The early favourites to replace Jodie Whittaker on Doctor Who have been revealed.
It follows reports that Jodie will be leaving her title role on the BBC show at the end of the next series.
My Family and Death in Paradise star Kris Marshall has been installed as 3/1 favourite with Betfair to takeover.
With Whittaker having been the first female Doctor, the two joint second favourites are both women, in the form of Shameless actress Maxine Peake and Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer, both at 8/1.
Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal is 10/1, while Happy Valley’s James Norton is 14/1 and Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge at 16/1, along with Hollywood star Tilda Swinton.
And after the success of the critically-acclaimed I May Destroy You, Michaela Coel is 20/1 to become the Time Lord.
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Whoever replaces Jodie Whittaker will have a tough act to follow – the Huddersfield actress having won the hearts of Whovians across the world.
“But the betting suggests that in Kris Marshall at 3/1, someone who has been linked with the famous role for years before Whittaker was handed the part, there is a favoured choice to get the top job.
“The likes of Tom Rosenthal and James Norton have been spoken about before as well – but if the producers decide to stick with a female doctor, Maxine Peake and Natalie Dormer as joint 8/1 second favourites could be shrewd picks to make the Tardis their home for the foreseeable future.”
Next Dr Who odds from Betfair
Kris Marshall: 3/1
Maxine Peake: 8/1
Natalie Dormer: 8/1
Tom Rosenthal: 10/1
David Harewood: 11/1
Vicky McClure: 12/1
James Norton: 14/1
Phoebe Waller-Bridge: 14/1
Richard Rankin: 16/1
Tilda Swinton: 16/1
Jenna Coleman: 20/1
Michaela Coel: 20/1
For now, the next series of Doctor Who featuring Jodie Whittaker will air on BBC One later this year.
Picture: BBC