Death In Paradise star Kris Marshall is new Doctor Who favourite
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The race is on to succeed Peter Capaldi and become the 13th Doctor, but just who (get it?) will win the famous part?
The big mover over the last 48 hours is Kris Marshall, following the 43-year-old’s announcement that he’s stepping down from his popular role in Death In Paradise.
That news saw a host of bets on the former My Family star, and Marshall has tumbled from 25s into 3/1 favouritism.
Marshall’s role as the wacky and zany Nick Harper in the BBC One sitcom leads few in any doubt that he could pull off the role as the iconic Doctor with aplomb.
But the Bath-born actor is only the second-best backed name in the betting.
That’s because the most bets so far have been placed on 5/1 shot Olivia Colman becoming the show’s first female lead.
Eagle-eyed viewers and fans will have noted a number of clues in recent weeks, including a teaser from the BBC featuring Time Lady Missy.
A third of all bets in the market have been placed on Colman becoming the new Time Lord.
And those who have backed the Golden Globe winner will point to one very good reason why they have done so – Broadchurch.
Colman produced a starring turn in the Dorset-based crime show, which was created and written by Chris Chibnall.
And guess who is the new full-time show runner for Doctor Who’s next series? Yep. Chibnall.
It’s that connection which has our traders placing Colman ahead of Maxine Peak, should the show choose to go with a female Time Lord for the first time.
Other contenders include James Bond and London Spy star Ben Whishaw at 10/1,while IT Crowd legend Richard Ayoade is the same price.
With filming scheduled to begin this summer, we shouldn’t have to wait too long before we discover who becomes the next Doctor, with the number 13 about to become very lucky for someone.
Click here for our full Next Doctor Who betting market.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
