While speculation continues as to who will be replacing Peter Capaldi in the lead role of ‘Doctor Who’, Scottish actor Alan Cumming has revealed that he was previously approached for the role – twice – but there was a deal-breaker that could not be overcome.
Alan, now a global star due to his role in TV show ‘The Good Wife’, has often cropped up in discussions about potential new Doctors, but he revealed during an interview for Listowel Writers’ Week in Ireland that he was previously approached to play him.
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It's a shame - he would be perfect
Mike Pont via Getty Images
Although he didn’t say when the conversation happened, it was with “that lovely Welshman”, presumably Russell T Davies, who originally rebooted the show back in 2005, so it sounds as though it was pretty early on, before Matt Smith, and perhaps even before David Tennant inhabited the iconic TV role.
Discussions appeared to be going well, until, as Alan remembered, he was told: “You’ll have to come back to Britain.”
Alan, who has been longtime based in New York where he has made a successful career on Broadway, remembered: “I said, ‘Sure, I still have a flat in London, it’d be perfect.’
But…
“Then he said, ‘It’s eight months of the year in Cardiff…” And I said, ‘What?’
“And I think that might have been what blew it.
“Nothing against Cardiff, but…”
According to Alan, the same thing happened more recently, when he encountered one of the show’s writers Mark Gatiss. Alan revealed:
“He had heard of this [previous discussion], and he said, ‘Would you like to be Doctor Who now?’
“I said, ‘Fine, I’d love to, but they [previously] told me I’d have to go to Cardiff for eight months of the year ‘ and he said, ‘Oh no, you’d still have to do that.’
Alan explained: “I’d do anything for Doctor Who, but I won’t do that.”
Speculation as to who will replace Peter Capaldi at the end of this year continues, with the identity of the 13th Doctor as yet unknown. The most recent name in the frame belongs to ‘The I.T. Crowd’ star Richard Ayoade.
Who Will Replace Peter Capaldi In 'Doctor Who'? All The Rumours So Far...
Kris Marshall(01 of10)
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Honestly speaking, the former 'My Family' actor is probably the horse we'd be putting our money on.
Not only is he the bookies' favourite for the job, various sources have claimed that producers want him to follow on from Peter Capaldi, and he mysteriously stepped down from 'Death In Paradise' around the time the Time Lord vacancy opened up. (credit:Venturelli via Getty Images)
Ben Whishaw(02 of10)
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But, of course, the most obvious solution isn't always the right one.
'James Bond' actor Ben Whishaw (who plays Q in the spy saga) was among the names initially linked with the job, although it's been a long time since we've seen his name linked with taking on the role.
Whether this is because he's ultimately not been chosen or because the BBC is trying to keep things secret remains to be seen. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Richard Madden(03 of10)
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An insider told The Sun earlier this year: "[Richard] will be high on the list of potential replacements when the formal casting process gets under way.
“He’s very different to Peter, obviously a lot younger, but part of the appeal to regenerating the Doctor every few years is to reinvent the character." (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Frances De La Tour(04 of10)
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When departing Time Lord Peter Capaldi was asked for his choice for the role, he not only said he wanted a woman to get the gig, but also gave Frances as his top pick.
With predecessors like Matt Smith, David Tennant and Christoper Ecclestone, we'd be intrigued to see what the 'Vicious' actress brought to the iconic role of the Doctor. (credit:Julian Parker via Getty Images)
David Harewood(05 of10)
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Another name bookies have repeatedly thrown out, David has said he thinks it's time that a BAME or female actor take over the lead role in 'Doctor Who'.
Admitting it was "nice to be in the running", he told the BBC: "It needs to do something different, so I think it's either going to be a black person or a woman. It would just bring a different flavour to it." (credit:David Crotty via Getty Images)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge(06 of10)
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As the discussion about whether it's time for a woman to take charge of 'Doctor Who' continues, Phoebe's is a name that has cropped up repeatedly.
The 'Fleabag' creator spoke about the rumours in May, saying it would be a "great time" for a woman to land the job, adding: "There are so many great actresses out there who I think would kill it." (credit:Rabbani and Solimene Photography via Getty Images)
Olivia Colman(07 of10)
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Similarly, Phoebe's 'Fleabag' co-star Olivia Colman has also been linked with potentially succeeding Peter Capaldi.
One of Britain's leading TV stars, former Doctor (and her 'Broadchurch' co-star) David Tennant added that she'd be "a magnificent choice" for the part. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
David Bradley(08 of10)
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David previously starred as William Hartnell - the actor behind the First Doctor - in the 2013 biopic, 'An Adventure In Space And Time'.
When quizzed about rumours he'd be taking over the role of the First Doctor again, he teased (via the Birmingham Mail): "Who knows? You didn't hear it from me, that's all I can say." (credit:Albert L. Ortega via Getty Images)
Damien Molony(09 of10)
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Damien was named by 'Doctor Who' writer Toby Whithouse as a "terrific" choice to take over the role, and he'd certainly work amid claims producers are hoping to recruit a younger, David Tennant-esque star. (credit:John Lamparski via Getty Images)
Chiwetel Ejiofor(10 of10)
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In the same interview in which Damien's name was mentioned, Bafta-winner Chiwetel was also suggested as an "ideal choice" for the part.
Series writer Toby Whithouse told Digital Spy that he'd be "terrific" as the Thirteenth Doctor. (credit:Albert L. Ortega via Getty Images)