Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor looking shocked in Doctor Who
By
Craig Elvy
Published 24 minutes ago
Craig began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016 and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. After previously writing for various outlets, Craig's focus turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally became useful. Craig has previously been published by sites such as Den of Geek.
Craig is an approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-elvy-5b31a3381/
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
Doctor Who's regeneration line used to be a simple thing, but ever since David Tennant grew a clone of himself, things have gone a little wonky. We've had metacrisis Doctors, we-don't-talk-about Doctors, Timeless Child Doctors, recycle-old-face Doctors, bi-generating Doctors, and after Doctor Who season 15's ending, companion cosplay Doctors.
At time of writing, Billie Piper is, technically, Doctor Who's main actor after emerging from the golden glow of Ncuti Gatwa. Clearly, however, stealing the form of an old companion is not normal, so questions remain over whether Piper is playing the true Sixteenth Doctor, or if she's even playing the Doctor at all. With confusion abound, thoughts naturally turn to who might play the next permanent incarnation of Doctor Who's Time Lord.
After Billie Piper, Mathew Baynton Should Be Doctor Who
Mathew Baynton in Ghosts
Some actors possess the immediate aura of an action star. Some have the perfect physical presence to play villains. Other actors you look at for the first time and immediately think, "They'd be great as Doctor Who." Mathew Baynton is one such actor.
Best known for Ghosts, Baynton's highest-profile releases have come as part of the Them There comedy troupe, with a canon that includes Horrible Histories, Yonderland, Bill, and Ghosts, the last of which has gone on to receive a hugely successful U.S. adaptation.
Principally a comic actor, it seems obvious that Baynton would have no trouble portraying the lighter side of the Doctor, infusing his iteration with amusing quirks, social awkwardness, and physical hilarity. All of that is very much on display in Baynton's most successful projects.
Across his career, however, Mathew Baynton has also developed a knack for period roles, both comedic and dramatic. While the Doctor isn't necessarily a period character, many incarnations have reveled in that old-fashioned Victorian vibe: William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee, Paul McGann, and even Matt Smith to an extent. Baynton could craft a character somewhere between the clownish notes of the Second Doctor and the goofy side of Eleven.
Of course, a good Doctor Who needs more than laughs and joviality. They must feel comfortable carrying big, meaty monologues and at times possess the gravitas of an emperor. Fortunately, Mathew Baynton's talents go beyond comedy. His role as a murderer in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder felt secretive and guarded - nothing like the Doctor, but a demonstration of the actor's dramatic nous nonetheless. Meanwhile, a dual performance as twins Ariel and Jamie in You, Me and the Apocalypse highlighted Baynton's versatility as he switched between amusing and intense.
When Could We Actually See Mathew Baynton As The Doctor?
The Doctor regenerating as Billie Piper in Doctor Who
The time frame for hiring a new Doctor Who actor remains unclear. The next episode will air in December 2026 as Doctor Who's latest Christmas special, and will presumably feature Billie Piper in the title role. The BBC has also confirmed that a full series will follow in due course, but hasn't given any indication of whether Piper might stay at her post that long.
Given her history as Rose Tyler, it seems improbable that Billie Piper would play the Doctor long-term. More likely, she'll keep the seat warm over Christmas before handing her sonic screwdriver to a full-time replacement. As such, the earliest we could see a new Doctor, Baynton or otherwise, would be the end of 2026's Doctor Who Christmas special after Piper regenerates (assuming it's a normal regeneration).
With over a year to go, Russell T Davies and the BBC have enough time to cast the new Doctor and plan their next steps. And with Baynton already familiar to the corporation after the BBC aired both Horrible Histories and Ghosts, he'd only be one phone call away from the Doctor Who gig.
335
7.3/10
5/10
Doctor Who
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-PG Drama Adventure Science Fiction Release Date May 11, 2024 Network BBC One Directors Alex Pillai, Peter Hoar, Ben Chessell, Julie Anne Robinson, Jamie Donoughue, Amanda Brotchie, Dylan Holmes Williams Writers Steven Moffat, Pete McTighe, Kate Herron, Inua Ellams, Juno Dawson Franchise(s) Doctor Who / WhoniverseCast
See All-
Ncuti Gatwa
The Doctor
-
Millie Gibson
Ruby Sunday
Expand
Collapse
-
Doctor Who
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
1 day ago
The 16 Best Christmas Books (By Trope) Releasing In 2025 To Read This Holiday Season
1 day ago
Anne Hathaway Is A Pop Star Haunted By Demons In The Mother Mary Trailer, A New A24 Horror Musical
1 day ago
Netflix Users Can Download A 10/10 Video Game Free Today
1 day ago
6 Years Later, Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan Settle Divorce Battle Over Magic Mike Earnings
More from our brands
How Old Are the Main Characters in Each Season of Stranger Things?
37 Shows on Netflix That Couples Can Binge-Watch Together
The 25 Best Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now
25 Best R-Rated TV Shows of All Time, Ranked
Every 'Doctor Who' Christmas Special (Including 2024), Ranked
Doctor Who Is In Trouble, And David Tennant Can Save It
There Are Always Rumours That Doctor Who Is Getting Cancelled, But Maybe This Time It Should Be
Trending Now
The Apothecary Diaries Is Going to Be Anime’s Next Live-Action Hit
Octopath Traveler 0: All Locked Chest Locations (& How To Open Them)
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Trailer Sees Ralph Fiennes Trying To Cure The Rage Virus
