Hugh Grant addresses the rumours about being ‘in talks’ to play Doctor Who

Virgin Radio

22 Mar 2022, 10:12

It seems Hugh Grant won’t be picking up the Sonic Screwdriver any time soon. 

The Love Actually star is setting the record straight after rumours started swirling that he would take over from outgoing Doctor Jodie Whittaker. 

Jodie is stepping down after three series as the time-traveller, and while other big names are in the running, it was Hugh’s involvement that got everyone talking. 

But alas, the Notting Hill star has squashed the rumours with a simple tweet, dashing the dreams of Whovians everywhere. 

Sharing an article about the potential casting, Hugh simply replied: “Nothing against Dr W but I’m not. No idea where the story came from.”

Hugh was responding to comments made in The Mirror, in which a TV source divulged how the BBC are looking at new ways to revamp the long-running sci-fi series, and one of those things is having  a ‘Marvel-style makeover’ with Hugh at the helm. 

A TV source told the publication that returning showrunner Russell T Davies is looking for Hugh to ‘bring a fresh feel’ to the coveted role. 

They said: “He offers many attributes – great actor, British, award-winning, Hollywood A-lister and excellent at comedy. Conversations are in progress.”

It didn’t seem too out of the realms of possibility though, as Hugh once played a version of the Doctor in a 1999 Comic Relief special, and Russell then offered him the role in 2007, but the Paddington 2 star turned it down.

Back in 2007, Hugh even said he regretted not landing in the Tardis, and told Digital Spy at the time: “I was offered the role of the Doctor a few years back and was highly flattered. The danger with those things is that it’s only when you see it on screen that you think, ‘Damn, that was good, why did I say no?’ But then, knowing me, I’d probably make a mess of it.”

Returning showrunner Russell was responsible for the show’s revival all the way back in 2005 following 16 years off-air, and it satisfied a whole new generation of fans.

Steven Moffat took over in 2009, and then Chris Chibnall ushered in a new era with Jodie Whittaker leading the space adventure.