Doctor Who star Alex Kingston reveals choice for next Doctor

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.