Photo: WENN

With Matt Smith set to leave the role as Doctor Who at the end of the year, the hunt to find the 12th Time Lord has begun.

Many names are being thrown around as to who could replace Matt Smith and so far, Chiwetel Ejiofor is 7/1 on to be given the role in the sci-fi fantasy. He’s one of the emerging favourites, let alone the possibility of being the first black Doctor in the history of the show.

Chiwetel has already stated his intentions of playing the Doctor by saying he woud say “yes” if the series’ producers ask him to play the role.

It’s no secret that Chiwetel has wanted to play the main role, as in 2011, he was asked by Andrew Marr if he’d want to play the role and the actor said: “Yes, of course. It’s always good to be asked to come back to London and do great stuff not only in television but in theatre and film too.”

Taking into account his history on stage and on-screen and starring in films such as American Gangster and Love Actually as well as winning a Laurence Oliver Award for Best Actor as Othello in 2008 in theatre production, SkyBet have given the BAFTA Winner odds in his favour to succeed Matt Smith. He has also appeared on TV shows which include In The Shadow and Dancing On The Edge.

His versatility and experience is one to admire, doing work across film, TV and theatre and it’s no surprise to see why SkyBet have placed him as the favourite.

Anyone thinking the BAFTA winner was going to walk right into this role can think again. Rory Kinnear is on the heals of Chiwetel of taking this high-profile jon and Ladbrokes have stated him as the favourite with odds of 3/1.

A source told the Daily Mirror: “Rory has all the credibility and is known in the industry as a very talented actor, but he isn’t as instantly recognisable as some of the other candidates.

“Matt Smith proved that choosing a lesser-known talent can really work, and he’s been a big hit with viewers. It’s essential to get this decision right for the future of the series.”

Chiwetel Ejiofor has emerged as the favourite to be the new ‘Doctor’ (WENN)

Another name being thrown into the mix is Russell Tovey who is also a strong contender. His name was thrown into the hat in 2010 for the role of the eleventh doctor, but the Being Human actor eventually lost out to Matt Smith.

Russell has been given odds of 10/1 by William Hill to be the next Doctor.

Dame Helen Mirren and Olivia Coleman have also been thrown into the mix, but it’s understood that BBC bosses wouldn’t want a female playing the Doctor as it would be difficult for parents to explain the sex change of the Time Lord’s to their children.

Russell T. Davies; former Doctor Who boss told the Daily Star ‘While I think kids will not have a problem with a female Doctor, I think fathers will have a problem with it.

“They will then imagine they will have to describe sex changes to their children.”

The last series ended with John Hurt being ‘The Doctor’, but many believe that doesn’t make him favourite to be the twelfth Time Lord.

On his departure from the show, Matt Smith, who has played the Time Lord for three years said “It’s been an honour to play this role, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go.”