Hugh Grant has dismissed reports that he will be the next actor to play the Doctor, TV’s most famous time traveller, in the BBC’s Doctor Who.
The 61-year-old actor, best-known for starring in British romcom films such as Notting Hill, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, responded to speculation, first reported by the Daily Mirror, that he was in the running to replace Jodie Whittaker.
Grant had played the Doctor in a Comic Relief special in 1999. He was offered the role in 2004, but turned it down.
Whittaker announced in 2021 that she would not play the Doctor again after three special episodes due to air later this year, meaning a vacancy has arisen.
However, in response to a Guardian article about his potential new role, Grant tweeted: “Nothing against Dr W but I’m not. No idea where the story came from.”
Nothing against Dr W but I’m not. No idea where the story came from. https://t.co/g1PG4VsqYN
— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) March 21, 2022
The Daily Mirror had said “conversations [were] in progress” according to a TV insider, after Russell T Davies, who has previously been head writer on the BBC TV series, signed on to return as showrunner for its 60th anniversary.
It has been reported that Davies could turn the series into a “Marvel-like” product, in a reference to the franchise responsible for comic-book inspired films such as Iron Man and The Avengers.
