Have BBC Ruled Out Casting A Female to Replace Peter Capaldi As the Doctor?

Early on in 2017, Peter Capaldi announced he would be stepping down as the iconic role of the Doctor in the hit #BBC series Doctor Who after 4 years. #PeterCapaldi made his debut appearance in the show when Matt Smith regenerated 25th December 2013. Since Capaldi revealed he is resigning, fans have started speculating who will replace the current Time Lord.

Bookies didn't hesitate to place odds on certain celebrities the minute Capaldi revealed his departure. First odds were placed on Ben Whishaw to take on the legendary role, until bets were placed on Tilda Swinton taking on the role, and becoming the first female Doctor on the show. But has a female Doctor now been ruled out by the BBC themselves?

A Male Actor In His 30s Is the Main Target

At this moment in time, it is reported that the BBC are ruling out a female to replace Capaldi, as it is rumoured that incoming showrunner, Chris Chibnall, is currently looking for a "dashing male actor, in his 30s".

If you’re considering a flutter on who the next Time Lord might be, you’d be best to put your hard earned cash on a bloke. But – as we reported back in November – BBC bosses are firmly committed to recreating the glory days of the David Tennant era, so have set their sights on finding a dashing male actor, in his thirties. - The Daily Mirror

When asked about being in charge of casting the 13th Doctor, Chris Chibnall never actually ruled out the idea of making the Time Lord regenerate into a female, but does not currently have anything set in stone yet.

"We'll cast the role in the traditional way. We'll write the script, then go and find the best person for that part in that script. You couldn't go out and cast an abstract idea. Nothing is ruled out but I don't want the casting to be a gimmick and that's all I can say." - Chris Chibnall

Peter Capaldi returns to BBC One for his final #DoctorWho series on Saturday 15th April at 7:20pm, alongside brand new companion Bill Potts, played by the actress Pearl Mackie, aged 29. With the new series just around the corner, catch the latest trailer for series 10 above.