Several months ago I became a “Whovian”, a rabid fan of the British television series “Doctor Who”. I had no intention of this happening, but thanks to a couple of friends who are die-hard fans and a shiny, new subscription to Netflix, I got dragged kicking and screaming into a world of time travel, companions, Daleks, Cybermen, and a blue police call box called the T.A.R.D.I.S. (Time And Relative Dimension In Space).
I didn't go all the way back to the beginning. I just started watching the reboot of the series starring Christopher Eccleston as the “Doctor” and Billie Piper as Rose, his traveling companion. At the end of that first season, the Doctor died. But not really. For those who don't follow the show, the Doctor is the last of a race of aliens called Time Lords. Time Lords don't actually die. They regenerate. Meaning they come back to life, just in the form of a different person with his own quirks and personality.
So Chris Eccleston became David Tennant, who a few seasons later became Matt Smith. Two days ago, the BBC announced that Smith has decided that after four seasons, he would be leaving the show. That means that show runner and head writer Steven Moffat needs to find a new Doctor. This has sent the Internet into a frenzy of people trying to guess who the next actor to pilot the T.A.R.D.I.S. would be. I've seen names thrown around from the absolutely ridiculous like Johnny Depp and Paris Jackson (yes, Michael's 15 year old daughter who attempted suicide this past week), to what I consider possible such as Rupert Grint. There is an ongoing joke in the show about how the Doctor has never been a redhead… Or “Ginger” as they usually put it. Some are saying that its time for there to be a female Doctor. Perhaps Helen Mirren or even the aforementioned Billie Piper. It's science fiction. I'm sure that Steve Moffat could find a way to make the former companion the Doctor that would be believable. Other names I've seen include John Hurt, Ben Whishaw, and Martin Freeman, fresh off the success of Peter Jackson's “The Hobbit”. I find the inclusion of Freeman intriguing, but I don't see it happening due to his role as Watson in Moffat's other BBC blockbuster, “Sherlock“.
I have my own theory as to who I believe will take over the role. And it's, admittedly, a bit out there. David Tennant. You may argue that David already played the 10th incarnation of the title character. How could he be the 12th? Like I said, this is only a theory… But… David Tennant is appearing in the show's 50th Anniversary episode set to air in November. In addition to this, there is another reason that I can see this happening. From what I understand, long ago it was established that the Doctor can only regenerate to number 11. Matt Smith is the 11th actor to play the iconic character. Technically, there cannot be another regeneration. My feeling is that the character will “Ungenerate” (my own invented word for the purpose of this article) back to Number 10. Think of it as sort of downgrading a version of your computer software. Like I said, this idea is kind of out there, but it is definately the type of curveball so,any of us have come to expect from Steven Moffat.
The rumor right now is that the BBC will probably announce the actor or actress stepping into the Doctor's shoes sometime next month. So we can continue to speculate until then. As long as Jenna-Louise Coleman is staying on as the Doctor's companion, I'll be a happy Whovian.
Who do you think should become the Doctor? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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Nicely written, but you are mistaken about the number of “lives” the Doctor can have. It was stated in the original series that the Doctor can regenerate 12 times, giving him 13 incarnations. The Time Lords also offered the Master a new regeneration cycle in the Five Doctors, and apparently resurrected him to fight the Time War. Something similar could happen to the Doctor once he reached the end of his regeneration cycle. And with all due respect I hope you are wrong about Tennant. I would hate to see him brought back just to please some screaming fan girls. Not only would it be bad for the show in the long run, but it could be seen as a slap in the face of Matt Smith. Besides, I believe Mr. Tennant has already signed on to other projects.
Ok… So completely blows my theory out of the water. As I mentioned, I’m not familiar with the pre-reboot episodes. I did ask some people about this, and I was told 11. Sorry for the Mis-information. But it’s still fun to think about.
That’s a very common request by the fandom, to see David come back. As for who I want as the 12th Doctor… I’d be pretty much okay with anyone as long as they are still a male (a female, while possible, is weird) and not already associated with a popular role. So no Hugh Laurie, Rupert Grint, anyone from any of the LOTR/Hobbit films, etc. Needs to be an up and comer. Other than that, I’m good.