Rory Kinnear – The New Doctor Who?

Bleeding Cool is reporting that UK paper The Telegraph is running a story that the BBC has offered the part of the 12th Doctor to Skyfall‘s Rory Kinnear.

According to the Telegraph article’s author, Richard Eden:

“He has been offered the part and we are waiting to hear if he will accept,” says my man in the Tardis. “He is the perfect choice.”

The 35-year-old alumnus of St Paul’s School, George Osborne’s alma mater, is the son of Roy Kinnear, the celebrated actor.

He played the MI6 officer Bill Tanner in Skyfall and Quantum of Solace, the James Bond films, and won acclaim for his stage performances in productions of Othello, Mary Stuart and Hamlet.

However, tweets Dr. Who producer, Ed Starling:

Don’t believe what you read about the new #doctorwho being announced this weekend. I think it must be Starburst getting a bit over-excited!

— Ed Stradling (@edstradling) June 8, 2013

Steven Moffat says this morning “I haven’t a clue who it is, we’ve barely started.” So no #doctorwho announcement this evening I fear!

— Ed Stradling (@edstradling) June 8, 2013

Hmmm. A vote in Kinnear’s favor, at as far as I’m concerned, is that he’s at least a bit older than Matt Smith. As an old school Doctor Who fan, I worry that the rampant fan growth among the 18-25 set under Smith will lead to a series of increasingly younger casting choices possibly resulting in the eventual casting of Justin Bieber or a fetus.

However, Stradling did have some interesting things to say about how Smith was cast in Doctor Who in the first place.

1/2 On the #doctorwho casting, remember inspiration can come from anywhere. In 2008 Steven wanted a 40+ actor to replace David Tennant …

— Ed Stradling (@edstradling) June 8, 2013

2/2 then Matt Smith auditioned for Dr Watson in Sherlock. He was wrong for Watson but perfect for DW, so he cast him anyway despite his age

— Ed Stradling (@edstradling) June 8, 2013

@groundhopuk but they didn’t cast him on day 1. They were looking for someone older. But nobody was as good. So they cast him anyway.

— Ed Stradling (@edstradling) June 8, 2013

I would say that perhaps the BBC needs to consider casting a wider net. If Moffat wants to continue to capitalize on the success the series is having in the United States, maybe he should look at other British actors who have successful careers Stateside. Rumors have already thrown around names like Tom Hiddleston and Russell Brand, who mostly likely are doing too well with their movie careers to step into a television commitment.

I think they should consider Eddie Izzard, who continues to work in both television and movies, and is coming off a great guest run on the television series Hannibal. Accused of, as well as sometimes believing that he might be, the Chesapeake Ripper, Izzard brought dark humor and a sense of controlled danger to the role of a doctor who finds it easier to kill his wife and family, rather than go through divorce. These are qualities that I found were lacking in Smith’s portrayal, but that were present under Christopher Eccleston and, even, in David Tennant’s run. I’d like to see them make a return, especially with John Hurt taking a brief stint with the character in the Christmas special this year.

Besides, if Izzard got a shot at the role, perhaps he could right the flaws he outlines in the series, as detailed in his 2008 stand-up special.

He might be excited to learn that not only can Daleks get up and down stairs now, they can even fly! Companion as hostage still can be a problem from time to time though. Come on, BBC. Make this casting happen!