Over the weekend, Maisie Williams was honored at the Evening Standard British Film Awards as its 2016 “Rising Star.” Although technically she won it on the strength of her performance in The Falling, interviewers on the red carpet and during the post-event scrum were far more interested in her television work. For once, it wasn’t just all about Game of Thrones, either, as Williams successfully branched out last year for a season-long arc guest starring spot in Series 9 of Doctor Who.
The big news in that other franchise, of course, is that Steve Moffat, the showrunner since 2011, will be stepping down after Series 10, which the BBC announced is slated to air in the Spring of 2017. And although star Peter Capaldi hasn’t said one way or the other if he’ll be staying on, it’s been generally understood ever since he was cast that he would leave when Moffat did. The speculation regarding who will play the new Doctor has already started, even though its another full year until the next season. Many want to see a female Doctor, or a Doctor of color, both possibilities Moffat set up over the last two seasons. Williams, who played the role of an immortal girl on the show last season, was asked at the red carpet if she might be interested in throwing her hat into the ring. Her response?
Yes it would be cool but right now I’m locked into some other things. I think a female doctor would be incredible.
Locked into some other things? Does that mean that Williams is already committed to Game of Thrones Season 7? Remember, the interviewer is not asking about a part she’s going to start filming this year. They’re asking about a part that would start filming *next year.* That could mean that Williams thinks she’ll be locked in for not just Season 7, which will film later this year, but also Season 8, which will film in 2017. It’s hard to imagine what she could already be locked down in for this far ahead of time other than Game of Thrones.
For the record, Williams endorses Idris Elba for the role of the Doctor, but says if everyone insists and she has to take one for the team, she would do the part.