Next Doctor Who Odds: Who will get their hands on the Sonic Screwdriver?

Aside from the position of head coach of the England men’s football team, there is perhaps no other job more hotly-debated in our national culture than that of Doctor Who. The Timelord first hit our screens in 1963, pre-dating colour television and, narrowly, the start of Luke Shaw’s current injury absence.

With reports emerging that current incumbent Ncuti Gatwa is likely to move on at the end of his upcoming second series, the rumour mill is spinning faster than an out-of-control T.A.R.D.I.S.

Betfred Insights brings you a list of the runners and riders who could be the next to pick up that Sonic Screwdriver.

*For our full Next Doctor Who Betting Odds market, head over to betfred.com via the link.

Front-runner Josh O’Connor (5/2) had previous with the sci-fi franchise. The Crown star portrayed Piotr in the 2013 episode ‘Cold War’. But previous appearances in Doctor Who do not preclude an actor from taking the big job. Peter Capaldi, himself an 8/1 for a second spell, played Caecilius in an episode titled ‘The Fires of Pompeii’ in 2008.

Capaldi is not the only previous Doctor in the market to reprise the role. David Tennant (3/1) is the current second-favourite to take the mantle. Tennant has already come back once, returning alongside companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) for a series of specials between the tenures of Jodie Whittaker and Gatwa. 

The Doctor separated in half at the conclusion of Tennant’s arc, meaning that his Doctor and Gatwa’s both exist in the current Doctor Who universe. 

Matt Smith, the popular 11th Doctor, is 8/1 to come back while Jo Martin, who has portrayed the Fugitive Doctor in a number of episodes, is priced at 4/1. The same price can be found for Whittaker too, though it is hard to see her returning in the midst of popular Netflix drama Toxic Town and upcoming ITV series Frauds.

Standouts from the rest of the field include the great Michael Sheen (8/1). The Welsh actor is known for transforming into famous British figures like Brian Clough, David Frost and Tony Blair. Could he morph into his most iconic role yet? Sheen’s close friendship with Tennant means he wouldn’t be going in blind.

James Norton, who played the fearsome Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley is priced at 12/1 while Scottish actor Jack Lowden is 9/2. The outsider in the running is Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander (16/1). The Eurovision star was widely-reported to be in line for the role back in 2021. Alexander played down the talk at the time but he might be worth a punt if Gatwa does move on.

Almost every Doctor Who series toys with the end of the universe at one point or another. But maybe Gatwa’s departure will herald the end of the show’s universe completely. Doctor Who is 10/1 to be axed before 1st January 2026.

I’m sure anyone who has spent some time watching The Doctor fend off the Daleks over the years will hope the show soldiers on. We just need the right incumbent to lead us into a brave new era. Does anyone have Steve Bruce’s number?