David Tennant officially announced that he would be stepping down from his most famous role yet, that of “Doctor Who,” the SF series that is the longest running television show internationally. His finale episode will happen at the end of 2009. “When Doctor Who returns in 2010 it won’t be with me,” Tennant said.
In an interview with the BBC, David said that with the moving on of Russell Davies, and his feeling that the time is right for him since his performance is still popular and memorable. He didn’t want to outstay his welcome. It is “time to take a deep breath and bow out” stated Tennant and said he didn’t “want it to feel like a job” while it is still fresh and alive.
He says that leaving the show at this time is really the best for fans and the series. He could have easily stayed on forever in the role he loves it so much, but he feels fans are ready for a new and exciting Doctor now.
When asked if he has been told by Davies how his role as the Doctor would end and what departing words his time as the famous character would make, Tennant could only reply that, like fans of the show, he has yet to find that out himself.
Tennant served as Doctor Who, taking over from Christopher Eccleston, for 3 full seasons, with some specials due out in 2009. Actor Tom Baker served as the Doctor in more episodes of the iconic figure then any other star — 173 in all.
You can catch the Tennant BBC interview HERE.
I’m not surprised by this. I figured the specials would be a good time for Tennant to bid farewell the role…
Now the rampant speculation on who will be the next Doctor can begin…
Nooooo!
(sorry, still in first stage of grief about the news: Shock and Denial)
I’m with Carriep here.
I thought he loved playing the part. I don’t get it. If you love doing something, why would you stop?
Anyway, I had a feeling he was going to quit, but I was hoping that he’d wait another year before doing it.
I’m thinking that his decision may have something to do with the change in creative direction for the series. Moffat already stated that he’s planning on making the series more “serious” when it comes back in 2010 and a “goofy” Doctor may not fit that tone very well. That’s just my guess. Because quitting something that you love doing doesn’t make any sense.
Yes, he loves the role. But he also is an actor and wants to have a career after Dr Who.
If he stays too much longer, he will be so associated with the role as Doctor that other parts will be harder to come by. Casting agents will see him as the Doctor and may not consider him for other, different roles. Yes, we all know he a lot of talent and range, but it’s easy to become so identified with a role that people can’t or wont’ see you as anything else.
Take Tom Baker for example….
It’s going to be sad to see Tennant go but we all thought the same thing when Eccleston left and the series only continued to grow better. This is probably going to be the case once more (or at least I hope it does). Lets look on the bright side maybe this time they’ll give us something completely new. Hummm I say a woman Dr. this time around. They can even cast Catherine Tate. Doctor Donna Returns !!!!
*ducks, runs, and hides*
I don’t think staying an extra year would really hurt his acting career.
Okay, so I’m bummed. But I was bummed when Christopher Eccleston left too and David Tennant did a fine job – in fact, I grew to like him even more. So, I hope the show goes on and if it does, here are my votes, in no particular order, for who I’d like to see replace David:
Martin Freeman from The Office, Love Actually, and Hitchhikers Guide
Simon Pegg from Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Star Trek
Patrick Stewart from Star Trek the Next Generation, X-Men.
Now, I know it’s been reported that Stewart has been cast to be in one of the specials next season, but he’d be a cool Doctor Who and decidedly different from Eccleston and Tennant. Freeman might be a little too much like Tennant. Pegg would be, well, he’d be awesome. Any of the three would, really.
Apparently, David Morrissey has a good chance of being the next Doctor. Even if not, he’ll still be in the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special.
James Nesbitt as the new Doctor, Look what he did with Jekyell (writen also by Steven Moffat)
Yeah it’s sad news but it may be time for a change. I would love to see James Nesbitt as the Doctor to but Stephen Fry would be amazing “ooooohhhh Daaarlying” and he is probably to smartest man on telly so it wouldn’t be a great leap to play the smarts of the Doctor.
Oh yeah and Hugh Laurie could be his companian.
Man. I guess you don’t’ know what you got till its gone. I might always make reference to why I loved Christopher Eccleston, fore than David Tennant, but I truely love Tennant. It won;t be the same…its just not fair.
One of the reasons he said he’d chosen now to go (I’m in the uk and got to see the interview in full) is that he feels that if he doesn’t leave at this point, he never will because he enjoys it so much. It will also allow him to go out in a big way with the 4 longer episodes probably forming a bigger arc. (There have been rumours about it being the Time War and Davies has said that he want’s to give Moffatt a clean slate for his work and that would be one way of ‘hitting the reset button’ ).
It won’t be the same, but then it never has been with any of the Doctors and this is, personally, my 7th during my viewing career. I’m sure whoever they bring in will be brilliant. Of the list mentioned I think Nesbitt would be my preferance (esp as he hasn’t featured in any of the new series, Pegg has and Morrisey and Stewart are due to).
In the meantime, I look forward to the Christmas episode in which the title ‘The Next Doctor’ could be prophetic!!! Who knows
Humm I know this is just Fanboy thinking outloud type of thing. But it would be interesting if they said that the Doctor had to go away for a while. So he bestows the Time Lord title of the Doctor to (drum roll)
His daughter. This gives us a clean start (sort of), a new spin with a lady doctor. Saves a regeneration for later and gives the ability for David Tennant cameos in the future. Like I said it has a 0% chance in coming to light but it’s fun to think about. And since we’re thinking big Simon Pegg as the companion
Just to give some of you an idea of how this has gone down in the UK, on the BBC boards (theres a lot of an injoke there if you go there, so be warned) there are some people really slating DT for going and how he’s been selfish and upset peoples kids!!! Can’t believe how narrow some people are being.
I think that Jenny (his daughter) is more likely to be used in a spin off series rather than in the main series, apart from guest appearances. Something that would fall inbetween Torchwood and Sarah Jane in terms of audience appeal. (Though that’s the role of the main show really.
Its also quite interesting to see who people are suggesting in the uk as well. Don’t know how many of these you will have heard of, but here goes and would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on some of these. (I’ve left off those who’ve been mentioned already).
Bill Bailey
Stephen Fry
Alan Davies
Eddie Izzard
Sean Pertwee
Kris Marshall
Alan Rickman
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Alexander Siddig
James Callis
James McEvoy
Hugh Laurie
and even Jonny Depp
(The list goes on but I had to stop somewhere).
Theres a number of presenters in there and I’m not sure how they would cope with actual acting roles and a number of comedians, but then we saw in Serenity that being a comdeian didn’t stop people playing roles well. Also there are some there, Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman who would obviously take the series in a different direction for a while!
One that I hadn’t thought of thats on the list who I think would have the charisma to play the roll would be James McEvoy. The problem with him, and others would be commitments elsewhere and how long they would be willing to stay in the role. For that reason many are also suggesting an unknown who will be happy to stay a while.
So the new producer wants a more “serious” doctor? Shades of what happened when John Nathan-Turner took over and shoved out Tom Baker. The Doctor is meant to be unpredictable, eccentric, both serious and comedic. A new producer can hurt or help the Doctor – it’s happened in the past, it looks like it’s happening again. The character has survived worse, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens with the next Doctor.
you so need McEvoy young sexy smart .. oh yes even if he only signs up for 2yrs..
i dont want a new doctor , i am not going to watch the show anymore