Hugh Grant is in secret talks to play Doctor Who in a daring BBC move to rebuild ratings.
The Four Weddings And A Funeral star is being wooed by screenwriter Russell T Davies, who is returning to run the flagging show.
A TV insider said: “Russell wants him to bring a fresh feel to the role. He’s an award-winning actor, Hollywood A-lister and excellent at comedy. Conversations are already in progress.”
David Tennant is thought to be returning for a couple of episodes, after reuniting with Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi for a special.
Davies will take over in time to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary next year.
Sources claim he hopes to build a “multiverse” around the Doctor, spreading the show’s attraction through spin-offs.
His vision is said to be backed by BBC Worldwide commercial chiefs and Sony Pictures TV bosses, who bought a majority stake in independent production company Wolf Studios, which makes the show.
An insider said: “The vision is it can become a Marvel-like product, building franchises around the Doctor and other key characters.
“Doctor Who would be the centrepiece but spin-offs offer more opportunity. Russell will want greater resources and finances to expand the Doctor’s universe.”
Davies was responsible for Doctor Who’s revival in 2005. He left in 2009 to be followed by Stephen Moffat, then Chris Chibnall. But ratings have dived.
This year Jodie Whittaker’s last shows as the 13th Time Lord will air before she and Chibnall depart.
The 60th anniversary is touted as the “first steps” towards getting the show back in the public eye.
The insider added: “The new Doctor will then be unveiled in 2024.”
In 1999, Grant played the lead role in a Comic Relief special by Moffat. But he turned down an offer from Davies to star as the ninth Doctor in his 2005 revival. In 2007, Grant said he regretted his decision. He admitted: “It’s only when you see it on screen, you think, ‘Damn, that was good. Why did I say no?’”
There has been speculation in recent months that actors Danny Dyer or Michael Sheen could become the new Time Lord. The BBC declined to comment.
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