Doctor Who bosses ‘eyeing up It’s A Sin star Omari Douglas’ to replace Jodie Whittaker

Could Omari Douglas be taking over Jodie Whittaker’s role as the Doctor? (Picture: Channel 4/BBC)

Doctor Who bosses are said to be eyeing up It’s A Sin star Omari Douglas to replace Jodie Whittaker as the Time Lord.

Speculation is rife as to who will be taking over the coveted role as Jodie and showrunner Chris Chibnall prepare to bow out, and the 27-year-old is the latest actor to have their name thrown into the ring.

Omari starred in It’s A Sin, the acclaimed Channel 4 Aids drama from Doctor Who’s returning showrunner Russell T Davies, earlier this year.

Insiders claim he is the ‘perfect candidate on so many levels’ including the fact that ‘the BBC said they’d prefer the Doctor to be played by a non-white actor.’

‘He has also struck up the kind of close working relationship with Russell that helped Christopher [Ecclestone] and David [Tennant] get the sought-after role,’ the source continued to The Sun.

‘And although he’s not quite a household name yet, he’s proved he’s a great actor with a memorable performance in It’s A Sin.’ 

Omari played Roscoe in Russell T Davies’ acclaimed drama (Picture: Channel 4)

Omari isn’t the only It’s A Sin cast member rumoured to be Jodie’s replacement, with Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander also tipped for the role.

While many fans are holding out hope for Olly to be announced as the next Doctor, this summer his manager shut the rumours down, stressing once and for all that they were not true.

She said: ‘Even though Olly is often contacted by Cybermen, I’m afraid I have to exterminate this speculation.

Olly Alexander had also been tipped for the role (Picture: Getty)

‘As nice as it is to see interest in this story regenerate, it just isn’t true.

‘As ood as it might sound, Olly is focusing on his music, for the time being.’

Jodie, who’s played the 13th Doctor since 2017, and showrunner Chris will leave together in 2022 after Doctor Who: Flux and three specials, as part of a ‘three series pact’.

In a recent interview, the actress said that she considered staying on for longer while filming the third series. 

‘There was a point where I was definitely like, “Uhh, I don’t know,”’ she told Entertainment Weekly.

More: Doctor Who

‘We started this [season] and I was like, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to be able to commit to this decision.’

Jodie added: ‘Wonderfully, going into it, it didn’t feel like either of us were being held to our own conversation. It was still very much, between me and him, a very active conversation.’

Metro.co.uk has approached BBC and a rep for Omari for comment.

Doctor Who airs on Sunday at 6.15pm on BBC One.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.