He's played big Shakesperean roles on stage including Hamlet - I think he can cope with the energy required for Who.
Jon Pertwee was noted as being something of a comedic performer before he was cast as the third Doctor. But how did he play the TimeLord? As something akin to a "serious" action hero. The point? just because an actor may be noted for certain roles does not mean he'll perform the Doctor in a similar fashion. Sincerely, Bill
Can't see Kinnear as the Doctor at all. He fits the mould of white, male 20's to 30's (despite all the speculation I can't see them veering away from that) but I can't see the girls swooning over him. Or the men for that matter.
I swooned over the first snapshots of Martha in her trim red leather jacket, but that's about it. What she called "acting" remedied me of any lingerings on that front.
Not really, but genetics are against him somewhat. He's just one of those people who's probaby always looked a little older than he is. He isn't going to be the Doctor, but I can near as guarentee that if he was, he'd have plenty of admirers, even if many of them just wanted to mother him.
He's 59 now, they've never cast anyone that old He would have made a good Doctor though, also a good Master!
It's too bad age is a factor when it comes to casting. Patrick Stewart was in his late forties and early fifties during TNG. So I don't know why age (within reason) would be a big deal. So as long as the actor isn't being followed by someone with a dirt and shovel then don't worry about age.
Age is unfortunately a factor because of the working hours. Doctor Who today is much a faster-paced, stressful production than The Next Generation ever was.
What!? Wait...What?! TNG put out one episode every 8 days, 26 episodes (on average) a season (series for you UKed challanged). Doctor Who puts out (if we're lucky) 14 episodes every 18 months. The only reason a Doctor can't be a little "older" is because of one of the Doctors main functions: RUN!
They need a young actor who can land on a mat 50 times a day. Someone who can run and run and run. Plus all the other physical things the new doctor actors have to deal with. In the TNG Picard would just sit in his chair and say "Engage" Not very demanding. Then we had the movies and they turned him into an action hero
That's misleading though. Consider how many scenes each actor is in. TNG was an ensemble show. Yes, Picard might get more episodes focused on him, but, it got balanced out with others. And, there was always a B plot involving others. In Doctor Who, the Doctor is many, many of the scenes. That's a lot of time in front of a camera. That's a lot of work.
People forget that between takes the leads of Doctor Who are required to do jumping jacks, push ups and wind sprints. It really takes a lot of the actors.
Dominic Cooper was on the TV this morning promoting his new film and said that he'd definitely be interested in being considered for the role. So we can stick him in the "Definitely hasn't got the part Column" along with Rory Kinnear then.