Shropshire Star

Peter Capaldi, Billie Piper and Karen Gillan call for female Doctor

Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Jodie Whittaker are among those rumoured to be in the running.

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Peter Capaldi has said his ideal successor would be an actress

Peter Capaldi and former Doctor Who stars Billie Piper and Karen Gillan are among those who have called for the next Time Lord to be a woman.

Writer Mark Gatiss has also said it is the perfect time for an actress to take on the lead role in the show.

Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker are among the actresses who have been backed for the role.

Jodie Whittaker
Jodie Whittaker (Yui Mok/PA)
Peter Capaldi
Peter Capaldi (BBC)

De la Tour, 72, has a 50-year acting career behind her and is best known for playing half-giantess headmistress Madame Olympe Maxime in the Harry Potter films and landlord Rigsby’s tenant Ruth in 1970s comedy series Rising Damp.

Frances de la Tour
Frances de la Tour (Ian West/PA)

Describing her as a “sassy” option, Piper previously told the Press Association: “She would be amazing.”

Hayley Atwell
Hayley Atwell (Matt Crossick/PA)

“Not through pressure of political correctness but it sort of just feels like it’s time. I think it would just be great.

“The show is not the new kid on the block anymore.

Mark Gatiss
Mark Gatiss (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Gillan, who played companion Amy Pond for two years alongside Matt Smith’s Doctor, has also added her voice to the call, saying: “It would be cool to see a woman in the role one day because a woman could absolutely play that role.”

The 13th Doctor will be announced after the Wimbledon men’s final.

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