io9: eleventh doctor

Could This Be The New Doctor's Assistant?

Graeme McMillan — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 PDT

Another week, another candidate to accompany the new Doctor in his new Tardis. But, unlike some earlier candidates, Hannah Murray may be a more believable choice to travel through time on a television budget.

Murray may not be as familiar a name as other actresses linked to the role of companion when Stephen Moffat takes over Doctor Who next year (including singer Lilly Allen and former Smallville villainess Kelly Brook), but that may be in her favor... as is the her familiarity with British TV audiences through the drama series Skins. UK tabloid the News of the World claims that the decision is all but made:

Han's been locked in secret chats but my BBC insider said: "Hannah did some challenging stuff in Skins and they see her as an up-and-comer. The Beeb want to keep this ultra-secret."

Well, as ultra-secret as something leaked to a newspaper can be, of course...

I Know Who [News of the World]

And The New Doctor Is...

Graeme McMillan — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:00:33 PST

The BBC has announced the name of the actor who'll take over the lead role in Doctor Who next year, following David Tennant's departure this year. Let's just say that it's not who we expected.

26 year-old Matt Smith will be the eleventh Doctor, starting in 2010's fifth season along with new executive producers Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger. The announcement was made on a special episode of the BBC's Doctor Who Confidential series, although noted rumormeister Rich Johnston broke the news via Twitter an hour earlier.
Smith, who's starred in television adaptations of Philip Pullman's

The Ruby in the Smoke

and

The Shadow in the North

alongside Billie Piper, has been known more for his stage work in the past, appearing in The History Boys and Swimming With Sharks (alongside My Own Worst Enemy's Christian Slater) in London's "glittering" West End.
Smith came out of nowhere to become the bookie's favorite for the role just today, which tipped many off that the role was his. How does Smith feel about taking on such an iconic role? Excited, and baggy-eyed, apparently:

New Doctor Who Star Could Be His Own Worst Enemy

charliejane — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:23:00 PST

Could the Master be the new Doctor? That's what one newspaper is claiming. John Simm, who danced rings around David Tennant as the psycho arch-villain, is the "hot favorite" to play the Doctor when Tennant leaves. But it's unclear how the show could get around the fact that we saw Simm's body being cremated:

If Simm is to return in any guise, the show's writers would either have to explain his resurrection or add him in another way. And if he is indeed to return as the Doctor, an even more ingenious explanation will be required to account for his transformation from the Timelord's sworn enemy to the central character himself - unless, of course, their facial similarities are entirely glossed over.

Actually, the original Doctor Who already showed a Time Lord (Romana) regenerating into the doppleganger of someone she'd recently met. Maybe the Doctor's subconscious guilt that he couldn't save the Master will drive him to take on his face? A reality check is in order, however: it's probably way too early to be casting the next Doctor, since Tennant is set to play the role through 2009. But we can dream. In other news, Captain Jack will be in Doctor Who season four.

John Simm Tapped To Be New Doctor Who [IC Wales]