DOCTOR Who bosses are lining up Matt Smith’s exit for Christmas â€" when he will regenerate into the 12th Time Lord.
Insiders say the festive special will be Matt’s last outing as The Doctor, after a triumphant four years in the role.
The actor has made no bones about his ambition to crack Hollywood and has filmed new movie How To Catch A Monster with Ryan Gosling, which is released next year.
Sources say bosses already have an idea of who they want to replace him, with work on the special due to get under way later in the year.
Matt’s contract is understood to expire in November but we understand he doesn’t want it renewed.
Filming on the 50th anniversary episode, airing in November, will begin next month.
Matt refused to commit to a Doctor Who future beyond Christmas when interviewed on Jonathan Ross’s show last week.
He said: “I am very happy doing it. I do the anniversary special, then the Christmas special. At the moment it’s 2013 and we will see what 2014 holds.†An insider said: “Matt has told bosses he wants to bow out at Christmas.â€
Matt was little known when he signed up for the role in 2009, bagging a £200,000-a-year deal. It’s thought he now earns £1million a year â€" the same as previous Time Lord David Tennant when he left.
Last night, the BBC said in a statement: “Sorry folks but even we don’t know what’s going to happen at Christmas. It’s not been written yet! But Matt loves the show and is to start filming the unmissable 50th anniversary, and the new series starting on Easter Saturday.â€
Below, TV Biz takes a look at who’s in the running to be the new Doctor.
Who's next?
The name's Kinnear ... Rory Kinnear
The first black Doctor? ... David Harewood
Elementary ... could it be Benedict?
Royal appointment ... could Helen be female Doctor?
Older man? ... Alex Jennings would be a radical move
Helen Mirren
THERE have long been calls for a female Doctor â€" and she might fancy Russell Brand as her companion!
Benedict Cumberbatch
THE Sherlock star is a favourite of writer Steven Moffat. He’s been linked to the role. Could he be tempted?
Alex Jennings
AT 55, he might be too old unless bosses want a radical change. He played Prince Charles in movie The Queen.
Rory Kinnear
HIS Bond movie character, M’s chief of staff Bill Tanner, is good in a crisis. Could be handy in the Tardis.
David Harewood
MANY want a black Doctor and after playing CIA boss David Estes in Homeland, he could be the man.
Dying to return
The hands of Time ... Doctor Who's Matt Smith cradles new companion Jenna Louise Coleman aka Clara
BBC
THE Time Lord cradles his new companion Clara â€" as he fears she will die for a third time.
Our pictures show The Doctor (Matt Smith) willing her to survive in the upcoming episode The Bells Of Saint John.
Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) has already died twice â€" as Oswin Oswald during the series seven premiere and as Clara in the 2012 Christmas special.
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