While Matt Smith’s first season as Doctor was a creative triumph for the long-running series, the show didn’t quite deliver the ratings it did during the David Tennant era.
That has led some bookies in the UK to offer odds that Smith will be out next season as the Doctor and to post odds on who could take over the role next.
Yes, it’s the inevitable who will be the next Doctor story. Here’s the odds:
4/1 David Morrissey
5/1 Chiwetel Ejiofor
8/1 Next Doctor To Be Female
10/1 Patterson Joseph
12/1 James Nesbitt
14/1 Robert Carlyle
14/1 David Walliams
14/1 Richard Coyle
14/1 Tom Ellis
20/1 John Simm
20/1 Rhys Ifans
20/1 Anthony Head
20/1 Julian Walsh
20/1 Jason Statham
25/1 James Corden
25/1 Alan Davies
33/1 Nigel Harman
33/1 Bill Nighy
33/1 Chris Martin
50/1 Steven Fry
50/1 John Barrowman
66/1 Christopher Eccleston
Of course, this doesn’t take into account that the BBC signed Smith to a three-year deal when he took over the role of the Doctor. The series also has a renewal for series six though whether or not we get a series beyond that hasn’t been decided. (Given the ratings for Doctor Who and the audience figures in the UK, it looks good).
Also, the viewing figures don’t take into account time shifting and people watching on-line. Apparently this soccer thing is a big deal and people have been watching it instead of Doctor Who.
Whacko says
who made up these odds? I mean: John Barrowman? he can’t be the doctor, he’s Captain Jack Harkness for crying out loud, even has his own spin-off series.
Jayson says
Matt Smith and Karn Gilliam are both signed on for at least one more season so this speculation is complete crap.
tmw says
Have any of these speculators considered the fact that the ratings were low because other factors? I really like Smith’s Doctor, but thought the pacing of the episodes was really off and wasn’t a huge fan of Amy.
Sam Sloan says
Pure speculation. I am enjoying Smith as the Doctor and with each new episode, he, Gilliam and the writing staff get better and better. The Vincent Van Gogh episode nearly brought tears to my eyes it was so beautifully done. Also, having Bill Nighy portray the art museum curator was a brilliant stroke of casting.
Bronzethumb (from Australia) says
1. Smith has been utterly fantastic, and the BCC would be insane to replace him right now.
2. Every time someone in the Doctor Who production team sneezes the wrong way, bookies come out of the woodwork with odds on who’ll be the next Doctor.
3. The World Cup most definitely skewed the ratings a bit, and the BBC know this. It goes from being a case of “the show got low ratings” to “the show got brilliant ratings, considering when it aired. (the constantly shifting timeslot probably didn’t help either)
4. Every episode of the new series has been the year’s most-watched program on BBC iPlayer, and “Eleventh Hour” was the most watched program EVER.
5. David Tennant’s run picked up huge ratings over the course of four years. And remember, the 2009 episodes were being broadcast months and months apart, so of course they’re gonna have huge ratings, so they don’t quite compare.
VyseN1 says
Over reaction much? Maybe the BBC should do something crazy like, I don’t know, start the show at the same freakin time each week!
Hilsto says
What a depressing headline. Don’t we have that awful Airbender movie to be depressed about instead? I’m still basking in the glow of my favorite season of modern era Doctor Who to date. I don’t want to think about Matt Smith leaving (ever).
Emily says
This is a load of crap. If they actually axed Matt Smith…wow….think of the fan ourage. Ratings are not low because of Smith. Smith is amazing!
Emily says
And David Morrissey as the Doctor? Really? He was already a fake one…He was not very good….
Colin says
I’m very happy with Matt Smith! The BBC would be mad to force him out because of ratings. Lucky for us he’s signed on for more already and these rumors are complete BS!
Although I do like the idea of Chewitel Ejiofer taking over when Matt does eventually leave…
Mic7 says
I doubt they would be replacing him so soon. Matt Smith is okay as the doctor…there just seemed to be a lot more depth to David Tennant’s Doctor than there is so far with Smith’s. That could be the actor but I’m leaning more towards the writing being a little flat…afterall it is hard to create a new Doctor when Tennant’s character was so intense. As for a replacement I always thought James Callis would have made a good Doctor.
Robin says
I don’t know who these bookies are, but they clearly haven’t done the slightest bit of research into these actors’ careers or read any industry news for the past, oh, year. Smith is already signed on for series six, and about half of the actors on that list are either working on other shows or have already appeared in the new Whoniverse as other characters. Utter fail.
Quadro says
These kinds of stories have been hyped by the British news media ever since Patrick Troughton replaced William Hartnell back in the ’60’s. I wouldn’t pay any attention to such nonsense.
Talyn says
When are people going to take online viewing figures into account? I’ve watched all of the new series on iPlayer becuase quite frankly at 6.45pm on a saturday I have better things to do than sit in front of the TV. 3am in the morning however is the perfect time for some Doctor Who on iplayer!
Tammy Smith says
I don’t think that Matt Smith is going to be replaced as the Doctor. It’s those silly British tabloids again. They make up ridiculous things all the time. Don’t pay any attention to them.
Trimonly says
Total utter crap…..if you take the ratings, which are horrible thanks to BBC scheduling the show all over the grid, World Cup, and nice weather in the UK, add in the “DVR” numbers, and top that off with the folks watching on iplayer, you will find the difference is minimal at best, and well within an expected dropoff after a very popular doctor. Strength wise, it was stronger overall than either Eccleston’s season, or Tennant’s first season (Love and Monters, anyone?)…and it just shows how little most people, even in the media, are able to add up viewership numbers in a new media era…sigh…sad really
Emily says
MC7 I liked Tennant. I did not always like the way he was written. He can be in love, but it just got very annoying and heavy handed in series 3. I also think Smith might be a a bit of a better actor, but that’s just me (I think he has more range than Tennant)
Jonathan says
Matt Smith is terrific! And he is just getting started!
Zergonapal says
What are the odds for Matt Smith not being replaced? I want on put all my money on that.
Also a bit left field, but I also want to see a series featuring the Doctors daughter, even if its aimed at the teen demographic I’d still watch it!
darcy says
So….the BBC is just like Hollywood? No clue? Wow if you don’t bring the money honey youre outta door. I didn’t care for him much, but making Captain Jack the Doctor? That’s crazy talk! Get a girl to be the Doctor! Come on, take a chance!
Darcy
VyseN1 says
Check this link out. http://www.denofgeek.com/television/529040/doctor_who_ratings_putting_things_straight.html . Matt Smith is doing very well, thank you very much!!
Laurainamerica says
the cast are signed on for the next three yrs. watch the cofedentials after each epy.I think matt karen are great and lets not forget RORY! great casting love mofat !!
RentGirl1 says
Matt Smith should regenerate BACK into David Tennant.
I am an avid doctor who fan…. that was until matt smith became the doctor.
Doctor Who is incredibly disappointing to watch now. The character, Amy Pond is truly unbearable and annoying. The best thing about the show was when Rory bit the dust.
Doctor Who screaming “geronimo” is ridiculous. seriously? ‘geronimo’?
i tried to give matt the benefit of the doubt, but i can no longer watch matt as the doctor.
I am so pleased that bbc america still airs doctor who episodes with david tennant.
It would be brilliant to have david tennant back as the doctor. A girl can dream can’t she?!!! 🙂
VyseN1 says
Blind David Tennant fangirl alert here. Obviously this person cares more about seeing a certain actor more than the show itself. Different actors playing the Doctor is part of the DNA of the show. If you can’t accept that, then you are no Who fan.
Bill from Albuquerque says
Seems to me I’ve heard this before….that’s because I have, nearly 30 years ago when Peter Davison (Doctor 5) replaced Tom Baker (Doctor 4) who, in my opinion, was a letdown after Jon Pertwee (Doctor 3) and I know there are fans of both William Hartnell (Doctor 1) and Patrick Troughton (Doctor 2) who feel the show wasn’t as good any more when they left. This is normal after each regeneration. The BBC has only moved quickly once that I know of to change Doctors not because of fan pressure but because of higher salary demands (Colin Baker, Doctor 6). Unless the series seriously tanks next year, Matt Smith will be the Doctor for the term of his contract unless he asks to be released from it or he gets the attitude that he should get 10 times the salary of the rest of the show staff combined.
RentGirl1 says
VsyeN1-
Thank you for your interpretation (albiet, incorrect) regarding my post.
Liking one actor more than another, does not make me less of a who fan. But having an actor in a role, who unfortunately, does not bring anything to the “doctor who” proverbial table or, lacks the charisma (his is forced), & talent does damage to a show. The ratings HAVE dropped since the arrival of the regenerated doctor.
I think that Matt’s acting abilities or lack of truly make the show difficult to watch, for me.
Dr. Who is an amazing show. The fact that new actors can be brought into the role ‘by regenerating” is genius.
BILL: thank you for sharing. i enjoyed reading your perspective 🙂
ejdalise says
Not that anyone cares, but as one not overly invested in the show, I agree Smith is a bit on the weak side. Although, the writing and direction have to take some of the blame.
I stopped watching Dr. Who in 1984 (started a business – no time for much TV watching). Tom Baker was OK, but I had no withdrawals symptoms.
A few months ago I started watching again with the Ninth Doctor, and started watching the beginning of the Smith era. It took almost all the season for me to warm up to Eccleston, but warm up I did. I’m into the Tennant years, and have no trouble watching those shows.
Smith and Ami are another matter. There are a number of shows left on my DVR, and I keep passing them up for other stuff. The last episode I watched was Amy’s Choice. I suppose I should force myself to watch the rest of the season. It’s just that I find them both irritating. Add the fact I miss parts of the dialog whenever either of those two speak, and that so far I don’t see what, other than he’s “The Doctor”, makes this Doctor special in any way, and it all makes for some forced viewing on my part.
I take nothing away from those who like him, but I offer up that perhaps it works opposite ways for people invested in the show. Some are receptive to the change because of the history of the show. Others hate it because they got used to Tennant, but are willing to give it a chance because the history they have with the show.
Me? . . . without the emotional attachment others might have, I just don’t see the depth of characters, not to mention stories, to capture my interest. As I stated before, maybe it would be different if I’d kept up with the show all along . . . but I doubt it.
RentGirl1 says
ejdalise!
I, for one am interested in what you had to say about Matt and his performance.
i am glad that i am not the only one who feels that Matt’s “Doctor” is on the weak side.
I too, have some recorded episodes left on my dvr of Matt’s “doctor” and i simply can not watch them!
I like the idea of different “doctors”, and seeing how each actor will put their own spin on the character. And yes, my personal preference is David Tennant as The Doctor. He is exciting and so much fun to watch. But, to me, the casting of Matt Smith is truly disappointing. Amy Pond is annoying, isn’t she?!!!! 😉
ejdalise says
I thought young Amy in the season opener showed great promise as a character, and I don’t think the promise was delivered in the adult version. Both the new Doctor and Amy come across as trying a bit too hard at being witty/campy/serious/capable characters, and while it could be they just have not settled in their roles yet, it’s annoying to watch. Again, some of the blames goes to writing and direction.
The vampires of Venice episode seemed particularly disjointed; the story went all over the place, and the resolution was underwhelming at best. In that show the Doctor and Amy were the weakest characters of the cast. I get they were “out of place”, but in their case it was literal, at least as far as the acting was concerned.
Amy’s choice was just plain boring. Yes, they tried to build suspense, generate conflict between the characters, and introduce a measure of eeriness, but they could not make up their mind how to navigate the plot, and once again the resolution, the ending to the story, left a lot to be desired.
When we discuss what to watch, both my wife and I opt for Season 2 shows over watching the new ones. Since they are both “new” to us, it’s not because of any loyalty to any one actor.
Tom says
I believe that Matt smith and Karen Gillan were bloody brilliant but David tenant will never be forgotten
BATSY says
Personally i like my doctor not to look like a 20 something emo boy. I dont think hes the new Tom Baker. More like the new Colin Baker.
Danny Jay says
David will always be my doctor! i’ve not liked the show as much since he and the ‘crew’ left, such a brilliant line up especially the last few with everyone in them, john simm as the master…..amazingly brilliant. If Smith does leave i will not be sad to see him go, he had some big shoes to fill and hasn’t lived up to it so far. Sure the episodes have been good and the script writers and music have been excellent.
Now if he is leaving to shoot off after a ‘possible’ chance of breaking hollywood, it will show his true feelings towards the show (plus there’s a chance he has been getting stick from the die hard Tennant fans!)
James C says
I am a huge Who fan and have been since the 70s but im afraid to say that if Stephen Moffet continues to be at the helm of Doctor Who and not listen to the viewers, it will not last much longer. I was doubtful about Matt Smith but he could be brilliant as the Doctor if he had better scripts to work with. In one or two episodes, for instance, The Pandorica Opens. He absolutely shone. However, with the dire storys this year he was not given a fair chance to show what he can really do.
I hope that Moffet learns from his mistakes this year and vastly improves Doctor Who for both the Christmas special and series six. Otherwise not only will Matt Smith get the boot, unfairly. But also it will be in serious danger of being ditched. All because Moffet is too stubborn, or arrogant to listen to the opinions of the people that matter. The viewers.
daz says
bradley james
Taylor S. says
I vote Anthony Head. He plays every part he is given quite well, so maybe we can give him the chance to play The Doctor. He would bring in the smart, and very funny aspects of The Doctor. Plus he looks good in suits, (figured i would add that).
D. Dodge says
anybody but Matt smith is fine by me. He may be a decent actor and be great for some people but i cant see him as the doctor so Id be happy with a new actor. He just doesnt seem right for the part imho. It isnt his age, but his cold demeanor and lack of emotion which just doesnt work for me. (also I cant stand the bow tie lol). I think Hed be better off playing a mi:6 agent or a cop investigating murders on a police prodedural etc.
Samuel Sloan says
Eventually we all get replaced by regeneration with a little thing called reincarnation.