‘Doctor Who’ season 8: Is Domhnall Gleeson, Daniel Kaluuya, or Dominic Cooper 12th Doctor?

Welcome to the crazy world of “Doctor Who” casting rumors, and the story that we have this time around is a pretty big one. Are we close to learning who is going to be the 12th Doctor, just one week after the news first broke regarding Matt Smith’s exit from the series? It all depends on the sources you trust on the internet.

We don’t have verification on any of this as of this time, so take the following with a grain of salt. Starburst is reporting that a major British publication has caught wind on a major casting scoop regarding the 12th Doctor, and is planning to run the story this weekend. However, the BBC is hoping to beat them to the punch with an announcement of their own, and the website claims that the following three names are among the leading contenders for the part.

Domhnall Gleeson – An Irish actor, best known for playing Bill Weasley in the “Harry Potter” movies.

Dominic Cooper – The actor who probably looks the most like some of the Doctors of old, and he has a resume that includes roles on “Captain America: The First Avenger” and “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.” He has the thickest resume of the names mentioned.

Daniel Kaluuya – If chosen, the “Skins” actor would become the first black actor cast as The Doctor.

As we said, these names are just some that are being reportedly considered, and there’s no guarantee that any of them will get the part or that an announcement will come this weekend. We do presume, though, that producers likely knew about Smith’s departure for some time, and may have been conducting a casting search in secret.

If you want to read what Jenna-Louise Coleman had to say recently about Smith’s exit, all you have to do is click here.

Photo: BBC One