X-FILES' Anderson rumored for DOCTOR WHO

It sounds like the stuff of fan fiction: Dana Scully from The X-Files meets the Doctor from Doctor Who. (As you read this, half a dozen geeks scattered around the globe are each writing a paragraph where the Doctor gives an incredulous Scully a tour of the Tardis bridge, and then a temporal eddy sends the Tardis lurching off course and Scully is knocked off her high heels and into the Doctor's arms.) But if current rumors are to be believed, the Doctor really is about to cross paths with Agent Scully... Or at least the actress who portrays her.

England's Daily Express tabloid is reporting that Anderson will appear in Matt Smith's first outing as the Doctor, after he replaces the departing David Tennant. Anderson will allegedly portray the Rani, a morally suspect, Time Lord super-scientist who was played by Kate O'Mara when the character appeared on Who back in the '80s.

A source told the paper, "The Rani would be a perfect role for her as the character used to be regarded as one of the Doctor’s most deadly opponents. The team behind the show are keen for the next Doctor to have lots of new enemies and Gillian would be a glamorous and impressive addition to the list."

This rumor does make sense, in a few ways. Anderson's star has fallen a bit since her X-Files' glory days, and an appearance on Doctor Who would attract a whole lot of attention for both her and Who just as the show's producers are desperate to keep viewers interested after Tennant leaves. Doctor Who did a lot of stunt-casting during the Russell T. Davies era, and there are indications new show runner Steven Moffat intends to continue with this practice. Anderson already lives in London, so scheduling wouldn't be a huge obstacle. And Davies already half-kiddingly hinted the Rani could be back in the DVD commentary for the episode Last of the Time Lords. Finally, a change in the character's appearance from the O'Mara days wouldn't be an issue, thanks to the same Time Lord regeneration process that will explain the transformation of Tennant into Smith.

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