What about the character seems like the Doctor? She’s brainy. She doesn’t just _happen_ to be a time traveller, much as she doesn’t just happen to be knowledgeable; she spends her free time learning stuff, and kept going back in time because she wanted to learn even more. As for actions, she often had to crisply deliver exposition to another character, the better to bring the _audience_ up to speed – which, if it’s not part of the Doctor Who audition, bloody well should be. And for what it’s worth, Hermione Granger is supposed to be abrasive and maybe a bit awkward in the social-skills department – and Emma Watson is, of course, charming. So if she needs to be anywhere along that continuum as the Doctor, she has it on tap just like she can impeccably enunciate every informative syllable at high speeds. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-who-i-think-would-make-a-fantastic-next-doctor/747367.md?page=3)