Let’s be honest – many an actor would love a guest spot in Doctor Who, saving the galaxy and travelling with the Doctor for an episode or two and then basking in the glory of their Tardis data core wiki entry for the rest of their careers.


But one might assume a Sherlock star with a direct line to departing Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat (he writes both series) would have a better chance than most in securing themselves such a part, especially considering how many stars of the BBC detective series (including Rupert Graves, Russell Tovey, Bertie Carvel, Lindsay Duncan, Phil Davis, Gemma Chan and frequent Who writer Mark Gatiss) have popped up in the Whoniverse over the years.

However, according to Louise Brealey (who plays pathologist Molly Hooper in Sherlock and stars in new Channel 4 comedy Back tonight), her association with Moffat and Gatiss hasn’t managed to land her a ticket to the Tardis – despite her very best efforts.

“I’ve asked them a million times!” Brealey told RadioTimes.com when asked if she’d consider a Doctor Who role. “Absolutely.

“I’ve said ‘Look, I’ll be a Dalek….nothing. Absolutely nothing. Furious,” she joked, hilariously. “Not asking any more.”

And indeed it could be that she’s now missed her chance, with her direct connection to Doctor Who management – in the form of Sherlock co-creator Moffat, who has been Doctor Who showrunner since 2010 – set to end in this year’s Christmas special.

“I know, he’s gone!” Brealey agreed. “Blown it. Who’s the next one? I’m gonna start currying favour with them.”

However, before she got Chris Chibnall on speed dial Brealey went on to make clear that there were no hard feelings over her Whoniversal rejection.

“Please don’t say I’m absolutely furious that Steven hasn’t given me a part on that show,” Brealey laughed.

“If you put it, you have to say ‘she joked, hilariously.’ (And we obliged…)

“I asked to be [in it], just because, you know – it’s Doctor Who,” she concluded. “But it’s OK. I’m not losing sleep over it.”

We’d say this is the perfect opportunity for Chris Chibnall to finally right a terrible wrong, and allow Louise Brealey the Doctor Who role of her dreams. After all, if she can’t get herself onto the Tardis data core, what hope is there for the rest of us?


Louise Brealey stars in Back on Channel 4 on Wednesdays at 9.00pm