LONDON – British actor Rory Kinnear, the center of a fanboy and media firestorm of speculation surrounding his prospects of becoming the new Doctor Who, has shot down suggestions that he could get the role.
Kinnear, whose resume boasts turns in Skyfall and Quantum of Solace, told The Independent in an interview he had never watched the cult BBC show.
"I don't where it [speculation] came from and how these things evolve. I haven't been and I am totally certain that I will not be asked to be the next Doctor Who," he told the Independent. "If I was an actor who was really longing to play Doctor Who, then this would be torturous, but it's a program I've never watched, so I don't even really know what it is."
Matt Smith, who first made his debut as the Doctor in 2010, will depart following the 50th anniversary Doctor Who special that will air Nov. 23 and the annual Christmas special.
His intentions to leave in June this year sparked widespread debate across the Internet, social media and the British media over who might take up the role. Kinnear was listed by some bookmakers as the favorite to land the role.
In the U.S., Doctor Who airs on BBC America, and is the cable network's highest-rated series.
Doctor Who is produced by BBC Cymru Wales.
