Olly Alexander rules himself out of race for Tardis, but names Omari Douglas as top pick for Time Lord

Omari Douglas, bookies’ favourite to become the fourteenth Doctor Who, 6-4, has been named top pick by a previous frontrunner and co-star.

It’s A Sin star Olly Alexander, who was once the favourite to taken on the Time Lord role, has now ruled himself out of the race for the Tardis, after telling the PA new agency: “I’m definitely not going to be the Doctor but it’s going to be so amazing Russell’s Doctor.”

Speculation around the Years & Years star taking on the role began when Russell T. Davies announced he would return to the BBC sci-fi series as showrunner to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023.

Although William Hill still has Olly Alexander as 4-1 for the fourteenth Doctor, the singer and actor has revealed his own favourites for the role, confirming that he is “definitely backing Omari Douglas”.

Rising star Omari Douglas is 6-4 to become the fourteenth Doctor Who, with the hit show’s bosses reportedly courting the 27-year-old rising star.

As reviews vary over the recently finished miniseries Flux – with some saying Chris Chibnall’s writing had risen from the ashes – speculation is rife as to who will take over the coveted role with Jodie Whittaker preparing to bow out.

Not until after the New Year special, of course, titled ‘Eve of the Daleks’, which will air on BBC One on New Year’s Day, with star appearances from comedian Aisling Bea and film director Adjani Salmon.

After wowing audiences in his TV debut as Roscoe Babatunde in It’s A Sin at the start of this year, William Hill has Douglas at 6-4 to replace Whittaker in the iconic role.

Douglas graduated from Arts Educational Schools, London, in 2015, is best known for his work in Wise Children (2019), Midas Man (2021) and It’s a Sin (2021), and is currently starring in Constellations at the Vaudeville Theatre opposite Russell Tovey, which opened to rave reviews.

Douglas fits the bill, having worked with the sci-fi’s returning showrunner Russell T. Davies on the Channel 4 drama earlier this year. Davies, who was in charge of the hit show from 2005 to 2010, previously cast ninth and 10th Doctors Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant in the title role.

But Douglas isn’t the only It’s A Sin cast member to be heavily linked with the role, as there has also been much speculation about Years and Years and It’s A Sin star Lydia West, who was recently cut to 5-2 favourite.

Good Omens and Prodigal Son star Michael Sheen – recently voted as the fans’ choice for the high-profile vacancy – is the other blockbuster name at 3-1, while I May Destroy You creator and star Michaela Coel has been cut to 5-1 after saying ‘I never say never to anything’ when addressing Doctor Who rumours.

Xena: Warrior Princess actor Lucy Lawless joins another Years and Years star, T’Nia Miller, at 9-1, who has already played a Time Lord in the BBC series. Kiwi actor and comedian Rose Matafeo sits at 14-1 alongside Games of Thrones actor Hannah John-Kamen.

Whittaker, who has been the thirteenth Doctor, and the first female lead, since 2017, will leave in 2022 after the New Year special, Eve of the Daleks, and three specials next year.