Bad news Whovians!
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63643)
United States
October 29, 2008 6:37pm CST
David Tennant quits as Doctor Who
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7698539.stm
David Tennant is to stand down as Doctor Who, after becoming one of the most popular Time Lords in the history of the BBC science fiction show.
Tennant stepped into the Tardis in 2005, and will leave the role after four special episodes are broadcast next year.
He made the announcement after winning the outstanding drama performance prize at the National Television Awards.
"When Doctor Who returns in 2010 it won't be with me," he said. "Now don't make me cry," he added. "I love this part, and I love this show so much that if I don't take a deep breath and move on now I never will, and you'll be wheeling me out of the Tardis in my bath chair."
'I'll miss it'
Three years was "about the right time" to play the role, he told the BBC in an exclusive interview.
"I think it's better to go when there's a chance that people
might miss you, rather than to hang around and outstay your welcome," he said.
I don't ever want it to feel like a job, so I want to move on when it still feels exciting and fresh
His stint in the show had been "the most extraordinary time, it's been bewildering, life changing, very exciting", he said.
"And just so much fun, such a great show to work on.
"That's one of the reasons I think it's right to take a deep breath and bow out when it's still fun, when it's a novelty.
"I don't ever want it to feel like a job, so I want to move on when it still feels exciting and fresh and that means I'll miss it."
In the last episode, in July, the Doctor had to defeat his enemies the Daleks to save the universe.
Almost 10 million people watched as the Time Lord apparently started the process of regeneration - but did not complete it.
Tennant will appear in a Christmas special, titled The Next Doctor, before filming four more specials in January.
"They'll be the four last stories that I do," he said.
In a sign of his popularity, he was voted best drama performer in a public vote at the National Television Awards.
He has been named most popular actor at the same ceremony for the past two years. That prize has been discontinued this year.
An average of 8.1 million people a week watched the latest series - the fourth since it made a comeback in 2005 - in its Saturday evening slot on BBC One.
'Spectacular' exit
Russell T Davies, executive producer, said: "I've been lucky and honoured to work with David over the past few years - and it's not over yet, the Tenth Doctor still has five spectacular hours left!
"After which, I might drop an anvil on his head. Or maybe a piano. A radioactive piano. But we're planning the most enormous and spectacular ending, so keep watching."
A fifth series of the show is scheduled for 2010.
Tennant replaced Christopher Eccleston, who resurrected the show after a 16-year break.
He started his career in theatre and in recent months has returned to the stage with well-received performances in Hamlet and Love's Labour's Lost for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
In December last year, Tennant denied rumours that he was planning to quit after Catherine Tate - his new companion in the Tardis - told the Jonathan Ross radio show she thought the next series of Doctor Who would be Tennant's last.
He said at the time: "Catherine Tate stitched me up good and proper. She goes on Jonathan Ross and makes up a load of old nonsense."
So sad! But David was holding out for a movie and I guess he didn't get it!
3 people like this
7 responses
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
5 Nov 08
I will miss david tennant as the doctor. I do think he is a great doctor. I am glad they got rid of Martha.
2 people like this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
8 Nov 08
I have not seen any with donna is she the run away bride?
2 people like this
@CarlKnittel (692)
• United States
22 Dec 08
In the old days a doctor would average around 6 years before leaving the show. The average companion didn't last more than about 2 years. Universally they would say something like "there are only so many ways to ask, 'what do you mean doctor?'"
The new series has made the companions much more capable in line with Ramana, who was a fellow Time Lord. Captain Jack made an interesting companion because he was an experienced and capable space traveler with time travel capabilities of his own. Instead of being a burden to constantly rescue he was just as likely to do the rescuing. Rose, Martha and Donna were less capable than Jack but much more capable than traditional companions. It's been a definite improvement. On the other hand it's the only time I remember a companion outlasting a doctor(in Rose's case). Some have crossed over from one to the next but she's the only one I can think of who held the job longer than the actor playing the Doctor, at least until the return of Sarah Jane Smith.
2 people like this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
31 Oct 08
It's only very recently that I've started watching the odd Dr Who episode, so it's a shame that David Tennant is quitting now. I'd not seen it since I was a child when the curly haired chap (who's name utterly escapes me but will no doubt come to me as soon as I press post!) played the part.
2 people like this
@CarlKnittel (692)
• United States
22 Dec 08
Curly dark hair(Tom Baker)or shorter with curly light(nearly blonde)hair(Colin Baker-no relation to Tom except both being Doctors)?
1 person likes this
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
30 Oct 08
nooooo!! oh man now im super bummed! i was already down in the dumps from hearing the news that we would have to wait a year until the next season. and being that im in the US..i doubt if we will get to see the specials! i dont recall seeing any episode that specified that it was one of the specials. i did see the Kylie Monogue one..was that last seasons special?
dang it, ok now im bummed and miffed. do they have any idea of who is going to be the new Doctor? he cant ever live up to Tennant, but shoot who could right? lol!
@CarlKnittel (692)
• United States
22 Dec 08
BBC/Lionheart brought back the Doctor in partnership with Sci-Fi network. That gave them the budget and the effects resources to make the new series work. I seriously doubt that SciFi will let those specials slip by without using that partnership to get those movies on the air in the US.
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
31 Oct 08
He has been my favorite Doctor so far. Hubby liked Chris Eccleston best but he got used to Tennant. I've been surprised he's been around as long as he has. The story line last year made us believe that he was leaving anyway. Then he was back, surprise surprise! It's time for a new Doctor so Who-ever they chose, I hope he does as good of a job as the last two!
2 people like this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
30 Oct 08
I'm going to miss him. He was one of the greatest Doctors, yet. We'll have to see who they choose to fill his very large shoes. I think his presence as the Doctor really revamped the whole franchise. It's going to be so strange seeing someone else fill his shoes, especially after so long a hiatus. I can understand what he's saying, but it's hard for me to see the fans turning on him after another series. Whovians are a loyal breed. God knows we've stuck with the series through quite a lot.
I wish him the best of luck, though. As long as whatever he does next makes to American T.V. I need my David Tennant fix.
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
25 Nov 08
Thanks. I don't know about finding them on this side of the pond, but I'll certainly look. Meanwhile, BBCAmerica is showing the Catherine Tate season of Dr. Who, so I get my fix once a week. It's bittersweet, knowing what I know, but at least I have time to get acclimated. Got my fingers crossed about the specials. I know I won't be seeing them for quite some time. Grrrr.
2 people like this
@sandra966 (269)
• Spain
31 Oct 08
Yeah I heard this too.
I was really upset. I taped the news and showed it to my 8 year old the following day, and she was so upset she had tears in her eyes!
I think he has been the best one so far, and like someone just mentioned they've done a brilliant job of finding really good actors to play the role, so I hope their lucky streak holds up.
What made the announcement worse is that with the partial re-generation last year we thought when he came back it would be for a long while.
Very sad news, but lets face it - he can pick what he wants to do at the mo, and that might not be the case if he stays too long. I wish him well.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
31 Oct 08
I agree. I think he's at a point where he can pick his roles. He's been "discovered" and after doing Shakespear with Stewart, he can pretty much do as he pleases. I think Steven Moffett will do a good job picking a new Doctor, he's another fan so... I wish him luck!
1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
30 Oct 08
Hi ElicBxn,
Althoug I haven't watched Dr Who since I was a child, I understand David Tennasnt has a massive fan as Dr. Who. I have just heard on the news that the next Dr. Who might be Robert Carlyie or james Nesbett.
Tamara
2 people like this