Doctor Who season 11: Bradley Walsh didn’t have to audition for role

It is remarkable in many ways that game show presenter and TV personality Bradley Walsh is one of the new stars of Doctor Who season 11. What may be even more so is the fact that he apparently did not have to try out for the role using typical means. This was a role that was given over to him thanks in part to the work that he’s done in the industry, work that includes Law & Order: UK alongside new showrunner Chris Chibnall.

During a recent taping for The One Show, Walsh confirmed (per the Radio Times) that he did not have to formally audition for the show; instead, his history with Chibnall led to a brief discussion, which in turn led to him formally getting the coveted role:

“Chris Chibnall … asked me if I fancied being in the show, so we went down to meet [at the first script reading].”

One of the reasons why this is so important to point out is because it shows the specific level of confidence that Chibnall had in not only Walsh, but also his own version for the upcoming batch of episodes. This is a man who did not feel the need to specifically seek out other actors — he knew what he wanted alongside Jodie Whittaker and opted to go out and get it. (For the record, there is an official photo released of Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor, and you can check that out over at the link here.)

There is another good thing that comes with Walsh being a part of the enormous Doctor Who family, and it is that you are bringing someone aboard this series who knows and understands the franchise’s value all over Britain and the world. While any actor would be aware of this to some extent, it’s a little bit different when you’re someone who is prominent in the entertainment business already and knows a little more what it means to constantly have that microscope put upon you. Hopefully, many of the Doctor Who season 11 cast members are prepared for what is going to be a very intense, but exciting, next year of their lives. For many of them, getting used to the fame will be an adjustment period.

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