It's time for the new "Doctor Who" to be a woman, according to Helen Mirren and John Barrowman.
"Arrow" star Barrowman -- who played Captain Jack Harkness on "Doctor Who" and in its spinoff "Torchwood" -- said it's time for a female actress to take on the iconic role. “We’ve had great guys playing the role. The character of River Song was so popular in the last part of the series and it [had] such an impact -- why shouldn’t we have a female doctor?” Barrowman told ITV's "Daybreak." "Give it a whirl. If it doesn't work, she can always regenerate --she can always regenerate back to a man. I’ve been there -- I’ve watched them do it."
Mirren also suggested a woman take on the role -- just not her. “I’m not going to be the first female 'Doctor Who.' No, no, no. Absolutely not, I absolutely wouldn’t contemplate that ... but I do think it’s well over-time to have a female 'Doctor Who' ... I think a gay, black female 'Doctor Who' would be best of all,” Mirren told "Daybreak."
When asked about the new "Doctor Who" star being a woman, Jenna Coleman, who plays the Doctor's newest companion, said, "I'm not opposed to it. It's about story ideas and what works."
Current "Doctor Who" star Matt Smith is leaving the popular crossover series after the annual Christmas special this year. "Somewhere out there right now -- all unknowing, just going about their business -- is someone who's about to become the Doctor," "Doctor Who" showrunner Steven Moffat said in a statement when Smith's departure was announced. "A life is going to change, and 'Doctor Who' will be born all over again! After 50 years, that's still so exciting!"
Barrowman has gone on record saying he wants to do a spinoff with his character and River Song ("ER" veteran Alex Kingston). Barrowman said when he and Kingston met, they decided their two characters needed to be together. "We got a glass of champagne and started talking about how it would be great if River and Jack -- actually, she said River and Jack should have their own TV show," Barrowman said.
"Doctor Who" returns for its 50th anniversary special on Saturday, November 23 on BBC America.
