Hugh Grant ‘Doctor Who’ Rumors Leave Fans Afraid: ‘Worst Choice Possible’

Doctor Who is passionate fanbase has a lot to say about the possibility that Hugh Grant will take over the role of Doctor.

The British sci-fi show aired in 1963, with 13 actors permanently taking over the role as the last remaining Time Lord. Current doctor Jodie Whittaker has confirmed that she will be leaving the show sometime in 2022, leaving the door open for a new actor, potentially Grant, to take over the role.

According to the British newspaper The Mirror, Doctor Vienna is set up for a “Marvel-style makeover” with Grant, apparently in talks to join the longtime franchise.

Even if nothing has been confirmed yet, Doctor Vienna Fans took to the internet to share their strong emotions about the casting.

Some, like @Lucasfilmgirl, could not believe the suggestion, and she made her feelings about Grant superfluous. “He’s a bad, sanctimonious, rich, awake, condescending old bumbling idiot. Worst choice possible.” She wrote clearly.

The role of the doctor in Doctor Vienna has often been played by an emerging talent, and Twitter user @David_Ioan wants a return to that tradition, rather than a big name like Grant. He said: “Give me someone who is mostly unknown but good at acting, or is a secret rabid Doctor Vienna Fan, and good to act every time. Just like the last 13 or so.

The current Doctor Whittaker was the first woman to take over the role, while Jo Martin, a Black actress, also recently played a version of the Doctor.

@FrostyMacWHO thinks casting 61-year-old Grant could send the wrong message. “If they now cast a white man as a doctor, then it would be a defeat, admitting that a woman can NOT be the doctor,” they said.

While some fans expressed their concerns, many more expressed their joy over the possibility Notting Hill Actor takes over the role.

“I feel like I’m the only one who thinks Hugh Grant is a great choice for the next doctor,” said Twitter user @TharriesYT, but fortunately they were not alone in their assessment. @batmanmarch confirms that he fully supports Grant as the famous Time Lord, “Hugh Grant would be an amazing doctor. He has my voice.” while @SupesKenobi thought Grant had the charm and the commanding authority for the role.

Many have pointed out that Grant’s stardom may draw new viewers to the show. @DoctorLongscarfwrote, “Hugh Grant would be great in the role and would bring a HUGE amount of mainstream attention Doctor Vienna“.

Others, however, thought the suggestion was just too good to be true. “Hugh Grant as 14th Doctor? Would like to happen, but I just can not see that it’s true. He’s a big name,” he said. @StarWhovian.

While Grant’s suggestion and the role of the doctor may seem fresh to some, many Doctor Vienna Fans quickly pointed out that it was a role he had played once before. In a 1999 Charity Special for Comic Relief, he starred alongside Rowan Atkinson, Richard E. Grant and Joanna Lumley. Doctor Who: The Curse of Fatal Death.

Previous actors have starred in Doctor Who starring Matt Smith (The crown), David Tennant (Jessica Jones) and Christopher Eccleston (28 days later). Before coming out as the 13th Doctor, Whittaker will appear in the role in another special episode, “Legend of the Sea Devils” in April 2022.