Iconic Doctor Who companion reveals his picks to play the next Doctor – including Riot Women star
The Rory Williams actor has had his say.
Doctor Who legend Arthur Darvill has revealed his top picks for the next Doctor – and won't someone get Andy Pryor on the phone?!
The Reality War, the last episode of season 15, saw Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor regenerate into returning star Billie Piper in a twist that will hopefully be explained in this year's Christmas special.
But Piper has never been credited or referred to as the new Doctor, leading everyone to wonder if there's more going on with her role, including fellow former companion Darvill.
While the Rory Williams actor said Piper taking over the role would be an "extraordinary move", he had some suggestions for if another actor is cast when sitting down for an in-depth interview for Radio Times' Doctor Who Insiders.
"There's so many," he told us. "Lorraine Ashbourne, I think, would be amazing. Nick Mohammed, I think, would be amazing."
Joking, he added: "Alan Carr would be amazing – it’s just because I’m watching Traitors at the minute!"
"David Threlfall, I think, would be brilliant. Yeah, there's loads of brilliant people. Mawaan Rizwan would be incredible," he went on to say.
And, of course, with a new Doctor must also come a new companion.
Asked whether he has any advice for the next actor to take on the role, Darvill added: "Just enjoy it. It's such a gift of a show to be on.
"I think about this a lot because it's such a mad idea. It's really sci-fi and really detailed, and has its own law and its own rules and its own amazing fandom who care so much about it and it's this really specific type of British television."
"I can't think of another example that does what this does, because it manages to straddle that sci-fi thing with being also Saturday night TV," he pointed out.
"It shouldn't work as an idea, but it does. It works so brilliantly well. And, when you're on the show, I think the only thing you can do is try and enjoy it as much as possible, because there's nothing else like it, and every script's completely different.
Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google.
"As a companion, you will spend a lot of time just saying the word 'Doctor' and standing in the background, and that's fine, but when you do get to do stuff, it's going to be really exciting, brilliant, challenging stuff, and you have to take it as seriously as any other job and any other role and immerse yourself in it.
"But it's just so much fun. So yeah, my advice for anyone is just enjoy what you're doing. It's really easy to get bogged down in all the stuff that we actors have to complain about, but it's such a gift."
Arthur Darvill's full interview will be published later this month.
Missing Doctor Who? Register now for Radio Times's Doctor Who Insiders club for exclusive interviews with Doctor Who legends every month.
Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
