James Nesbitt tipped for Dr Who role
Thursday, 30 October 2008
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James Nesbitt remains one of the hot favourites to take over from David Tennant as the 11th Dr Who, despite reportedly ruling himself out of the running.
Bookmakers Paddy Power are offering odds of 6-1 on the Murphy’s Law and Cold Feet star to take over the keys of the Tardis in 2010.
Tennant’s decision to end his popular four-year tenure as the Time Lord was announced last night while collecting the Outstanding Drama Performance gong at the National Television Awards last night.
Speaking through a video link, he told viewers: "When Dr Who returns in 2010 it won’t be with me.
"Now don’t make me cry.
“The 2009 shows will be my last playing the doctor.
"I love this show and if I don’t take a deep breath and move on now I never will and you will be wheeling me out of the Tardis in my bathchair.
"It’s been the most brilliant, mad, life-changing time over the last three-and-a-half years but I am not going yet.
“Thank you for watching it, for loving it and for being so enthusiastic about the show."
Other names being mooted include bookies’ favourite Paterson Joseph, who would be the first black doctor, Life On Mars star John Simms and his State of Play co-star David Morrisey. Robert Carlyle and Richard E Grant are other possible contenders.
There had been ongoing speculation that Tennant was planning to move on, but last night’s official announcement has sparked renewed interest in who will replace him.
Nesbitt’s name has often been linked with the role, particularly following his lead in Jekyll, which was written by Dr Who scribe Steven Moffat.
However the Coleraine actor, who was recently back home filming the BBC Iraq war drama Occupation, has reportedly said he is not interested in the high-profile part.
Paterson Joseph has already appeared in two episodes of the show playing Roderick alongside previous doctor, Christopher Eccleston.
Ignored by the bookmakers but another contender that has piqued the fanbase’s interest is Notting Hill star Rhys Ifans.
Nesbitt is one of the most recognised faces on television, starring in Cold Feet, Murphy’s Law, Midnight Man, The Passion, Fairytales and Jekyll in the past 18 months.
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How about Richard Armitage for the role?
Posted by Tim | 03.11.08, 15:44 GMT
David Tennant should not be going but since he is; we can't go back to the dull old doctors of the past. We really need to keep the naughty boy slant but for God's sake, Russell Brand !! ?? No!! Simon Pegg for Doctor Who.
Posted by Janette | 02.11.08, 18:51 GMT
Quite frankly, whoever takes Davd Tennant's place, will be hard pressed to equal, let alone surpass his performance as The Doctor. He's brought a level of dynamism to the role that never existed previously. Christopher Ecceslon started it; then David Tennant excelled, at the wonderfilled, joyous, childlishly gleeful, animated, naughty boy style that The Doctor must never be allowed to recover from. That's why whoever replaces him ( quite frankly_ unthinkable), must fit the same or a strikingly similar mould. We cannot ever, go back to the dull, old doctors of the past. I'm not sure if there is anyone fit to fill David Tennant's shoes ( ie, all the above AND good looking ) but, a couple of possibles that spring to my mind are ( yes _ maybe John Simm ); but how about Simon Pegg? He does naughty so well. Or Will Mellor? He can do Naughty and he's good looking too.
Posted by Janette | 02.11.08, 18:45 GMT
I'm sure James Nesbitt is a good actor, but plz plz plz plz plz don't cast him as the Doctor! I love the Doctor, but I won't love James Nesbitt. The Doctor speaking in a Norn Iron accent would be wrong - I don't have anything against his accent, but...well you know what happened when the Doctor wasn't English... and we can't let that happen!
Posted by kaydi | 02.11.08, 14:38 GMT
Is David Tennant stepping away from Dr. Who because he has
other things in mind to do; or is he being forced out???????
Posted by dragonreader | 02.11.08, 00:03 GMT
I'd like the new Doctor who to be someone I've never heard of. If a big celebrity is picked, it will be about the big celebrity, not about Dr Who.
Posted by Rosa | 30.10.08, 20:02 GMT
Dr Jimmy Who has a certain ring about it - he could take the tardis back to 1690 and 1916 to see what really went on.By the way I loved his Pontius Pilate - those hairy legs riding the horse were something else!!!
Posted by Bangor fan | 30.10.08, 16:48 GMT
Discerning viewer- I totally agree but itl be a laugh, i mean this is an 'actor' who portrayed Pontius Pilate with a norn iron accent :D
Posted by Flim | 30.10.08, 14:51 GMT
Please NO! Is it just me who thinks Nesbitt is a hammy performer who can't act???
Posted by Discerning viewer | 30.10.08, 14:37 GMT
Russell Brand for Dr Who!
Posted by Bod | 30.10.08, 13:43 GMT
'Now we must save the world!' said Doctor Who in a thick Coleraine accent :D
Posted by Flim | 30.10.08, 12:46 GMT
Good on ye Jimmy! No better man, hi!
Posted by Attilathehun | 30.10.08, 11:41 GMT