Eccleston quits as Doctor Who

POSTED BY: Wren
UPDATED: Tuesday, April 5, 2005 10:38
VIEWED: 6028
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WREN

Thursday, March 31, 2005 8:09 AM

It's a shame, I liked him in the role. Reported by the BBC today:

Eccleston quits Doctor Who role

The first episode of the new Doctor Who was shown on Saturday
Actor Christopher Eccleston has quit as Doctor Who after just one episode of the new series has been screened, the BBC has confirmed.
Eccleston, whose first appearance as the ninth Time Lord attracted around 10 million viewers, feared being typecast.

Talks are taking place to replace him with Casanova star David Tennant.

A second series of the new Doctor Who, which will again be written by Russell T Davies and produced by BBC Wales, has already been commissioned.

Billie Piper, who plays Dr Who's assistant Rose, is expected to star again.

'Incredible reaction'

Eccleston - whose last appearance is expected to be in a Christmas special - said he was also planning new projects and that he found filming the series gruelling.

David Tennant plays BBC Three's legendary lover Casanova

"The audience's response for the new Doctor Who has been incredible and I am really proud to be part of it and I hope viewers continue to enjoy the series," he said in a statement issued through the BBC.

A BBC spokesman said the corporation would issue a formal statement later on Thursday and that it had hoped, rather than expected, that Eccleston would continue in the role.

He said that although talks to make David Tennant the 10th Doctor were taking place, other names may be put forward.

Bill Nighy was also considered for the Eccleston role, while Richard E Grant starred in a BBC web drama version of Doctor Who.

Period drama Casanova, which moves to BBC1 from BBC3 on Monday, added to Tennant's reputation after his success in the drama Blackpool.

'Jittery time'

The BBC announced on Wednesday that it had commissioned the second Doctor Who series, which will again feature 13 episodes.

Billie Piper will once again play Rose in the new series

Russell T Davies said: "It's fantastic news. It's been a tense and jittery time because the production team has been working on plans.

"It's particularly good for BBC Wales. This is a major flagship show for the region, and their staff and crews are the best you could find. It's a tribute to them that Doctor Who is returning."

Dr Who was relaunched last Saturday weekend following a 16-year hiatus.

With 9.9 million viewers, it beat Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

NERVOUSPETE

Thursday, March 31, 2005 9:50 AM

Heigh-ho, I was expecting it. Eccleston is a driven actor, and I think he's trying to find the perfect role. He loves appearing in as many and as varied roles as possible too, so I always felt that although it was cool for him to be our first new Doctor, that he wouldn't really be sticking around.

It's just a shame that someone leaked the news right now, they were probably going to sit upon it until mid series and then announce. Whatever happens, I think that Eccleston's done a great job and wish him every luck in the future.

David Tennant seems a sensible choice, he showed some good acting chops in 'Blackpool' and has that impish yet slightly hurt and brutal look the role requires.

However I would dearly love Patterson Joseph - the Marquis De Carabas from Neverwhere - as the first black Doctor. Not only does he look cool and imposing, is athletic and intense, but he can also switch effortlessly from being a charmer to downright menace. Seeing him in Ibsen's 'The Doll's House' at Warwick Arts Centre proved to me that he's a damn good actor, and his breakdown at the end was real and sympathetic for a character we're not supposed to side with.

Patterson Joseph for the Doctor!

Oh, or Dylan Moran.

"This is my Tardis! Aw, feck! Now I'm going to have to save the world again, and then people will be thanking me, and then I'll have to run and hide, and while I'm away the daleks will invade again and the whole hideous cycle will go on and on and on! It's just not worth it! Here, here's a pen and some milk and some crayons... go save the world yourselves! Go on!"

With Bill Bailey as his assistant. Possibly.

Pete

"If you can keep your head whilst others... eurgh! Ack! I've spilt my ink! Ugh! Ink on my trousers! Agh! Ink on my shirt! My only hope! The window! Aieeeeee!" (Falls to death)
- Jonathan Nash

ZOOT

Thursday, March 31, 2005 10:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by NervousPete:

Heigh-ho, I was expecting it. Eccleston is a driven actor, and I think he's trying to find the perfect role. He loves appearing in as many and as varied roles as possible too, so I always felt that although it was cool for him to be our first new Doctor, that he wouldn't really be sticking around.

It's just a shame that someone leaked the news right now, they were probably going to sit upon it until mid series and then announce. Whatever happens, I think that Eccleston's done a great job and wish him every luck in the future.

David Tennant seems a sensible choice, he showed some good acting chops in 'Blackpool' and has that impish yet slightly hurt and brutal look the role requires.

However I would dearly love Patterson Joseph - the Marquis De Carabas from Neverwhere - as the first black Doctor. Not only does he look cool and imposing, is athletic and intense, but he can also switch effortlessly from being a charmer to downright menace. Seeing him in Ibsen's 'The Doll's House' at Warwick Arts Centre proved to me that he's a damn good actor, and his breakdown at the end was real and sympathetic for a character we're not supposed to side with.

Patterson Joseph for the Doctor!

Oh, or Dylan Moran.

"This is my Tardis! Aw, feck! Now I'm going to have to save the world again, and then people will be thanking me, and then I'll have to run and hide, and while I'm away the daleks will invade again and the whole hideous cycle will go on and on and on! It's just not worth it! Here, here's a pen and some milk and some crayons... go save the world yourselves! Go on!"

With Bill Bailey as his assistant. Possibly.

Pete

"If you can keep your head whilst others... eurgh! Ack! I've spilt my ink! Ugh! Ink on my trousers! Agh! Ink on my shirt! My only hope! The window! Aieeeeee!" (Falls to death)
- Jonathan Nash

Ohhh! Dylan Moran! Dylan Moran!
He'd be fantastic! *dances little jig* - I lurve him!!! And obviously quirky enough to get away with it . . . .

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

SIMONWHO

Thursday, March 31, 2005 10:49 AM

There's a lot of names already being bandied about. Unfortunately as the last casting was so recent, it's pretty much a repeat performance of last time: Nighy, Grant, that guy from Casanova, etc, etc. However, this time around we can point to the 10m viewers that want to watch Doctor Who, might help us snare an even bigger fish.

Of course, I suspect this time they'll have an iron clad contract, insisting they return for two more seasons. Anyway, I hope they cast somebody at least as old as Eccleston because the faint sexual chemistry between Rose and the Doctor must never be realised, or even appear to be realisable. This is Will & Grace territory, it's never going to happen.

My ideal Doctor now? Bill Paterson. He's just got this air about him, he's the right age and he's got a bit of a name behind him, but not too much.

ZOOT

Thursday, March 31, 2005 11:00 AM

Like the idea of Bill Paterson - good call!

Nighy or Grant would just make me sick . . .

Could always go for a small but steadfast name like Ciaran Hinds or such . . .

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

HAWK

Thursday, March 31, 2005 2:16 PM

I'm a little shocked and disappointed by such a momentous setback so early in the proceedings. Not even sure what I think of Eccy as the Doctor yet. He was ok in episode one; something to build upon over the series' course, perhaps?

Ah well.

David Tennant; interesting choice. From what I've seen of BBC3's Casanova he seems to have a healthy sense of fun.

I am however warming to the idea of Sean Pertwee (son of 3rd Doctor John) taking over. He's a charismatic actor with some hollywood credentials, and I think he could manage the mystery and mischief (his tolerance of the Bo' Selecta and Bear's Tail crew attests to a lack of pretension in my opinion).

ZOOT

Thursday, March 31, 2005 2:28 PM

An excellent suggestion - I LOVED him in Cadfael!! And would have such a dynastic sense to it!

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

HAWK

Thursday, March 31, 2005 2:40 PM

Wow, really?

Typically I'm that poor fellow whose ideas are treated with polite silence. Ta, Zoot!

ZOOT

Thursday, March 31, 2005 2:44 PM

Clearly you have been casting your pearls among swine . . .

If friends treat your ideas with polite silence - get new friends . . .

Though, having said that, my ideas are treated not so much with silence as with howls of derisive laughter . . . .

Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.

NEEDLESEYE

Friday, April 1, 2005 5:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Wren:

Eccleston quits Doctor Who role

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Now I'm going to pout for several hours.

Keeper of Jayne's goggles. 8)

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