TLFSAG: Doctor Who, exactly?

As for Hurt, I said "grandfatherly air", which meant he seemed wise in the manner an older person would. For example, he must have some war stories, right?

You mean like this: http://youtu.be/tebTGIddPDk

When Hurt takes the role ITTL he will be about the same age as Peter Davison was and only a couple of years older than Matt Smith.

If you want some-one with a grandfatherly air and war stories, you might do better with Clive Dunn:

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Cheers,
Nigel.
 
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No, its Clive Dunn aka Corporal "They don't like it up 'em" Jones (from Dad's Army). He also played a character called Grandad in a BBC series based on a Ronnie Barker character from Seven of One a series of one off half hour programmes in 1973 (which also led to Porridge and Open all Hours).
 
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5th Doctor - John Rhys-Davies

Rhys-Davies had attracted the attention of producers after his performance in the TV adaptation of I, Claudius. The actor appeared to be set up as a back-to-basics approach for The Doctor, leaving behind O’Sullivan’s satire elements and arming the character with an intellect beyond our earthly minds. Rhys-Davis’ portrayal also harked back to the days of Blessed and Hurt, using the characters knowledge for barbed quips and brilliant deus-ex-machina problem solving.

While he may have possibly been an amalgamation of those before him, Rhys-Davies made the role his own. Writers had to work overtime as the actor demanded the character show of more and more alien knowledge. The 5th Doctor was certainly carved himself out as an intellectual powerhouse, however, one that didn't sit well with producers. After the previous Doctor’s antics, Rhys-Davis’ Doctor appeared to be slowly sliding back towards Hurt’s vindictive narcissism. It was this, coupled with Rhys-Davies’ nagging at writers, that strained the latter’s relationship with producers...

Nonetheless, #5 is remembered fondly as “The Professor” amongst Whovians, due to his tendency to school anyone in his path. He also was the first Doctor to engage in a game of cricket (during "Black Orchid"), of which he refereed to as "the greatest game in the universe".
 
I love the idea of BRIAN BLESSED as Doctor Who
imagine that Scene

A darlek on run, squeak "emergency", "emergency", "Danger!", "Danger!"
around corner comes a Battle axe with a bearded Time Lord attach to it
COME BACK AND FIGHT YOU COWARDLY TIN CAN !!!


what about Richard O'Brien either as doctor
or as Davros he would be perfect for that
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Alternate Doctors

Let's throw in a few actors that were actually considered or contacted:

Leslie French and Cyril Cusack were both asked by Verity Lambert before she saw William Hartnell in "This Sporting Life"

Sir Micheal Horden was asked to take over from William Hartnell.

Bernard Cribbins and Ron Moody were alternates to Jon Pertwee.

Barry Letts looked at quite a few actors before Tom Baker got the gig - Micheal Bentine was rejected as he wanted to write as well as star, Fulton McKay got cast as Mr McKay in Porridge so had to turn it down. The "Mr Pastry" guy was asked but was showing early signs of dementia.

After Colin Baker was sacked, both Ken Cambell and Tony Robinson were screen tested but Sylvester McCoy got the part. Ken Campbell would have been fantastic!


BTW, throw in some alternate producers:

Sydney Newman asked Don Knight, who turned it down flat. Rex Tucker left fairly early on too, although came back to direct "The Gunfighters" in 1966.

Douglas Camfield was considered after Peter Bryant and Derek Sherwin were moved to work on the co-production of Paul Temple with the Germans, but was passed over in favour of Barry Letts.

George Gallacio was asked after Graham Williams left, but turned it down as he thought it was John Nathan Turner's gig.
 
Richard Griffith was considered at some point also whilst Geoffrey Bayldon was offered the part but turned it down. He'd later play "Catweazel" for ITV.

On audio, Big Finish released a series called Doctor Who Unbound, with other actors in the role, including David Collings, David Warner, Geoffrey Bayldon and oddly, Arabella Weir. Plus some no mark called David Tennant as the Master. :)

My own favourites for the role would have been Robert Powell and Samuel West.
 
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