Did Martin Clunes turn down Doctor Who?

You can take this with a pinch of salt, but it would have made for interesting casting nonetheless. The Daily Mirror has picked up a story that, rather than David Morrissey being the first choice for last year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, The Next Doctor, that it was actually Martin Clunes who was first offered the part.

Clunes, who appeared in the, er, ‘classic’ Peter Davison episode Snakedance, was reportedly approached about a role, and this has since been confirmed by the actor’s agent. The Doctor Who production office is remaining tight-lipped on this, meanwhile.

The Mirror’s report suggests that not only was Clunes first choice for casting in The Next Doctor, though, but that he would also have been in line for the role of the 11th Doctor. We’re not sure we buy that at all, although we could easily warm to the idea of Martin Clunes in the Tardis.

The report then suggests that the deal broke down a few days before filming, in a dispute over money. Clunes’ agent denies that’s the case.

29 January 2009