Rory Kinnear isn't interested in Doctor Who

Rory Kinnear has dismissed suggestions that he could take over from Matt Smith in Doctor Who, saying that he's never even watched the sci-fi show.

Rory, 35, has led the betting to be the replacement for Matt, who announced he was leaving his role as the Time Lord last month.

The Shakespearean actor, currently starring in Count Arthur Strong on BBC Two, told The Independent about reports linking him to the show: "I don't know where it came from... I haven't been, and I'm totally certain that I will not be asked to be, the next Doctor Who.

"If I was an actor who was really longing to play Doctor Who then this would be torturous, but it's a programme I've never watched, so I don't even really know what it is."

The star, the son of late comic actor Roy Kinnear, added: "I really enjoy acting. So the idea of doing the same part over a number of years is not something I've longed for."

Last month Ben Whishaw ruled himself out of the running to play the Doctor, saying it would be "wrong" to take the role.

"It's not going to be me. But I don't mind - I don't think you can be Q and Doctor Who! It would be a bit wrong," he said.

Matt's replacement for Doctor Who is expected to be announced in coming months, with the 30-year-old, who has played the role for three series, tipped to bow out after the Christmas special in December.

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.