The actress, who lives in South Oxfordshire, first came to widespread attention in the late 1990s as Dr Elizabeth Corday in the American medical drama ER.

She went on to win a new generation of fans as River Song in the BBC’s sci‑fi series, appearing in the show between 2008 and 2015.

Playing the Doctor’s enigmatic wife, Ms Kingston acted opposite three different incarnations of the Time Lord as portrayed by David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi.

READ MORE: Alex Kingston reacts to ‘devastating’ Doctor Who cancellation

The popular sci-fi programme is facing an uncertain future at present, with the 2026 Christmas special cancelled and the show put out to tender by the BBC.

In the final scene of the show to date, Ncuti Gatwa’s 15th Doctor regenerated into familiar face Billie Piper.

The Swindon-born actress previously played fan favourite companion Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant.

Ms Kingston has now outlined her favourite picks for a new Doctor when the show eventually returns to screens.

READ MORE: Matt Smith wants Doctor Who return after shock regeneration

Speaking to the Oxford Mail on Thursday (June 18) ahead of the OUH Staff Recognition Awards 2026, she said: “I think it’s got to be somebody who has got fun in them, but also heart and soul.

“He’s now about to play [Hercule] Poirot, but I thought Edward Bluemel would be a brilliant Doctor.

“I’ve worked with him on Discovery of Witches, and he’s got all of the characteristics and qualities that would make a good Doctor.

“But then I also just worked on a theatre play called Copenhagen with Damien Molony, who just happens to be Bergerac.

READ MORE: Christopher Eccleston gives verdict on Billie Piper as Doctor Who

“We had a lot of time sitting on stage, and I would watch him, and he was so physically energised and active that there were times when I was sitting there going, ‘You could be a really good Doctor’.”

Ms Kingston then joked: “I shouldn’t have been thinking about that, yes, I’m the expert [having played the character’s wife].”

She added: “I mean, there are so many actors that could do it, but who knows.

“I think maybe it’s a good thing to just take a little bit of a breath now it’s just been put on ice.

READ MORE: Colin Baker claims Billie Piper ‘can’t be the next Doctor Who’

“The same thing happened in the late 1980s through the 90s, but it might just need a little bit of a moment to have somebody else come along who can take the reins of Russell T [Davies], take them confidently, and take the Doctor then in another direction.”

Ms Kingston was speaking ahead of her hosting the OUH Staff Recognition Awards 2026 ceremony on Thursday night.

You can find more breakouts from our chat on the Oxford Mail over the coming days before the full interview is released next week.

The Met Office has issued the advice amid an amber weather warning for extreme heat covering much of southern England and Wales, lasting from 1am on Monday to 11.59pm on Tuesday.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s, with the risk of overnight heat remaining above 20°C and only limited cooling after dark.

⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning UPDATED ⚠️⚠️

Extreme heat across parts of England and Wales

Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June

Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs

Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/qjNu88R6uB

— Met Office (@metoffice) June 20, 2026

The Met Office said: “Following very warm weather on Sunday, very high temperatures are expected on Monday and Tuesday and will likely bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure.

“In addition to high daytime maxima, temperatures overnight will remain very warm, especially in larger urban areas, and it will also feel humid.

“The very high temperatures may continue across a smaller area into the middle of the week, but there remains some uncertainty regarding the extent of this.

“There is an increased chance that some heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail, leading to power cuts and the loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

“Switch off appliances – turn off items such as irons, ovens, electric fires and fryers as they could pose a hazard if the power comes back on when you are not there.”

Although power outages are more commonly linked to thunderstorms, the Met Office said the “extreme” temperatures could cause equipment and infrastructure to fail, leaving properties without electricity.

The Met Office also recommends keeping mobile phones fully charged in advance and checking on elderly neighbours to ensure they are prepared.

Fridges and freezers should be kept closed and covered with a blanket, as they will remain cold for several hours without power.

The Met Office also encourages vulnerable residents to sign up for the Priority Services Register, a free service offered by utility companies for older people, disabled people, or those reliant on electricity for medical or mobility equipment.

Temperatures are expected to be significantly higher than last week in many parts of the country, including the Midlands, northern England, and Scotland.

The Met Office advises that anyone who relies on electricity to power healthcare equipment should have a plan in place to manage during an outage.

They should confirm with care providers, clinical teams, or equipment suppliers that they understand how to use equipment safely and what steps to take if power is lost.

Are you looking forward to the heatwave or dreading it? Let us know in the comments

Smyths Toys Superstores is running the nationwide promotion today (June 20), following the latest film’s cinema release.

Children named Woody, Buzz, Rex, or Jessie – including variations such as Jess and Jessica – can claim a free Toy Story 5 figure in-store while stocks last.

READ MORE: Oxford hospital staff celebrated at OUH awards 2026

The offer is available at stores across the UK, including Smyths Toys Superstores just over the Oxfordshire border in Swindon, as well as Aylesbury.

The giveaway has been launched to celebrate the “enduring popularity” of the Toy Story franchise, which first hit screens in 1995.

They also hope to “inspire a new generation of children with its unforgettable characters.”

A Smyths Toys Superstores spokesman said that in order to redeem the offer, parents and guardians must present valid proof of name and age.