New Doctor Who Actor To Be Revealed This Sunday

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New Doctor Who Actor To Be Revealed This Sunday

Posted by Soulskill on Friday August 2, 2013 @03:55AM from the can-it-be-david-tennant-again dept.

New submitter b06r011 writes "The 12th actor to play Doctor Who will be revealed on BBC1 this Sunday at 1900. Rupert Grint and Peter Capaldi have been tipped as favourites to replace Matt Smith but that is no reason to stop idle speculation on a Friday afternooon. This all raises an interesting point though — particularly for Dr Who, where the replacement of an actor whilst maintaining the character is a key part of the plot. Would you rather find out in advance or wait until the end of the regeneration sequence?"

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Rupert Grint? by nine-times · 2013-08-02 04:00 · Score: 5, Insightful

Really? Rupert Grint? I suppose there have been some references to the Doctor wanting to be a ginger, but I don't really see Ron Weasley pulling it off.
1. Re:Rupert Grint? by Shatrat · 2013-08-02 04:10 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  It's the modern era progression of making the Doctor younger and more of a wimp, until eventually he is a zygote time lord.
  
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2. Re:Rupert Grint? by interkin3tic · 2013-08-02 04:32 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I didn't see underwear model and rapper Marky Mark pulling off a serious acting career. Maybe assume that the people in charge of casting know a little bit more about whether he can act than you do.
3. Re:Rupert Grint? by firex726 · 2013-08-02 04:50 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  I wish they'd do something radical, make him an older woman for example. There are many established british actresses who could play the part.
  Plus it'd add an interesting dynamic with River.
4. Re:Rupert Grint? by Comrade+Ogilvy · 2013-08-02 05:10 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  Catherine Tate. I wish they would go with Catherine Tate. As Donna Noble is timelordish already, one can easily imagine another regeneration accident might accomplish the transition.
5. Re:Rupert Grint? by Zordak · 2013-08-02 05:39 · Score: 2
  
  She would make an awesome Doctor. And she's ginger. If it's Rupert Grint, I may just have to stop watching. I was willing to give Matt Smith a chance, and he was much better than I had feared, but I'm tired of this race to prepubescence. And while we're talking crazy paradoxes, I actually kind of liked Paul McGann. His TARDIS console room was easily my favorite of all time. If they're not going to give us Catherine Tate, bring back Eight as Twelve. Make it have something to do with the Valeyard if you want. Just give me an actor who doesn't look like he's twelve.
  
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6. Re:Rupert Grint? by interkin3tic · 2013-08-02 05:45 · Score: 2
  
  Let X = an actor or actress you think is decent at acting.
  
  "I wouldn't have thought X could do (insert good movie X was in, not his/her first acting job) after (insert first acting job here)"
7. Re:Rupert Grint? by Tyler+Durden · 2013-08-02 06:08 · Score: 3
  
  What, does no one else remember Boogie Nights? I can't be that old.
  
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8. Re:Rupert Grint? by i+kan+reed · 2013-08-02 06:54 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  "A man has created a work that did not entertain me. Guards, throw him in the dungeon; he clearly is used up. And bring me a baby who has never made a mistake."
9. Re:Rupert Grint? by alexander_686 · 2013-08-02 07:54 · Score: 2
  
  I would agree and be a bit more general.
  Before he became the showrunner, I loved every episode that he wrote – and most things he did.
  Since he became showrunner, there has only been 2 or 3 epsiode that I felt were great.
I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by jellomizer · 2013-08-02 04:01 · Score: 5, Insightful

He would make an awesome Doctor.

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1. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-02 04:13 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  I think he'd make a better Master.
2. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by i+kan+reed · 2013-08-02 04:22 · Score: 2
  
  Oh man, I just realized he's been typecast as a sociopath. (dragons are large, fire-breathing sociopaths for all intents and purposes)
3. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by invid · 2013-08-02 04:33 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  My vote would go to Hugh Laurie. With House done with, what the heck else does he have to do?
  
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4. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by idontgno · 2013-08-02 04:50 · Score: 2
  
  So, from Doctor House to Doctor Whoose*. But it still wouldn't be lupus.
  *Nah, never mind that. It would just sound like they just relocated House from New Jersey to Toronto.
  
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5. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by firex726 · 2013-08-02 04:52 · Score: 2
  
  I think hey said the limit is a non-issue, in that was self imposed by the TimeLords, since they are out of the picture, it's no problem now.
6. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by Em+Adespoton · 2013-08-02 04:55 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  My vote would go to Hugh Laurie. With House done with, what the heck else does he have to do?
  But you know if they cast Hugh, his sidekick would have to be played by Stephen Fry....
7. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by h4rr4r · 2013-08-02 05:02 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  YES, do that!!!
  TAKE MY MONEY PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  I am throwing money at the screen but nothing is happening.
8. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by NoNonAlphaCharsHere · 2013-08-02 05:16 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I am throwing money at the screen but nothing is happening.
  
  Allright, which one of you assholes let Steve Ballmer in here?
9. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by jeffmflanagan · 2013-08-02 05:38 · Score: 2
  
  If it was self-imposed by the Time Lords, the Master could have just ignored their edict, since regeneration can't rely on Gallifrey.
  Obviously it's just a story, so they can change it any way they like, but I'd like to see them do more than just retcon, and actually have something happen to the Doctor to extend his regenerations. They could have explained it as absorbing energy when destroying Gallifrey during the time war, but just saying it was voluntary is weak. 12 regenerations probably seemed like plenty to the writers back in the day. I doubt anyone expected the show to go on for this long.
10. Re:I still would like Benidict Cumberbatch by Noughmad · 2013-08-02 09:12 · Score: 2
  
  What? I thought he was a great Arthur Dent. By far the best actor in the movie.
  
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I heard about this yesterday by kiriath · 2013-08-02 04:02 · Score: 2

I was almost unable to sleep last night with excitement.
So, crazy, excited.
Still, there would be something to be said for waiting till the regeneration sequence... though in this day and age it would be very tough to like Doctor Who and not find out via some means beforehand.
I would love to wait by omnichad · 2013-08-02 04:03 · Score: 5, Insightful

Sure, I'd love to wait and find out. It will be literally impossible. Headlines will spoil it, photos attached to stories will spoil it. Won't even be able to log into Facebook. Just trying to look up details on air date. It will be impossible to remain uninformed.
1. Re:I would love to wait by omnichad · 2013-08-02 04:52 · Score: 2
  
  It's being announced 3 months before the reveal episode airs. Piracy makes no difference. Essentially completely off-topic.
2. Re:I would love to wait by inasity_rules · 2013-08-02 07:00 · Score: 2
  
  OK, I'll feed the troll: The paid for TV service where I live broadcasts top gear pretty much as a day after the BBC in the UK. I happen to on occasion pirate it because I can get it about a day sooner and watch it on my laptop which travels with me instead of my paid for satellite TV service. Now, I've paid for the damn thing, and I'm watching the damn thing. Am I cheap or lazy? Or perhaps I just want a service (and am willing to pay for) that the idiot networks aren't willing to provide? Perhaps it isn't quite as arbitrarily clear cut as you seem to think?
  
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Ebonic headline by Latent+Heat · 2013-08-02 04:06 · Score: 2

I read "New Doctor Who Actor" as Ebonic grammar . . .
Film the scene with multiple actors by AngryMuppet · 2013-08-02 04:08 · Score: 2

Don't let anyone know which one it will be until it airs.
1. Re:Film the scene with multiple actors by AngryMuppet · 2013-08-02 04:29 · Score: 2
  
  Then reuse the scenes from the other actors later in the series to create one or more alternate-Doctor uber-villains that someone creates by diverging the timeline at his moment of regeneration.
Needs New Writer Instead by Anonymous Coward · 2013-08-02 04:08 · Score: 4, Interesting

I'm waiting until they reveal the next writer. Matt Smith has done a fine job, but Moffat just hasn't been giving him as good of scripts as Davies wrote for Eccleston and Tennant.
1. Re:Needs New Writer Instead by jeffmflanagan · 2013-08-02 04:37 · Score: 2
  
  Having Moffat write occasional fantasy episodes was fine, and resulted in some great Doctor Who, but turning the whole series into a fantasy show was a mistake. They should have a science fiction fan at the helm.
2. Re:Needs New Writer Instead by pauljlucas · 2013-08-02 04:37 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  I'm waiting until they reveal the next writer. Matt Smith has done a fine job, but Moffat just hasn't been giving him as good of scripts as Davies wrote for Eccleston and Tennant.
  
  During the Eccleston and Tennant years, Davies' scripts were mediocre/bad. It was only Moffat that wrote the good stories (e.g., The Empty Child, The Girl in the Fireplace, and, probably the best story in the new series, Blink).
  Given stories like that, I was really excited when Moffat took over from Davies, but, sadly, now that's he's lead writer, the stores are back to being mediocre/bad. It might be because being lead writer, nobody has the guts to tell him his scripts are rubbish and go back and rewrite them.
  
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3. Re:Needs New Writer Instead by Comrade+Ogilvy · 2013-08-02 06:12 · Score: 2
  
  Being a showrunner is one of the toughest jobs in showbiz. It is easy to be spread too thin. Just because Moffat is not doing great does not mean anyone else can do better. To me, it suggests that they need fresh blood amongst the stable of non-lead writers.
Re:John Hurt by geminidomino · 2013-08-02 04:10 · Score: 3, Interesting

Contextually, he was actually introduced as a previous doctor. Some sort of disavowed apostate thing because of his, as yet unrevealed, crimes.
If they kept us on a nine-month cliffhanger and reveal said crimes to be how he ended the time war (which we've known for years now), so help me, I'm starting the Revolutionary War all over again...
As River Song says, No Spoilers! by Aggrazel · 2013-08-02 04:10 · Score: 2

I'm going to try to avoid finding out who the next doctor will be, though it'll probably be next to impossible.
Though I'd love to see the nerdrage/glee if they name a female actor to the role.
1. Re:As River Song says, No Spoilers! by Noughmad · 2013-08-02 07:28 · Score: 2
  
  And why should the people follow you?
  Because unlike some other The Doctors, I can speak with an American accent!
  
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Next Doctor by captain_dope_pants · 2013-08-02 04:11 · Score: 4, Interesting

I'd go for Christopher Lloyd - in full-on Emmett Brown / Jim Ignatowski mode, preferably with a British accent but it's not that important. That'd be awesome :)

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How is Who a Spoiler? by Golddess · 2013-08-02 04:11 · Score: 2

Not sure I understand how "who" could be considered a spoiler. I could see someone caring about the how/why he needs to regenerate, but not who he regenerates into.

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Re:Here's an idea by Sarten-X · 2013-08-02 04:36 · Score: 2

But that's part of the Doctor's appeal. He's not just a single personality... he's a complex alien whose latest mentality comes forth upon regeneration. After being forced to commit genocide against his whole species, he's an angry nihilist. Slowly, major events in his life make him a more well-rounded person, and the exrenal changes are the most visible part of that. Frankly, seeing the same Doctor for 10 years would be boring, because a major aspect of the character's development would stall.

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Grint would be a peculiar choice... by FellowConspirator · 2013-08-02 05:02 · Score: 4, Interesting

Personally, what I'd like to see is a more deliberative and cunning Doctor, more so than a rogue -- something harkening back to previous doctors. Also more 2-3 episode story arcs. Far too many of the stories seem rushed. The pace needs to be notched down and story given more depth with some more richness to the character. They should pick someone that could carry that sort of role. The only thing I've seen Grint perform in is the Harry Potter movies, and while he did an admirable job as Ron Weasley, I don't know that he'd have the presence to carry the role of the Doctor (perhaps I'm mistaken).
Also, I'd like the Doctor's mortality (and maybe a view into his psyche regarding the subject) to be explored. Presumably, Time Lords have finite regenerations (at one time indicated to be 12) - well, this new Doctor will be at (or nearly at) his final regeneration: will he accept it or struggle to for a way to prolong his life? Will it make him less brash/more timid? Will he consider retirement? Will he seek out his daughter and hand her the torch to become the defender of mankind and meddler in time and space?
1. Re:Grint would be a peculiar choice... by Jason+Levine · 2013-08-02 05:17 · Score: 2
  
  If by "his daughter", you mean Jenny, the "clone daughter" from "The Doctor's Daughter", then he wouldn't seek her out. Last he saw her, she died and didn't regenerate. Only after he left did her regeneration kick in (albeit without her changing forms) and she took off to explore the Universe. They could bring her back by having her contact the Doctor or run into him, but why would he seek out someone who he thinks died (and whose timeline doesn't allow for a visit without meeting his past self)?
  
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Re:How many more? by firex726 · 2013-08-02 05:10 · Score: 2

Davies and the BBC have already ruled out the 12 regeneration rule:
http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/10/26/interview-russell-t-davies-talks-about-that-sarah-jane-adventures-line/
It's About Time by Baby+Duck · 2013-08-02 05:24 · Score: 2

No, seriously, it's about Time.

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Americanized rubbish by Thud457 · 2013-08-02 05:41 · Score: 3, Funny

As long as he can yell " RUN! " and wave his SONIC SCREWDRIVER around like a bloody magic wand, I'm sure whoever'll be perfectly adequate.

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Re:Here's an idea by LostOne · 2013-08-02 05:47 · Score: 2

Not quite correct, actually. Both Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee were on longer than 4 seasons. Pertwee was on for 5 seasons and Tom Baker was on for 7 seasons.

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Re:John Hurt by Zordak · 2013-08-02 05:55 · Score: 2

If they kept us on a nine-month cliffhanger and reveal said crimes to be how he ended the time war (which we've known for years now), so help me, I'm starting the Revolutionary War all over again...
Not much of a cliffhanger. Of course he's some between-eight-and-nine version that ended the time war. The interesting thing will be to find out how he did it. What is the "Moment?" How did it simultaneously destroy both the Timelords and the Daleks? Well, most of the Daleks. Actually, he screwed up the bit about destroying the Daleks pretty bad. How many managed to slip through? Plus like a million hiding in the Void. Plus Davros survived.
Okay, let me start over. Of course he's the one who ended the Time War by destroying the Time Lords and probably at least a majority of the Daleks. The question is, how did he do it? What exactly did he do? What is the "Moment," and how come it worked so well against Time Lords and so poorly against Daleks?

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Re:WW by JustOK · 2013-08-02 05:57 · Score: 2

Lots of planets don't have a British accent.

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Re:How many more? by Zordak · 2013-08-02 06:04 · Score: 4, Insightful

It would still be nice for them to actually acknowledge this major point of the Doctor Who universe and do something clever with it. Yes, we know that it's possible for Time Lords to achieve more than 12 regenerations. They gave the Master a whole new set (somehow) at one point. But don't just ignore it and pretend like it's not there. Also, they tacitly acknowledged a regeneration limit when River Song used up all her "remaining" regenerations to save the Doctor's life, and then got angry when he "wasted" regeneration energy (which he can apparently just tap at will now) healing her hand. I understand that they're not just going to dump this cash cow once they reach 13 because of an artificial limit they set like 35 years ago. But at least acknowledge it and do something with it.

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Way Out There Suggestion by Stormy+Dragon · 2013-08-02 06:11 · Score: 3, Interesting

Rowan Atkinson. I actually thought he did a good enough job in the "Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death" parody that I've wanted to see what he'd be like as the real Dr. Who.
Alton Brown by halcyon1234 · 2013-08-02 06:22 · Score: 2

Alton Brown for Doctor!

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Re:John Hurt by Pretzalzz · 2013-08-02 06:29 · Score: 2

They haven't been on Syfy for a while. They are on BBC America in the US and I've never heard a suggestion that they are edited.
Please! by Ol+Olsoc · 2013-08-02 06:49 · Score: 2

This is the perfect part for Gilbert Gottfried.

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Re:WW by Nethead · 2013-08-02 07:13 · Score: 2

The smeg you say!

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