Three Actors Rise to the Top of The Whovian Throng In The Competition For the 13th Doctor Slot
By Ani Bundel
The race to play the role of the 13th Doctor in Doctor Who heats up as three actors emerge as clear favorites and betting is suspended.
We’re still over a month away from the debut of Doctor Who season 10, and the beginning of Peter capaldi’s last ride in the TARDIS. But already the betting for who will take over his spot as the mad Man (or Woman) in the Blue Box has reached critical levels.
Over the weekend, Ladbrokes, one of the UK’s major betting houses, suspended all bets on one actor who was favored for the role, due to very sudden very *large* bets being placed on his name. This was the same house that suspended betting on Peter Capaldi days before the official announcement of the 12th Doctor back in 2013. The actor in question? (And yes, it’s a him.)
Kris Marshall, best known for the role of Colin in Love Actually. Not a household name in the US–but then again neither were Capaldi or Matt Smith. (Peter Capaldi was known in nerd circles for In The Thick of It, but was far from a household name.) For those who don’t know Marshall his CV also includes Troy in Death at a Funeral, and DI Goodman in Death in Paradise.
Death In Paradise Promotional image via BBC
But according to the Radio-Times, Marshall is not the only one bringing in serious bets.
"“We are seeing money for the triumvirate of Kris Marshall, Tilda Swinton and Olivia Colman,” said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams. “I wonder if they could be the shortlist.” Tilda Swinton is on at 9/2 with Broadchurch star Olivia Colman at 9/1 with Marshall the favourite at evens."
So don’t despair just yet, fans who are hoping for the first female Doctor to fly the TARDIS. Swinton and Coleman are still in the running.
Next: Here are 13 Actors We Think Can Play the Next Doctor on Doctor Who
But with odds like these, it seems that the smart money says the BBC is indeed looking to return to a safer, younger, more handsome, and above all, white and male Doctor after all.