Katherine Kelly

Katherine Kelly

Katherine Kelly has called for a female Time Lord in 'Doctor Who'.

The 'Mr Selfridge' beauty would love to see an actress take on the titular role in the BBC One sci-fi show when Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, departs the programme later this year, and she would love to play the part herself.

She told Radio Times magazine: "Will they ever let us have a female Doctor Who? I don't know. I think they should."

Katherine, 33, is the latest star to lobby for a female Doctor, following in the footsteps of Oscar winner Dame Helen Mirren.

Although the 'RED 2' actress has been linked to the coveted role herself, she recently insisted she wouldn't star in the show but feels the part should go to a woman.

She said: "I'm not going to be the first female Doctor Who. No, no, no, absolutely not. I absolutely wouldn't contemplate that. But I do think it's well over-time to have a female Doctor Who."

Matt announced his departure from the long-running drama in June and feels the show's 50th anniversary on November 23 - exactly 50 years after it first started in 1963 - is the perfect time to bow out of the role.

He said: "I've had four wonderful years, been on some great journeys on and off screen. Part of me felt it was the right time to go after the 50th anniversary, after the celebration of its birthday, that perhaps it was my time [to go]."

Before he hands over control of the TARDIS, Matt will star in an eagerly anticipated feature-length episode of 'Doctor Who' to commemorate the landmark anniversary, as well as a Christmas special in December.