Doctor Who: Could Michaela Coel be the next Doctor?

We haven’t quite made it to season 13 of Doctor Who just yet. But we do know that by the end of this season, the thirteenth Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, will be departing.

Of course, these are some big shoes to fill. And naturally, many Whovians are now wondering who will be the next sonic screwdriver-wielding, T.A.R.D.I.S.-flying actor to take the role. One rumor has it that the creator and star of HBO’s I May Destroy You, Michaela Coel, may take over the role. She’s an incredibly talented actress who’s growing more in-demand by the minute, and starring as the Doctor would be the cherry on top for her career.

Coel addressed the rumors recently in a Q&A held by The Guardian. She was asked by a film student if she would ever consider playing the Doctor, and her answer was quite simple: “I never say never to anything. I guess that’s my answer.”

When will the next Doctor be announced?

Of course, Coel would have to keep her answer brief when it comes to something like this. It’s about as secretive as asking someone if they’re going to be the next James Bond or if they’ve been cast in the MCU. Which, coincidentally, it was revealed in July that Coel actually has been cast in the MCU. She’ll be playing a character in the Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever. 

But we’re still likely a few months away from getting an announcement about who’ll play the Fourteenth Doctor. If we’re looking at a timeline, Jodie Whittaker was announced to be the thirteenth Doctor in July 2017. Her first season, season 11, aired in October 2018.

Although, the prior season was special because it began airing in the spring, not the fall. And Peter Capaldi’s final season still had a few more episodes to go when it was announced that Whittaker would take over from him the following season.

All that is to say that we could be getting an announcement about the new Doctor around the time when season 13 is about to wrap. This season will premiere later this year (no exact date has been announced just yet) and will only last six episodes, and that means we’re likely in for an announcement by the end of the year.

So, if Coel were to be cast as the fourteenth Doctor, I’m certain she would play the role perfectly. Every Doctor has their own unique quirk and personality, and I’d definitely think she could bring something great to the table.

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