Doctor Who Odds: Tennant Frontrunner To Take On Time Lord Role For Third Time
Doctor Who's future is yet to be revealed following Ncuti Gatwa's departure as the Fifteenth Doctor, but an icon of the sci-fi series has made a major market move on betting sites.
In the latest series finale, The Reality War, Ncuti's Doctor exited, only to surprisingly regenerate into former Who star Billie Piper, who cheerily said, "Oh, hello!"
While speculation has since been rife about whether or not Billie is the new Doctor, there hasn't been any confirmation from Who bosses about the time-travelling alien's identity.
An insider told The Sun: "From the moment it was confirmed Ncuti was leaving, bosses have subtly been putting feelers out among the industry for an actor who could play The Doctor."
The publication claimed the role is "now seen as a bit of a poisoned chalice".
However, there will no doubt be plenty of actors keen to take on the iconic part.
A decision is expected soon, with a 2026 Christmas special to film, but who will it be?
Tennant's Who Hat-Trick?
Ever since Billie - who played Rose Tyler, the Doctor's companion, in 2005 - appeared to regenerate into a new Time Lord last year, she has been the frontrunner to be the next Doctor.
However, she has now drifted to 10/11 second favourite on betting apps.
With time running out to shoot the festive special, it is thought she could be used as some sort of placeholder, even if she doesn't land the role full-time.
But, according to The Sun, the singer and actress is not expected to be the new titular Time Lord. So, who is?
Doctor Who Odds: Billie Piper To Be Confirmed As 16th Doctor?
Piper To Be The Doctor? | Odds | Probability |
Yes | 10/11 | 52.4% |
No | 11/10 | 47.6% |
Former Doctor David Tennant is the new 4/6 favourite to take on the role for a third time.
Tennant portrayed the 10th Doctor, with Piper's Rose Tyler as his companion for some of his tenure, and he returned to the show in 2013 to play the 14th Doctor.
It wouldn't be a surprise if he portrayed the 16th Doctor in the upcoming Christmas special, and the rumour mill has been driven into overdrive of late after he recently returned to the Whoniverse.
Tennant is to reprise his role as the Tenth Doctor, whom he played from 2005 to 2010, in a 15-part audio drama from Big Finish Productions.
He said in a statement: "Big Finish makes it dangerously easy - you turn up, have a lovely time, and suddenly you've saved the universe again."
Nicholas Briggs, Creative Director at Big Finish, added: "We're always on the lookout for David to return."
It would be no surprise if Doctor Who bosses were to approach David to make another comeback.
Doctor Who Odds: Who Will Be The 16th Doctor?
Actor | Odds | Probability |
David Tennant | 4/6 | 60% |
Billie Piper | 10/11 | 52.4% |
Erin Doherty | Evens | 50% |
Whoopi Goldberg | 7/4 | 36.4% |
Matt Smith | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Aimee Lou Wood | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Hugh Grant | 3/1 | 25% |
Jo Martin | 3/1 | 25% |
Danny Dyer | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Paul McGann | 4/1 | 20% |
Lydia West | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Diane Morgan | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Stephen Merchant | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Martin Freeman | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Lashana Lynch | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Toby Jones | 8/1 | 11.1% |
David Threlfall | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Nick Mohammed | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Doctor, Are You A Traitor Or A Faithful?
Arthur Darvill knows a thing or two about being in Doctor Who after he portrayed Rory Williams, a companion of Matt Smith's 11th Doctor from 2010 to 2012.
Smith is a 2/1 chance to be the next Time Lord, but Darvill has put several other potential names in the hat to be the next Doctor.
After watching The Celebrity Traitors, he suggested Nick Mohammed (12/1), show host Claudia Winkleman, or even series winner Alan Carr would be top Time Lord choices.
He has also tipped Shameless star David Threlfall (10/1) to take on the iconic part.
Talking to the Radio Times, he said: "David Threlfall, I think, would be brilliant. Yeah, there are loads of brilliant people."
Others who could be in contention include The White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood (5/2), Hollywood actor Hugh Grant (3/1) and Rivals actor Danny Dyer (7/2).
Doctor Who Odds: When Will The Show Be Axed?
Year | Odds | Probability |
2025 | 2/1 | 33.3% |
2026 | 3/1 | 25% |
2027 | 4/1 | 20% |
2028 | 5/1 | 16.7% |
2029 Or Later | 7/1 | 12.5% |
But will there be much more Doctor Who left to come?
In November, Russell T Davies said he hadn't yet written this year's Christmas special, and with no concrete updates at the time of writing, it's just 2/1 that Doctor Who is shelved later this year.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
Who would you like to see as the next Doctor? Give us your thoughts in the comments below!
