Inspector Lynley & Merlin Star Wants An Older Doctor

Nathanial Parker, who starred in the popular BBC children’s series 'Merlin', has complained that the actors who play Doctor Who are too young. 

 

The BBC has a chequered past when it comes to accusations of ageism. Now the debate has spread to one of the corporation’s most loved series.

Nathanial Parker, who played Agravaine in the popular BBC children’s series Merlin, has complained that the actors who play the Doctor are too young. “They just seem to be getting younger and younger,” he tells Mandrake.

Matt Smith made history in 2009 as the youngest actor ever to play the role in the television series, then aged 27. Before him, David Tennant was 34 when he took on the role and Christopher Eccleston was 41 when he made his debut as The Doctor.

Parker has called for the next regeneration of Doctor Who to be played by an older actor.

“An old Doctor Who, that’s what we need,” he says. Happily, the 50-year-old says he would love to play the part if the opportunity arose. “I’d love a part in it, I’d love to play The Doctor himself.”