50 Actors Who Could Play the Next Doctor on Doctor Who

Andrew Scott as “Sherlock’s” villainous Moriarty (Photo: Photo: Courtesy of (C)Robert Viglasky/Hartswood Films for MASTERPIECE)

Andrew Scott

Since Steven Moffat started running things behind-the-scenes at both Doctor Who and Sherlock, both fandoms clamored for the shows to connect with one another. (Seriously. This went on for years.) But what could be more of a connection than actually starring on both? Just think of the fanfiction! It seems unlikely, despite widespread fan longing that Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch or Martin Freeman would ever consider playing the Doctor. (As much as we’d like to think otherwise, they’re both too busy and famous now.) But Andrew Scott definitely might. He’s equally fantastic, but his schedule isn’t nearly as crowded. And he’d be an incredible Thirteen.

Besides Sherlock, you may have seen Scott in several of his other notable roles. He starred in British mini-series The Town, played a Bond villain in Spectre, and wore a different kind of crown as King Louis in the latest installment of Shakespeare series The Hollow Crown, among many other things. He’s also a regular performer on the London stage, and most recently played Hamlet at the Almeida Theater.

But it is Scott’s breakout performance as Sherlock supervillain James Moriarty that is his most surprising, impressive effort. A very nontraditional choice for the role, he gave a very nontraditional performance. His Moriarty is mercurial, wild, over the top and completely ridiculous at times. But he’s also compelling and terrifying. As an actor, Scott is great at making interesting, unexpected choices. His Doctor would be anything but predictable. And that’s kind of exactly what Doctor Who needs right now.