Michaela Coel, star of the Netflix series Chewing Gum is the latest front runner to replace Peter Capaldi as the adventurous Time Lord on Doctor Who. Thank you, Nerdist, for reporting the news and giving us a wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey headache.
Earlier this week, Monkeys Fighting Robots reported that Kris Marshall had been cast as the 13th Doctor, having already begun filming. While Marshall may have a role in the final series for Capaldi and Steven Moffat, it might not be as the next Doctor.
If this news is true, however, Coel would not only be the first female Doctor, she would be the first Doctor of color as well. Coel recently had a breakout role as the star, writer, and producer of the Chewing Gum, which is currently streaming on Netflix.
Time Lords and Time Ladies can swap genders and races. In the sixth series, Melody Pond’s “Mels” transformed into River Song. Last series we saw a Time Lord general go from a white male to a black female. And, of course, there’s also the Master, who regenerated into Missy.
As of now, BBC have said officially that no casting for series 11 has taken place.
It is difficult to not speculate and gravitate towards any news regarding who next pilot the TARDIS. However, we should all appreciate Peter Capaldi’s performance as the Doctor, and see how his final adventure unfolds.
Regardless of who the next Doctor is – be them young or old, white or of color, male or female – the casting should be more about what the actor can bring to the table as the Time Lord. Can they portray those common character elements that make the Doctor the Doctor, while bringing their own flair? That is what matters most.
