Rose Matafeo named as Time Lord contender as search begins to find the next Doctor Who

Could Rose Matafeo be handed the keys to the Tardis?

The Kiwi comedian has been touted as a potential new Time Lord after the BBC announced last month that Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker will leave the show after three specials to be screened in 2022. Showrunner Chris Chibnall is also departing the long-running time travel series.

The Guardian last week compiled a list of potential replacements to become the 14th doctor, with Matafeo ranking third behind British musician and LGBTQ advocate Olly Alexander, and I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel.

Matafeo, whose popularity has soared this year on the back of the success of her own hit BBC comedy series Starstruck, was named ahead of an impressive group of other stars, including Tilda Swinton, Riz Ahmed, Richard Ayoade, Lydia West, and Tobias Menzies.

Describing Matafeo as “a creative force in comedy and writing her own shows”, The Guardian said “you can easily imagine her bursting out of the Tardis doors for a spot of adventure.”

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Doctor Who’s next Covid-curtailed six-episode season will air on the BBC in the UK later this year. The first of a trio of specials will screen on New Year’s Day 2022, with two to follow - including Whittaker’s final full-length special - later next year.

The programme, which originally ran from 1963 to 1989, has remained hugely popular since it was relaunched in 2005.

Matafeo’s star continues to rise after wowing critics and fans alike with Starstruck - which was quickly confirmed for a second season – less than a week after it premiered in April.

Matafeo developed and wrote the lighthearted romcom project together with friend and fellow Kiwi Alice Snedden.

The millennial love story sees 20-something Jessie (played by Matafeo) fall for Tom Kapoor (Mikesh Patel) after the pair have a one-night stand on New Year’s Eve, after which she discovers he’s a big time movie star.

In April, Matafeo told Stuff she wants to “keep making TV and films and get into more writing and directing” and in her self-deprecating style, admitted she’d be “stoked” to win a Hollywood audition.

“I’d love a big-time Hollywood agent to come and be like, ‘we want you as a very small character part, just because of your curly hair’. I've got low self-esteem; I’d take it.”