Danny Dyer eyes up major BBC role as he shares hopes for ‘working-class Doctor Who’
Danny Dyer has spoken about the idea of him fronting a new season of Doctor Who, with ideas on exactly how he’d play the role of a Time Lord.
Despite not having been approached to play the role yet, the EastEnders actor, 47, would love a “working-class” Doctor Who on our screens.
“It’s such an iconic thing to do,” he explained. “It’s almost – not on the same level – like James Bond. It’s a character that’s loved by so many.
“Again, it gives you an opportunity with Doctor Who, because of the nature of the work, to bring something left-field, something a bit mental, a bit stylised, which I love – I love the idea of it.” (sic)
He proudly admitted his portrayal of the Doctor would be “incredibly working-class”, jovially adding: “Yeah, maybe a but alpha.”
“You’ve hired me for a reason – I don’t think you’d want me to come in and play Doctor Who, you know, really posh.” he said.
Doctor Who is a family Sci-Fi show that has been running on the BBC for over 60 years; it was rebooted in 2005 after a hiatus, fronted by Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper.
The role has since been reprised by Rivals star David Tennant, The Crown royalty Matt Smith, and Peter Capaldi, who played the fictional anti-hero Malcom Tucker in BBC The Thick of It.
It follows the adventures of a Time Lord and their companion through time and space in a spaceship called the Tardis.
In 2017, Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker succeeded Capaldi as the first woman to ever play the role.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a working-class Doctor Who, have we? Well, Jodie Whittaker, she brought a bit of that to it.”
Although the Bafta-winning actor recognised that playing the Doctor and understanding the show’s rich 62-year history sounded like hard work.
“Some of the dialogue he’s [Ncuti Gatwa] got, he’s got big monologues, talking about s**t you don’t understand.”
“I’ll be honest, no one’s ever approached me about it, but I see things now and again, my odds have been slashed to this, that and the other – it’s definitely something I would consider.”
Dyer won his first Bafta for TV comedy “Mr Bigstuff” earlier this year, and now he returns to his prize-winning role for the second series of the Sky original show.
Mr Bigstuff tells the story of two chalk and cheese brothers – Glen, played by the show’s creator Ryan Sampson, and Lee, played by Dyer, who struts unannounced back into his brother’s life carrying their father’s ashes.
The raucous show explores themes of family, masculinity, and the challenges of navigating personal demons.
Several EastEnders alumni feature in the comedy, including Linda Henry, who plays Dyers’ on-screen mum, Shirley Carter.
Dyer is currently starring in Disney+ Rivals, alongside the 10th Doctor, David Tennant.
The actor who plays Freddie Jones in the saucy Disney+ show, reassured fans that they do not need to worry about the new season failing to live up to the success of season one.
He told Radio Times: “I can’t reveal much, but what I will say is that we’ve got no issues with the old second album syndrome.
“I’ve been blessed with a lovely character. He’s not the lead and he doesn’t need to be the lead, same as Katherine (Parkinson) who plays love interest, Lizzie Vereker.”
Rivals season two started filming in May, and is expected to be released early 2026.
Mr Bigstuff returns for season two on Thursday, on Sky Max and NOW.