The Next Doctor speculation thread. (Spoilers, and sadness, inside.)

[paintballworker]

Personally I'm no longer shocked when actors leave Who. I liked Smith, I weathered the storm that was Tennant leaving. I'd like to see how they handle The Valeyard and the fact they are nearing the end of the Doctor's regenerations.

[KatherineB]

William Hartnell was the oldest (and first) doctor, and there was no creepy factor with him. Then again, his first two human Companions were married.

Oh, I agree! Sorry, I should have specified that I was talking about in the current era when there is a lot more awareness (perhaps too much) of the dangers associated with younger women/older men.

[Cobrabubbles]

My husband made a point of calling me at work so he could tell me and help me through my grief about this before I saw it on FB. I really liked 9, 10, & 11 each for different reasons and I will miss Matt. I'm sure they'll handle the regeneration and subsequent new doctor the same way they have in the past, wonderfully.

[Sapphire Silk]

I think Hurt would be a) too easy and b) a little too old/creepy to have travelling round with the young girls that tend to be part of Who folklore. I really hope it's a relative unknown, as were Smith and Tennant when they began.

And I'm with the Tennant fans, but I had also come to like Smith a lot more than I ever expected I would.

I liked Tennant, but no where near as much as Smith.

William Hartnell was the oldest (and first) doctor, and there was no creepy factor with him. Then again, his first two human Companions were married.

I do find Hurt to be a bit creepy just on general principles. I always thought he made a better villain than hero. I keep seeing Adam Sutler from V for Vendetta.

[AccountingDrone]

I like Smith, but I'm not as upset with him leaving as I was Tennant. But that's me.

As for the next Doctor, he or she should be a ginger at least

Ginger woman would be great

[KatherineB]

I think Hurt would be a) too easy and b) a little too old/creepy to have travelling round with the young girls that tend to be part of Who folklore. I really hope it's a relative unknown, as were Smith and Tennant when they began.

And I'm with the Tennant fans, but I had also come to like Smith a lot more than I ever expected I would.

[Seraph]

I like Smith, but I'm not as upset with him leaving as I was Tennant. But that's me.

Agreed, but I'd finally started to really like him.

[Kheldarson]

I like Smith, but I'm not as upset with him leaving as I was Tennant. But that's me.

As for the next Doctor, he or she should be a ginger at least

[Sapphire Silk]

Well, this sucks.

He's my favorite Doctor ever.

And I would have to hear this while I'm watching a DW marathon on Netflix starting with the first Matt Smith episode.

[Jester]

This is why I never read celebrity or entertainment news.

[firecat88]

I would like to see a bit of a repeat of what they did with Matt. Someone who, unless you've seen his or her (because, you never know, the next regeneration might be a woman) work prior to Who, is an unknown. The potential problem with a big-name actor like Cumberbatch or even Freeman is that they are too...known. They come with the baggage that is their more/most popular roles.

[Seraph]

So with the horrible, horrible announcement from BBC today....who do you think the next Doctor will be? Who do you think would make a fantastic Doctor?

I know the big theory right now is Hurt, but...seems too obvious for me. There's gotta be a twist to this.

I'd dearly love to see either Freeman or Cumberbatch be the Doctor, but they're both tied up with other shows and movies...so I don't see that happening.