Hugh Grant 'Doctor Who' Rumors Leave Fans Aghast: 'Worst Choice Possible'

Doctor Who's passionate fanbase has a lot to say about the possibility of Hugh Grant taking on the role of the Doctor.

The British sci-fi show has been on the air 1963, with 13 actors permanently taking on the role as the last remaining Time Lord. Current Doctor Jodie Whittaker has confirmed she'll exit the show at some point in 2022, leaving the door open for a new actor, potentially Grant, to take on the role.

According to British newspaper The Mirror, Doctor Who is set for a "Marvel-style makeover" with Grant reportedly in talks to join the long-running franchise.

While nothing has been confirmed yet, Doctor Who fans took to the internet to share their strong emotions about the casting.

Some, like @Lucasfilmgirl, couldn't believe the suggestion, and she made her feelings about Grant abundantly clear. "He's a slimy, sanctimonious, rich, woke, condescending old bumbling idiot. Worst choice possible." She plainly wrote.

The role of the Doctor in Doctor Who has often been played by an emerging talent, and Twitter user @David_Ioan wants a return to that tradition, rather than a big name like Grant. He said, "Give me someone who is largely unknown but good at acting, or is a secretly rabid Doctor Who fan, and good at acting every time. Just like the last 13 or so."

Current Doctor Whittaker was the first woman to take on the role, while Jo Martin, a Black actress, also recently played a version of the Doctor.

@FrostyMacWHO thinks casting 61-year-old Grant may send the wrong message. "If they cast a white man as the Doctor right now, it would come across as admitting defeat, admitting a woman CANNOT be the Doctor," they said.

While some fans voiced their concerns, many many more expressed their delight at the possibility of the Notting Hill actor taking on the role.

"I feel like I'm the only one who thinks Hugh Grant would be a great choice for the next Doctor," said Twitter user @TharriesYT, but luckily they weren't alone in their assessment. @batmanmarch confirmed he'd fully support Grant as the famous Time Lord, "Hugh Grant would be an amazing Doctor. He's got my vote." while @SupesKenobi thought that Grant had the charm and commanding authority for the role.

Many pointed out that Grant's stardom may pull in new viewers to the show. @DoctorLongscarfwrote, "Hugh Grant would be great in the role and would bring a HUGE amount of mainstream attention to Doctor Who."

Others however thought the suggestion was just too good to be true. "Hugh Grant as the 14th Doctor? Would love it to happen but I just can't see it being true. He's too big a name," said @StarWhovian.

While the suggestion of Grant in the role of the Doctor may seem fresh to some, many Doctor Who fans were quick to point out that it's a role he's played once before. In a 1999 charity special for Comic Relief, he starred alongside Rowan Atkinson, Richard E. Grant and Joanna Lumley in Doctor Who: The Curse of Fatal Death.

Previous actors to have played the lead role in Doctor Who includes Matt Smith (The Crown), David Tennant (Jessica Jones) and Christopher Eccleston (28 Days Later). Before bowing out as the 13th Doctor, Whittaker will appear in the role in another special episode, "Legend of the Sea Devils" in April 2022.