Who could be Doctor Who?

[MonsieurBBrooks]

There are tons of Actors who people would love to see playing The Doctor and there's also a lot of Actor's who could have played him brilliantly.

So what's yours? and your reasons why.

Mine are;

 

Patrick Moore.

You may not know this, but Patrick was an Actor at one point and if he had auditioned for DW in the 60's he would have surely got the part. He has the mannerisms, the voice, the look and everything. He's the real life DW and it was great to see him in "The Eleventh Hour".

 

Edward Tudor Pole.

You've only got to watch an episode of "The Crystal Maze", he has the energy, the right dress sense and all the eccentricities. He has that Patrick Troughton look about him and he would give a funny and completely mad performance as The Doctor.

 

Christopher Lambert.

He has that Alien look about him and that gravelly French/English voice would be perfect for The Doctor. He'd probably the most intense and enigmatic of all the Doctor's if he was ever cast. Check him out in Highlander, if you want to see him at his best.

 

Also off the top of my head;

Martin Clunes (Men Behaving Badly).

Richard O'Brien (The Crystal Maze).

and

David Dixon (Ford Prefect in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).

Edited December 22, 2010 by MonsieurBBrooks

[timelord81r]

im not sure if this is meant in jest or not lol

 

but for me matt smith is an amazing doctor, long live matt smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

other actors, well current id say hugh lurrie would be a good doctor. past would take to long to think about lol, if any spring to mind ill post.

Edited December 22, 2010 by timelord81r

[BigSi13]

No to all six mentioned by the O.P. as they just don't look Whovian enough.

[Avengers7]

Richard O Brien would have been amazing!

[BigSi13]

Richard O Brien would have been amazing!

Maybe back in the Tom Baker days..

[Avengers7]

Hence the words "would have been"

[BigSi13]

Hence the words "would have been"

Hence the words "Maybe back in the Tom Baker days"

 

I specified the time period as I find Richard O'Brien's personality mirrors Tom's. I can't think of any other time period that he would have fitted in.

[Avengers7]

Hence the words "would have been"

Hence the words "Maybe back in the Tom Baker days"

 

I specified the time period as I find Richard O'Brien's personality mirrors Tom's. I can't think of any other time period that he would have fitted in.

 

 

True.

 

At the moment however, I think Benedict Cumberbatch would make a brilliant Doctor.

[timelord81r]

i think if the moffs in charge when the doc next regenerates he will go with an older actor, something he was pushing for before matt blew him away.

but long live matt smith

 

chamberback could be good but would his take be to much like his sherlock character? who knows, ive not seen him in anything else that I remember,

[adriangill]

Hence the words "would have been"

Hence the words "Maybe back in the Tom Baker days"

 

I specified the time period as I find Richard O'Brien's personality mirrors Tom's. I can't think of any other time period that he would have fitted in.

Paul McGann's incarnation struck me as being a bit Richard O'Brien-esque

[MonsieurBBrooks]

No to all six mentioned by the O.P. as they just don't look Whovian enough.

 

Look's aren't too important, it's the performance that matter's. For me Peter Davison has never looked Whovian and he is the most normal looking of all the Doctor's. But he made up for it with his peformance, it was a great piece of casting and the 6 that I mentioned would each give a brilliant portrayal too.

 

David Dixon, Chris Lambert and Ed Tudor Pole certainly look Whovian in my eyes as do the other 3. They have an "out of this world" appearance about them, what's more they have the humour too and can be both funny and serious.

[BigSi13]

No to all six mentioned by the O.P. as they just don't look Whovian enough.

 

Look's aren't too important, it's the performance that matter's. For me Peter Davison has never looked Whovian and he is the most normal looking of all the Doctor's. But he made up for it with his peformance, it was a great piece of casting and the 6 that I mentioned would each give a brilliant portrayal too.

 

David Dixon, Chris Lambert and Ed Tudor Pole certainly look Whovian in my eyes as do the other 3. They have an "out of this world" appearance about them, what's more they have the humour too and can be both funny and serious.

It all comes down to personal taste.

 

I will extend my original comments as you have obviously taken it to be the actual image someone projects with exterior looks. To take on any role, especially as iconic as The Doctor, the person concerned must "look the part" both in looks and projected role. I have seen some excellently acted roles, yet the exterior visual image of the person themselves did not mesh to the essence of the character for me personally.

 

Likewise, I have seen people who just exude a role in visual image, but the acting performance has let them down.

 

To me personally, The Doctor has to be British. That in itself eliminates Christopher Lambert. Patrick Moore would have had a small chance if he didn't have the history he has now. David Dixon just doesn't have the Who Factor.

 

You could go on and on and on. I know many people who dislike Matt Smith because they became entwined with David's Doctor.

 

It is all down to personal taste. Also, for something to be successful and flourish like Who has, then it has to appeal to the masses.

 

I adored Chris Ecclestone when it was rebooted. He brought something modern and new to the table. David took it to another level. He became embroiled in a personal fight between doing what he wanted to do, being taken for granted by many, and realising the power he actually had. He also showed a side to The Doctor that he was not "unbeatable" when he uttered those final immortal words.

 

Matt Smith has brought a little bit of old school Who combined with a modern twist to it. He has an affection for Amy, but stops himself from falling in love because he has the memories of Rose. It is also refreshing for Amy to stay loyal to her man Rory!!!

 

Moff can only come up with the ideas. He can come up with who he does and does not want to hire, but the BBC pay the tab and thus he has to be sensible with all decisions. Will he go older when Matt moves on? Well, he can't really go any younger.

[MonsieurBBrooks]

I completely agree with the "Personal Taste" thing, I'm a fan of all the Doctor's so far, there all brilliant in their own unique way but (like everyone) I find some better than others. Personally I prefer Chris's Doctor more than David's (although I still like the 10th), I just feel that Chris gave an all-round better peformance.

 

Tennant's Acting was excellent (especially in the dramatic moments) but he had an array of catchphrases and tics which were very O.T.T. With the Ninth there was less of the gesticulating and silly energetic high-jinks.

 

Matt Smith is excellent and has given a lot to the character and this recent series has felt a lot more like Classic-Who with a darker twist.

 

Regarding what you said about The Doctor being British, it's not always imperative that he is. After all Sylvester McCoy still had his Argylean brogue when he was playing him and Billy Connolly nearly took over from Sylvester in 1996. We would have had 2 Scottish Doctor's in a row.

 

I hope Moff goes older when looking for a replacement for Doctor 11, there's plenty of great Acting talent to choose from and that's why I decided to create this thread for people to discuss it. Or the Doctor's that could have been.

Edited December 26, 2010 by MonsieurBBrooks

[adriangill]

Regarding what you said about The Doctor being British, it's not always imperative that he is. After all Sylvester McCoy still had his Argylean brogue when he was playing him and Billy Connolly nearly took over from him in 1996. We would have had 2 Scottish Doctor's in a row.

Am I misunderstanding you? Scotland is part of Britain.

[adriangill]

I completely agree with the "Personal Taste" thing, I'm a fan of all the Doctor's so far, there all brilliant in their own unique way but (like everyone) I find some better than others. Personally I prefer Chris's Doctor more than David's (although I still like the 10th), I just feel that Chris gave an all-round better peformance.

I agree with all of that. The 9th Doctor was 'darker' (not a reference to his clothing) and more alien, which I prefer.

[MonsieurBBrooks]

Regarding what you said about The Doctor being British, it's not always imperative that he is. After all Sylvester McCoy still had his Argylean brogue when he was playing him and Billy Connolly nearly took over from him in 1996. We would have had 2 Scottish Doctor's in a row.

Am I misunderstanding you? Scotland is part of Britain.

 

Yes I know I should have explained myself a bit more clearly there. When Simondo said "For me personally, The Doctor has to be British". He was saying that he should be typically English with a clear speaking voice (Like Tom, Peter and Colin), kind of like living up to the stereotypical image of a British gent. At least that's what I thought he said.

 

I was stating that it's not necessarily imperative for The Doctor to be like that, Sylvester proved it when his Doctor became an eccentric Scot. Billy probably would have done something similar to that too, if he had been cast.

 

Matt Smith recently stated that Johnny Depp (an American) would make a perfect Doctor, although he would put on a British accent for the part. An American sounding Doctor would be good I think and something different which I'd be up for.

It would also be a great source for Comedy, imagine a newly regenerated Doctor getting to grips with his new accent or if any old companions returned, the first thing they would do, is comment on his new voice.

The Doctor doesn't necessarily have to be British or act like an Englishman.

Edited December 26, 2010 by MonsieurBBrooks

[BigSi13]

[Yes I know I should have explained myself a bit more clearly there. When Simondo said "For me personally, The Doctor has to be British". He was saying that he should be typically English with a clear speaking voice (Like Tom, Peter and Colin), kind of like living up to the stereotypical image of a British gent. At least that's what I thought he said.

At no time did I mention the word English. I am aware of the history of Doctors, and that is why I said the word BRITISH. Also never mentioned a clear speaking voice, or having to live up to the stereotypical image of British Gent. And no, it is nothing like what I posted.

 

Also, is there a stereotypical British Gent? I know that there is a stereotypical English Gent.

 

So, if you are going to speak for me or quote me, please actually mention what I posted and not what you thought.

 

And, to emphasise what I said earlier..it is down to personal taste.

Edited December 27, 2010 by Simondo

[adriangill]

I just noticed that no-one has suggested a female. Any thoughts? Personally I have always felt that because it didn't happen early on in the incarnations (i..e 3/4) then it would just be weird to change it later on. However it could be used as part of whatever reason they use to get past the '13 limit'.

 

Oh and I am not aware of what was said in SJ to explain there is no limit. I don't watch it. I am curious though.

[MonsieurBBrooks]

[Yes I know I should have explained myself a bit more clearly there. When Simondo said "For me personally, The Doctor has to be British". He was saying that he should be typically English with a clear speaking voice (Like Tom, Peter and Colin), kind of like living up to the stereotypical image of a British gent. At least that's what I thought he said.

At no time did I mention the word English. I am aware of the history of Doctors, and that is why I said the word BRITISH. Also never mentioned a clear speaking voice, or having to live up to the stereotypical image of British Gent. And no, it is nothing like what I posted.

 

Also, is there a stereotypical British Gent? I know that there is a stereotypical English Gent.

 

So, if you are going to speak for me or quote me, please actually mention what I posted and not what you thought.

 

And, to emphasise what I said earlier..it is down to personal taste.

 

Sorry, I got the wrong end of the stick. I wasn't fully sure when I was analysing your post and that's why I added "At least that's what I thought he said" at the end. Again Sorry about that.

 

This discussion has so far raised some good questions on how The Doctor could be portrayed by other actor's. Your absolutely right, it is down to personal taste and that's why it's great to read about other fans views on this as there all mostly going to be different to the last.

Edited December 27, 2010 by MonsieurBBrooks

[MonsieurBBrooks]

I just noticed that no-one has suggested a female. Any thoughts? Personally I have always felt that because it didn't happen early on in the incarnations (i..e 3/4) then it would just be weird to change it later on. However it could be used as part of whatever reason they use to get past the '13 limit'.

 

Oh and I am not aware of what was said in SJ to explain there is no limit. I don't watch it. I am curious though.

 

Well Steven Moffat gave us Joanna Lumley very briefly at the end of "The Curse of Fatal Death", but that doesn't really count. If I ever heard that a female was going to be cast, I wouldn't moan, I'd actually be quite optimistic about it. As you said maybe that's what does happen when he reaches his 13th incarnation, now that would be unexpected. But without the risk of sounding Sexist, it's better if the Doctor is male.

 

It's too late now to introduce a female, if the programme maker's ever considered it back in the 70's or 80's, then they should have done it. In the 60's it would have been a definite "No" from the people involved, as that's how it was back then.

[BigSi13]

The Doctor has become very much a "British Institution" and also a "Male Institution". They managed to pass off the "Doctor Donna", but this had more comedic impact than anything else.

 

For me personally, non-British and non-Male would just not work.

[timelord81r]

The Doctor has become very much a "British Institution" and also a "Male Institution". They managed to pass off the "Doctor Donna", but this had more comedic impact than anything else.

 

For me personally, non-British and non-Male would just not work.

 

I agree, the doctor must always be british and male, you cant make bond a woman, if you want a female bond then do a new character but dont call her bond, the doctor must always be male, would just not work as female. you want a female timelord bring romana back.

 

its fun to mention it as a possibility in the show or joke with it but it must never happen. only a comic sketch would it be ok like curse of the fatal death.

 

american actor playing it for example i could live with if they played it with a british accent ect, like how hugh lurrie does it the other way round in house. perhaps i could live with that.

[adriangill]

you cant make bond a woman

Jamie Bond.... Edited December 28, 2010 by 1of2

[BigSi13]

Hugh Laurie's American accent is hilarious. Must be British to play The Doctor, or at least have a natural British accent.

[adriangill]

I think Anthony Stewart Head would be a great choice either currently or earlier on in his career.