'Doctor Who's new boss Chris Chibnall won't choose the person to play his Time Lord until the script has been written.
Chris Chibnall and the cast of Gracepoint
Rumours about who will take over from Peter Capaldi - who has played titular character since 2013 - when he bows out as the lead later this year have been rife in recent weeks, but the forthcoming 46-year-old show runner is adamant he's not even thinking that far ahead right now and just wants to make sure the story is perfect.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, he said: "We'll cast the role in the traditional way: write the script, then go and find the best person for that part in that script. You couldn't go out and cast an abstract idea."
Some viewers have called for a woman to be cast as the titular character and, although he's not giving it much thought at the moment, Chibnall - the creator of the crime drama 'Broadchurch' and the miniseries 'Gracepoint'- has "a very clear sense" of what he wants.
He explained: "The creative possibilities are endless, but I have a very clear sense of what we're going to do, without even knowing who's going to play the part."
The 46-year-old television writer will take over from current show runner Steven Moffatt at the beginning of 2018 once Capaldi makes his final appearance as the time-travelling scientist in the Christmas special later this year.
The 58-year-old actor made his announcement at the beginning of last month during a radio interview.
He said: "I suppose the big thing about [the new series] is it'll be my last. This'll be the end for me. I feel sad - I love 'Doctor Who'. It's a fantastic programme to work on. It's been a huge pleasure to work with ... a family, I can't praise the people I work with more highly. I've never worked the same job for three years, and I feel like now is the right time to move on. [But] I'll still be the Doctor for a while."
And life-long 'Doctor Who' fan Capaldi - who took over the part from Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith in 2013 - admitted no other acting job had meant so much to him during his career.
He said at the time: "There's never been anything more special for me. One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best. From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead. I can't thank everyone enough. It's been cosmic."
Capaldi will be joined in Series 10, which will hit screens in April, by newcomer Pearl Mackie, who portrays unknown companion Bill Potts, Matt Lucas reprising his role as Nardole and Michelle Gomez returning as Time Lady Missy - formerly known as The Master.
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