Lesley Sharp may not be a household name to many U.S. fans of Doctor Who, but she played the key role of Sky Silvestry in the fourth series episode called Midnight. In a new interview, Sharp praises Matt Smith’s portrayal and dodges a female Doctor question.

Back in 2008, when David Tennant’s farewell Doctor Who specials had begun to air, Russell T. Davies was asked about the next Doctor being a female. When he answered that it was a distinct possibility, the obvious follow-up question was who. At the time, Davies suggested the names of Catherine Zeta Jones and Lesley Sharp. Now many took Davies’ words in jest. On the other hand, some thought that perhaps there was the grain of the possible in what he said. Regardless, it’s a question that still gets posed to Lesley Sharp.

Lesley Sharp has a new show debuting on the Sky network, and of course The Metro couldn’t resist putting the Doctor Who question to her.

Who have you learned the most from working with?

…I learned a lot from Russell T Davies, who is the most wonderful writer. He and I just agreed on how much we love television and how important it is. He’s amazing. I learned a lot just from watching him on set and how he is with actors.

He said you should be the first woman Doctor Who, didn’t he?

Yes, but I think he was kidding around. He’s fantastic, though.

Do you fancy doing it?

I think Matt Smith’s doing a wonderful job.

It’s interesting to note that Sharp evades a direct answer to the question of whether she personally fancies doing the role. She instead opted to praise Matt Smith’s portrayal of the character.

This is not the first time in recent memory that a female Doctor has been suggested. In late December, Helen Mirren was suggested as a female Doctor.

Do you think the next Doctor could be a woman? If yes, who should it be?