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Eccleston Says He Won’t Return for Doctor Who‘s 50th Anniversary

May 3, 2011 By Mike Hickerson 16 Comments

With the 50th anniversary just a little over two years away, fans are beginning to wonder how Doctor Who will celebrate the milestone.

Sadly, three of the Doctors are no longer with us and it appears there’s one actor not interested in reprising the role.  That would be Christopher Eccleston, who played the ninth Doctor on the series.

When asked about whether he’d return for the anniversary celebration, Eccleston told British interviewer Graham Norton, “No. Never bathe in the same river twice.”

Current producer Steven Moffat says he’d like to stay working on the show through its 50th anniversary and we’re hearing that Matt Smith may be persuaded to remain as well to celebrate the anniversary.

Fans may recall that the 20th anniversary story, “The Five Doctors” happened without new footage from the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker.  Baker felt he hadn’t been away from the role long enough and so the production team used footage from the unbroadcast story “Shada” instead.

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Filed Under: Developing Stories Tagged With: Doctor Who

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Comments

  1. Morgothik says

    May 3, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    Christopher Eccleston was terrific as the Doctor. I know his exit left a sour taste in his mouth but he really needs to get over it.

    Reply
  2. Arkle says

    May 3, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    Morgothik: It’s his call to make, and this isn’t w/o precedent. I don’t think Eccleston has ever done a sequel.

    Reply
  3. DoctorWhoFan says

    May 3, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    It is too bad that he does not want to return to the role; even if it is only briefly. I liked his portrayal of the doctor and it was a shame that it only lasted for one year.

    Reply
  4. Trekkie says

    May 3, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    They should have never cast that prima donna. What a waste of a regeneration

    Reply
  5. Mike H says

    May 3, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    I liked Eccleston as the doctor, but if his heart isn’t into it, I’d rather he not be a part of it anymore.

    Reply
  6. Sam says

    May 3, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    I like Eccleston but never understood his reluctance to revisit past characters he has played. He has done this with other work as well. Thank God great Shakespearean actors never felt that way. Could you imagine Oliver not revisiting King Lear or Stewart and Branagh telling Hamlet to take a hike? There is nothing wrong with bathing in the same river more than once because a river isn’t stagnant like a lake or pond but the water is in constant motion and can be a quite new and refreshing turn with each encounter.

    Reply
    • Jess says

      July 22, 2011 at 9:01 am

      I agree with Sam. I loved Ecclestone as the Doctor, and it is a real shame he wont even come back to Doctor Who, for an episode to mark it’s 50th Ann.
      Although I can understand why he doesn’t want to, I am kind of disappointed in him. I have a great deal of respect for the man. But I think he has made a wrong choice in not returning for the special. Can only hope he will change his mind 🙁 xx

      Reply
  7. Roy the Bionic Geek says

    May 3, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    Sam took the words out of my mouth.

    Reply
  8. Robin says

    May 4, 2011 at 6:29 am

    Some TV / film actors have a really strong aversion to reprising roles that theater actors don’t. It’s disappointing that Eccleston is so opposed to returning for the 50th anniversary, but not at all surprising to me. He’s been pretty clear about how uncomfortable the level of fame attached to Doctor Who was for him, and the idea of stepping back into that even for a little while is probably an awful one.

    On the upside, I sure they’ll be able to snag Tennant. And maybe even McGann, who’s been continuing in the franchise with the Big Finish audio adventures.

    Reply
  9. Jake in Indiana says

    May 4, 2011 at 7:00 am

    I’m actually pretty disappointed that Eccleston will not be a part of the 50th anniversary. His particular style of the Doctor came off to me as a middle ground between the whimsy of David Tennant and the wry gruffness of Matt Smith combined with a physique that showed the potential for physical violence, always restrained. I agree with Sam that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with “bathing in the same river twice”, if the river is fresh. For crying out loud, an actor should want to be in a memorable role and there isn’t much out there more memorable than this!

    Reply
  10. Indiana Jim says

    May 4, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Maybe he’s superstitious.

    Reply
  11. david monteith says

    May 4, 2011 at 8:57 am

    None of you have had to deal with casting of the stigma of an old job to ensure the longevity of your career. I’m not sure this would hurt his career but it is a concern for an actor and therefore his call to make

    Reply
  12. Jayson says

    May 4, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    We still have two years until the 50th anniversary and it’s possible something might change his mind in that time. Stranger things in show business have happened and if this news were closer to the 50th anniversary then I would say it’s over. However, there is still time.

    Reply
  13. bocoe says

    May 6, 2011 at 12:00 am

    Well it looks Mr. E. really had a very unpleasant experience during his run with Dr. Who. This is not the first time he has hinted at this not being something he relished. I rather enjoyed him as the Dr.

    Reply
  14. hilsto says

    May 6, 2011 at 7:44 am

    A lot of credit for Doctor Who taking off again goes to Eccleston’s performance as the Doctor. I wish he stayed on more than one year and I can only speculate why he didn’t. His career trajectory doesn’t seem like the type to be harmed by a stint as the Doctor. Even a repeated stint. If anything I’ve been more aware of his projects and career than I would have had he never been cast at all. He must have his reasons but I’d love it if he changed his mind during the next year or so.

    Reply
  15. foreverjune says

    September 7, 2012 at 6:13 am

    Sorry to hear that .. never say never? oh, well !?!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Everything Else We Learned About Doctor Who Today - Page 4 says:
    March 22, 2012 at 8:22 am

    […] No, he's already made it very clear he doesn't intend to ever return to the role. From last year; Eccleston Says He Won’t Return for Doctor Who‘s 50th Anniversary "one should not bathe in the same river twice", were his words on the […]

    Reply

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