Doctor Who bosses see Olly Alexander’s It’s A Sin co-star Omari Douglas as frontrunner to replace Jodie in iconic role

A LITTLE-KNOWN 27-year-old is the frontrunner to take over from Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who. Omari Douglas made his TV debut in Channel 4 drama It’s a Sin earlier this year — created by returning Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies. Writer Russell was previously in charge of the BBC One sci-fi show from 2005 […]

A LITTLE-KNOWN 27-year-old is the frontrunner to take over from Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who.

Omari Douglas made his TV debut in Channel 4 drama It’s a Sin earlier this year — created by returning Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies.

Writer Russell was previously in charge of the BBC One sci-fi show from 2005 to 2010.

He cast Christopher Eccleston then David Tennant in the title role having worked with them on earlier projects.

A TV insider said: “Omari 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 and David get the sought after role.

“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.”

The show, about the Aids crisis of the 1980s, was a huge hit when it aired in January and went on to win the New Drama gong at the National Television Awards.

Omari, from Wolverhampton, played an ostentatious gay man called Roscoe Babatunde.

He is also about to star in the West End revival of Cabaret with Jessie Buckley and Eddie Redmayne, before making Midas Man, a biopic of The Beatles mogul Brian Epstein.

Jodie, 39 — the first female Doctor — is stepping down as the 13th Time Lord after four years.

She will be seen regenerating into the new Doctor in the last of three specials planned for next year. The BBC declined to comment.

Alamy

Alamy