With the looming departure of its current Doctor in actor Matt Smith, many fans of BBC's hit TV series, Doctor Who, anxiously await the eventual announcement regarding his replacement.

According to the Scunthorpe Telegraph, it appears as though actress Sheridan Smith may be considered the top potential suitor for the highly coveted role, as the British news site stated the following on June 19:

"Reports have said the 31-year-old actress is top of the BBC's wish-list to take over the role for the current Doctor, Matt Smith."

If Smith did end up being cast, she'd be the very first woman Doctor to ever grace the program. However, there have been other females that have come on board to don the doctor in other capacities.

Joanna Lumley had played the Doctor in Steven Moffat's comedic version of the series titled, The Curse of Fatal Death. In 2003, Arabella Weir stepped into the Doctor role for an audio show called Doctor Who Unbound.

No official airdate has yet to be announced for Season 8 of Doctor Who. However, the 50th anniversary special will be airing on Saturday, November 23 in the U.K., followed by the Christmas special. The respective episodes will be Smith's final two. Be sure to keep checking back for more of the latest details on the popular British program. The 50th anniversary trailer can be viewed below.

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Doctor Who, Television, BBC