Listen to the RadioTimes.com Doctor Who podcast: Meet the (almost) Doctors
We delve into a world of Sliding TARDIS Doors as we uncover the actors who almost took on the role of the Doctor.
Many different actors have taken on the role of the Doctor in Doctor Who, forever associating their careers with the BBC sci-fi drama – but what about the actors who could have taken the top job?
Over the years, plenty of famous faces have been close to (or even offered) the chance to play the Doctor, but for whatever reason didn’t pick up the TARDIS keys and let someone else take the gig – and in this week’s RadioTimes.com Doctor Who podcast, we’re wondering what might have been.
Could Brian Blessed’s plans for the Second Doctor have been a complete car crash? Was Richard Griffiths twice denied the chance to craft a wonderful Doctor? Is Hugh Grant right to regret turning down the role that went to Christopher Eccleston, and was Chiwetel Ejiofor really almost the Eleventh Doctor before Matt Smith?
Listen on to find out just how many big names almost took on the acclaimed role, as well as those Doctors who missed out on their chance the first time round only to land the role later on.
Plus, we delve into the tricky process of creating a unique Doctor Who performance, and wonder why so many actors weave their own public persona into the fan-favourite character.
Want more Doctor Who chat? Check out last week's podcast about The Fugitive Doctor, and what we can expect from Jo Martin's new Time Lord in season 13.
From next week, our Doctor Who podcast will be available on multiple formats including Acast, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Or, you can check out previous episodes on the RadioTimes.com YouTube channel.
Doctor Who Revolution of the Daleks comes to BBC One in late 2020/early 2021. Want something else to watch? Check out our Radio Times TV Guide.
Authors
Huw Fullerton is a Commissioning Editor for Radio Times magazine, covering Entertainment, Comedy and Specialist Drama.
