Other / Richard Douglas / 27 December 2008 /

Patterson Joseph is the odds-on favourite to replace David Tennant but that's not to say he's necessarily got the job. Richard Douglas talks us through Joseph's chances and those of the other candidates for the much-coveted role.

The American electorate have done it, now the Whovians may have to do the same.

Notwithstanding the virtues of Senator John McCain, it was always apparent that the White House was going to be occupied by its first woman or first black man after November's poll.

There was a mood of expectation - perhaps trepidation - across the pond but now a genuine feeling of excitement has taken over ahead of Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20

You wonder if Doctor Who fans will feel the same way if favourite Patterson Joseph ([1.91]) eventually regenerates out of the body of the departing David Tennant next year. We'll find out in the next few days.

The odds on the 44-year-old have come in radically since his fellow Survivors actor Phillip Rhys seemed to let the news slip in a low-key interview promoting his own show on News 24. Joseph's skin colour is by far his most radical feature in this market, otherwise his CV is pretty standard - BBC dramas, bit of Shakespeare and the odd film. He is also known to the Doctor Who team having appeared in a couple of previous shows alongside Christopher Ecclestone.

"I'm afraid I can't make any comment on it," Joseph told BBC News when asked about the odds. "I'm not a gambler. And I don't approve of gambling unless it's for the Grand National."

Best not tell him then if you are going to have something on.

The highly charismatic Bond veteran Colin Salmon ([46]), and Chiwetel Ejiofor ([5.5]), star of Dirty Pretty Things and Children of Men, are also black actors and are also notable in the market.

Some months ago, Russell T Davies, the creator of the modern Doctor Who, said of the colour issue: "The more it's talked about, the more likely it is to happen."

Well, the sci-fi message boards are buzzing right now with Joseph's name firmly in the frame.

Jennifer Saunders ([90]) was an early frontrunner in the female stakes but Catherine Zeta Jones ([60]) has taken over the mantle. Davies has said "she would be great" and there is a little local angle here - the show is filmed in South Wales.

Pembroke-born Rhys Ifans ([50]) is long in the odds given the widespread warmth towards him among the Doctor Who fans - aka Whovians. If Davies wanted to take his new creation in a more comedic route then the BAFTA winner would be a popular choice.

However, despite the unbackability of Joseph, the only indication of the Producer's preference came reportedly in an email after the performance of Russell Tovey ([25.0]) as a midshipman in last year's Christmas Special. Supposedly, Davies wrote: "He is my favourite casting of the lot, because he's going to be huge that man."

The stories surrounding Joseph have taken the edge off the race. That is a shame given the gaggle of talent tucked in just behind.

David Morrissey ([10]) is the most interesting given that he was cast as "the Doctor" in the Christmas special. However he was only a Victorian physician alongside the departing Tennant. Or was he?

Further afield John Simm ([50]) from Life on Mars and Robert Carlyle ([30]) - who is forever Begby from "Trainspotting" to most of us - have all the credentials for the role but no momentum.

Then there's James Nesbitt ([40]) and Richard E Grant ([160]), who would be about as welcome as a wasp in a Cyberman suit for most fans of the show.

At [50], Sean Pertwee is unlikely to get the keys to the Tardis but, speaking last year, the Dog Soldiers actor not only showed the desire but the the self-confidence to take the part. Well more than those laying him on Betfair anyway.

"I'd definitely do it if I was asked and I'd definitely do something in the show such as a guest character." Pertwee said.

"In fact I went to the bookies after a few beers to put a £50 bet on myself, but the guy behind the counter said: 'who the f*** are you?'"

To be honest, Joseph might get the same reaction if the odds are right and he gets handed the electronic screwdriver. Yet the casual observer would have struggled to pick out Tennant from the crowd when he took on the role in 2005.

The modern day Doctor Who has come back with a bang and now is staple Saturday night viewing. But that is down to sharp scripts and keen casting.

Ecclestone and Tennant were cool, clever and charismatic so the next person has a lot to live up too.

And then, of course, there is the added pressure of saving the galaxy every fortnight.

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