Doctor Who series 7 is not due to resume until April, which is just plain depressing. But while we wait for the return of everyone’s favourite time travelling alien we can have some fun. Matt Smith will be with us until at least 2014, but I have been thinking about future Doctors, and who might play them. Here are my Top 5 suggestions (in no particular order) for actors to play Doctor Who.

Colin Firth. This was Kirsty’s suggestion actually. And only because she has a not-so-secret crush on Mr Darcy. But I can actually see Colin Firth as The Doctor, a somewhat bumbling, stuttering good natured take, much like Firth’s character in Bridget Jones’ Diary.

Benedict Cumberbatch. The star of the very good TV series Sherlock, Cumberbatch has the quirky looks, and intense nature of the Doctor. In fact, I think his interpretation of Sherlock was very Doctor Who like, which might have had a fair bit to do with Steven Moffat being a big part of both series.

Jamie Bell. You might remember him from the titular role of Billy Elliot, the boy ballerina. He’s in his twenties now and done a few films, but I could see him portraying everybody’s favourite time lord. There is something about him that reminds me a bit of David Tennant (don’t hate on me Tennant-lovers!).

Eddie Izzard. An older and edgier time lord, that might be a little too racy for Doctor Who‘s primetime slot. But Eddie Izzard would certainly make for a fresh take on the Doctor!

Chris O’Dowd. You might know O’Dowd from The IT Crowd, or the film The Sapphires. He looks a bit “goofy” but is very funny and quite a good actor. I think he could well bring something fresh to the role.

The Doctor has been pretty young and hip in recent years with an increasing number of romance story lines, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see future Doctors going the same way. But I grew up in a world where the Doctor was a distinguished older gentleman, someone you could easily look up to and respect, and I would love to see a return to this.

Actors that almost made the list – Rowan Atkins, Anthony Head (Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Hugh Laurie, and James MacAvoy. Actors that were nowhere near my list – Hugh Grant, Sean Bean, Jeremy Clarkson and anyone who has ever played James Bond!

Do you have a suggestion for a future Doctor? Who do you think would make a good time lord?