Unlikely star could be next Doctor Who as fans call on producers to give BAFTA winner role

An unlikely TV veteran could be the next Doctor Who should producers listen to fan requests. The BAFTA winner has since confirmed he would be interested in the role, and would want to bring a "working class" background to the long-running television character. Fans were delighted when familiar face Billie Piper appeared as the next iteration of the Time Lord.

Her casting as the titular Doctor follows on from Ncuti Gatwa's departure from the series. But a new star for the role could come from a BAFTA winner whose work on EastEnders, as well as films like The Football Factory and Run For Your Wife.

Whether Danny Dyer's wish of portraying the Doctor is granted is yet to be seen, but fans are hopeful the star will be given the chance.

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Dyer said: "It’s such an iconic thing to do. It’s almost – not on the same level – like James Bond. It gives you an opportunity with Doctor Who, because of the nature of the work, to bring something left-field, something a bit mental, a bit stylised, which I love. I love the idea of it."

Fans seem to be on board for the "incredibly working-class Doctor Who" Dyer would bring to the screen. A post to the r/DoctorWhoNews Reddit page saw fans discuss the possibilities for the actor.

One fan wrote: "Honestly, I dig it. It could never happen as the BBC and Bad Wolf need to save face but I'd love a series of Comic Relief /Children in Need sketches where they put a variety of ill-judged castings in the role and they all smash it.

"You could make a solid comedy about the weird choices and misjudgements of the last few years of the show."

Another user suggested people forget Dyer is a credible actor, and that his CV of roles fits the bill for what producers may want from a future Doctor Who star.

They wrote: "People have forgotten he’s actually a bl**dy great actor, really watchable. Let’s not forget one of the most celebrated British playwrights, Harold Pinter, thought Dyer was so unbelievably talented he continuously cast him in all his productions. That’s a glowing seal of approval.

"Now’s he’s just won a BAFTA for Bigstuff (a part written for him by Luke Rattigan from series 4). He’s absolutely sensational in Rivals with David Tennant. I honestly can’t see why he wouldn’t be a brilliant fresh bit of casting.

"Any other actor with cult hits and accolades like that we'd be clawing for."

Not everyone was convinced by Dyer in the lead role, with a few detractors sharing their kneejerk reaction was a "no" to the suggestion.

But even they have warmed to the idea of Doctor Dyer. One fan wrote: "He's not the best actor, but Doctor Who isn’t Shakespeare. Maybe this wouldn’t actually be that bad." Another viewer added: "F**k it, why not?"