List of Actors Considered For The Part of The Doctor - Eleventh Doctor

Eleventh Doctor

According to a Sylvester McCoy fansite, Robert Carlyle was in discussions about the role. British bookmakers William Hill then reported that 85% of bets placed on who would be the Eleventh Doctor were bets for Robert Carlyle. A spokesperson for the company said "At this stage it is difficult to tell if the bets are wishful thinking or based on insider knowledge". Robert Carlyle was no longer being considered for the role as he had been cast in the new Stargate series, Stargate Universe.

Harry Lloyd, who played Son of Mine in "Family of Blood", impressed Russell T Davies with his performance so much that Davies stated that he would be suitable casting for the Doctor (even though Davies himself would not influence the casting of the Eleventh Doctor). Interestingly when David Tennant announced he was stepping down as the Tenth Doctor, Davies did not reiterate his preference of Harry Lloyd as the Eleventh Doctor but instead stated that Russell Tovey should become the Eleventh Doctor. Tovey had appeared in Doctor Who as Midshipman Frame alongside Tenth Doctor David Tennant in "Voyage of the Damned" and then reprising this role in a cameo for the Tenth Doctor swansong The End of Time. Correspondence between Davies and Doctor Who Magazine writer Benjamin Cook on this topic is included in the Davies/Cook book The Writer's Tale.

On 14 October 2008, it was widely reported on many websites that Paterson Joseph was being considered.

On 27 November 2008 an Australian newspaper reported a story hinting that Dutch/Australian actor David Knijnenburg was under consideration for the part. Despite the highly speculative nature of the report, it was neither confirmed nor denied by the BBC or the actor himself and the story was picked up by other sources. Comparatively unknown outside Australia, his appointment seemed unlikely although he was favourably recommended by previous Doctor Sylvester McCoy.

David Walliams was rumoured to be in the race as well.

Benedict Cumberbatch was rumoured to have been offered a role, but later confirmed this was untrue, stating that he had once discussed whether or not to pursue the role should he ever be offered an audition with his friend David Tennant, but had decided against it. He later went on to star in the TV series Sherlock, created by current Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat.

On 3 January 2009, the BBC aired an episode of Doctor Who Confidential that revealed Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor.