Is Hugh Grant the next 'Doctor Who'? Iconic series set to get a 'Marvel-style' makeover
The upcoming season of 'Doctor Who' is likely to get a Marvel-style makeover with Hugh Grant's comeback as the lead. Hugh has been approached to play the 14th doctor to boost the show ratings after current 'Doctor Who' actress Jodie Whittaker, 39, announced her departure as the 13th doctor in July 2021. 'The Four Weddings and a Funeral' actor was approached by screenwriter Russell T Davies, who is taking back control of the sci-fi series for its 60th anniversary in 2023. Davies was responsible for the Doctor's return to television in 2005, following a 16-year hiatus since 1989. He made the series a worldwide hit.
According to reports, Jodie and the current showrunner Chris Chibnall drew only half the viewership during their time together as compared to the Russell T Davies-led version of the program. A TV insider claimed that Davies wants to give a fresh feel to the doctor's character. His idea is backed by BBC Worldwide and Sony Pictures TV executives, who presently have the controlling stake in the show's production firm, Wolf Studios. Davies reportedly aims to create a "multiverse" around the character and plans to expand the show's popularity through spin-offs.
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About casting Grant, an insider stated to the Mirror: “He offers many attributes – great actor, British, award-winning, Hollywood A-lister and excellent at comedy. Conversations are in progress.” Back in 1999, Grant had portrayed the version of the 12th Doctor in a Comic Relief special produced by Steven Moffat. Later, Davies once again offered Hugh to play the main role in 2007 but the actor rejected the offer. Actor David Tennant is also expected to return on 'Doctor Who' for a few episodes. He played the main character in the 10th version of the show and introduced Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor in the year 2010.
Davies is also rumored to change the aesthetics of the show, allowing it more opportunities to spread out with spin-offs. According to the insider, “The vision is that the show can be a Marvel-like product, building franchises around the Doctor and other key characters in his many lives. With the utmost respect to the BBC, in the past attempts like Torchwood were made on a very limited budget in locations around Wales. Now the world is Russell’s oyster.” Season 14 will premiere in November 2023. which is also the 60th anniversary of the show. “I've already written some of the episodes. The first will go out in November 2023 – that's the 60th anniversary of the show," Davies told The Guardian.
Meanwhile, Season 13 finale will run in spring 2022, followed by Jodie's final full-length appearance as the doctor in BBC's centennial celebrations in 2022.