Sherlock actress Lara Pulver, who played Irene Adler in series 2, has spoken about the rumours and prospects of becoming the first female Doctor.

Talking to the Evening Standard, the True Blood, Spooks and Sherlock star addressed the recent rumours that she will take over the reins from Matt Smith and become the first female Doctor in Doctor Who.

There are wild rumours too that she might be the first female Doctor Who. “Steven [Moffat] and I have both said we thoroughly enjoyed working together, and then there was me being in Wales so the media put two and two together.” Wouldn’t it be amazing, though? “Yes and no. Not if it meant the end of the Doctor Who franchise because the fans aren’t keen on it.”

Somehow that seems unlikely. But there’s the possibility of an Adler return as well. Shooting on season three starts in January: “I have no idea where Steven and Mark [Gatiss] are going to go. If they want to leave her as a one-episode wonder, then I completely back them. If they do bring her back, I’m sure it will be in the most unexpected, dynamic way they could possibly do.”

It’s sad that Pulver thinks a female Doctor would kill the success of the show, but her claims aren’t unfounded. At the Doctor Who convention earlier this year, a third of fans admitted they would stop watching if a woman was to take over the character. While they were probably being over dramatic (fans threaten to turn off every time we get a new companion or Doctor), it would be a huge risk and could completely change the show’s dynamic.

She does give some encouraging words though, suggesting enthusiasm for both the prospect of stepping into the TARDIS and the possibility of a Sherlock return should either opportunity present itself.

Do you think it’s time we had a female Doctor? If not Pulver, who would you suggest for the part?