Steven Moffat has discussed the possibility of Benedict Cumberbatch appearing in Doctor Who in the future.
The showrunner, who writes the long-running sci-fi as well as the Cumberbatch-starring Sherlock, downplayed rumours that the actor is in line to star as The Doctor's long-time adversary The Master, but stopped short of saying it would never happen.
Speaking at the Royal Television Society awards, Moffat told Radio Times: "People really do sit in rooms and make that stuff up.
"Look at the filming schedules for Doctor Who and Sherlock - those two shows tend to shoot at the same time. We'd have a problem and there's only so much I can arrange."
However, Moffat went on to tease: "But who knows what could happen in the future."
Current Time Lord star Matt Smith has also dismissed speculation linking Cumberbatch to Doctor Who, saying recently: "I know Ben and I've not heard anything about it. But he's a wonderful actor and a mate."
Cumberbatch is currently shooting the sequel to JJ Abrams's Star Trek, and is due to begin filming on Sherlock's third season in early 2013.
Doctor Who will return to BBC One and BBC America in the autumn.
