Multiple Sources Linking Miranda Hart To Doctor Who

[Brendon Connelly]

Several members of Bleeding Cool's whispering cabinet have, over the last few weeks, mentioned one name again and again in relation to Doctor Who...

...and that name is Miranda Hart, star creator and writer of the really rather winning BBC sitcom, Hart to Hart Miranda.

We have tried, to no avail, to get an actual confirmation that Ms. Hart will be taking part in the series. At this stage we thought it fair to report that, at the very least, her name keeps coming around.

Sent to Google by the talk, I saw some old gossip about her already having turned down a role, but the voices we're hearing seem pretty clear that they've got something to talk about in the present tense.

We know that Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill are leaving the show are some point in the next series, so that clears the board of Amy and Rory, and it's very likely indeed that The Doctor will be looking for a new companion or two.

We also know that the show has reached out to James Corden about returning, though as far as we know, he may be set for just another one-off Craig episode and not anything more involved.

So... could Miranda be the next companion to bunk down on the TARDIS? We think it's a possibilty. Or perhaps she'll have some other role.

Ms. Hart's "straight acting" debut will be in the BBC series Call the Midwife. Maybe that will give some idea of her suitability to the duties of Doctor companionship. Or perhaps we've already seen everything we need to see from her appearances in the sci-fi sitcom Hyperdrive. Here's a taste:





Both series of Hyperdrive are available in a nice, cheap DVD set.

Little footnotey update: The Daily Mail say that Miranda has been "tipped" to become a judge on the next series of Strictly Come Dancing. This could see her appearing in two consecutive shows on Saturday evenings that Autumn.

[thekeith82]

Hmm. I like Miranda Hart, and I'd be perfectly happy to see her pop up in an episode, but as a more permanent companion....I'm not seeing it.

[stuntman_fraz]

Yeah, I doubt they'd go for her on a full time basis but she'll be fun as a guest. And please, please, please no Corden! Fun in his first episode, but I don't think I could stand it full time.

Would love a real strong female character who is just along for the ride again. Everything's a bit too muddled now.

[moun10dew]

Agree....I don't know her...but she looks like a good guest. HOWEVER....IMO...DR Who needs some eyecandy. I'm going to miss Karen when she leaves.

[notthathard]

Sounds similar to Catherine Tate, which is NOT a good thing. Donna was one of the most atrocious companions in Who history.

[Artificial Idiot]

I actually thought Catherine Tate worked surprisingly well. Although that may have just been because she followed on the heels of Freema Agyeman playing one of the dullest companions ever...

Like others, not sure I'd want to see Miranda in a permanent role, but I do like the idea of her guesting. Hope they do more with her than they did with Bill Bailey and Simon Pegg though. As for James Corden returning... I really enjoyed the episodes with Craig, and if it means more Stormageddon too then count me in! Again, wouldn't want to see him for a full series - But I like these once a series episodes.

[the_silver_shade]

Miranda was originally being tapped for the 2011 Christmas Special, but the BBC high heid yins supposedly knocked it back on the basis that it would interfere with her making another series of her sitcom.

For her to be a full-fledged companion would no doubt be even more problematic, therefore; unless they have found a way to work around her busy schedule - they had to do this with Alex Kingston's other filming commitments in 2010-11, after all, not to mention Moffat's Sherlock duties (and by extension the dairies of the Who / Sherlock regular cast).

[Mike H.]

A whole series with Craig as the companion might get a little stale. Another one-off episode would be great, especially if Lord Stormageddon was in his terrible twos and decided to assume the role of "villain".

[toodoor]

The stunt casting makes me think of the worst moments of the 80s. I thought Tate worked well as a regular, there was a great dynamic there between them, although her Xmas special was a bit annoying. The Craig stuff worked once, less so the second time.
I like Hart as a comedian, I'll try and reserve judgement till we see how her straight acting debut turns out., but I am not overawed by this rumour (which may be just a rumour anyway).