Dr Who Quits! (merged)

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Examinus

31-03-2005

Christopher Eccleston has quit the show.

He said he didn't want to be typecast. I don't blame him really.

Shame, he was quite good at it too.

Quote:
“Actor Christopher Eccleston has quit as Doctor Who after just one series, it was announced tonight.

The star, who has appeared in television drama Cracker and hit film, Shallow Grave, is worried about being typecast.

He is also planning new projects and found filming the series gruelling.

In a statement issued through the BBC, Eccleston said: “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.”

Former pop star, Billie Piper, will return in the role of the Time Lord’s assistant, Rose, in the next raft of shows.

Meanwhile, the BBC confirmed it was in talks with actor David Tennant, the star of the drama Casanova, which is currently showing on BBC3, as a possible replacement for Eccleston.

Earlier today, the BBC announced it had commissioned the second series.

The corporation is also planning a Dr Who Christmas special, which will feature Eccleston, following the sci-fi show’s triumphant return on Saturday.

Jane Tranter, BBC head of drama commissioning, said she made the decision yesterday.

Dr Who launched its new 13-part run this weekend on BBC1, following a 16-year hiatus.

With 9.9 million viewers, it successfully beat the might of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

The lead writer on the new Doctor Who series, Russell T Davies, will also write the Christmas special.”

Source: http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4329865

Joyitude

31-03-2005

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...d.php?t=204466

Examinus

31-03-2005

Originally Posted by cifpower:
“http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...d.php?t=204466”

I think this deserved a new thread

StoneColdSaysSo

31-03-2005

Dr Who? ha ha sorry couldn't resist!

paul_hadley

31-03-2005

That is a shame, he was quite good in episode one.

crowby1

31-03-2005

This is crazy!!!!!

He announces this just after episode 1 of the new series??? What a way to put a damper on it.

Examinus

31-03-2005

To be honest I didn't think he was too fantastic. Seemed a little cheesy to be but then again im not the biggest Christopher Eccleston fan.

I spose in a roll that big though its very easy for it to typecast you.

Newcastle

31-03-2005

Why would you ask for the job if you were worried about becoming type cast

Soulrebel1980

31-03-2005

Damn! just typed up the news from ITV teletext in another subject! sorry guys! mods, delete my other subject pleasum!

crowby1

31-03-2005

Originally Posted by Newcastle:
“Why would you ask for the job if you were worried about becoming type cast ”

Exactly what I was thinking! You have to be prepared for that to happen before entering into the role. Its the same as James Bond. Its part of the package. If you are that concerned with typecasting you shouldn't have taken it on. I am really angry about this...

Digi Man

31-03-2005

Bring back Tom Baker.

craigja

31-03-2005

Originally Posted by crowby1:
“This is crazy!!!!!

He announces this just after episode 1 of the new series??? What a way to put a damper on it.”

Well it has been announced tonight because the SUN has an exclusive interview with Ecclestone in which he has said he will quit at Christmas.

So the BBC has had to admit the story is correct

witchcraft

31-03-2005

Originally Posted by crowby1:
“This is crazy!!!!!

He announces this just after episode 1 of the new series??? What a way to put a damper on it.”

It was all looking very good for Dr Who, and then this

Doing it just after the first of the new shows was on the BCC is a total SH##er. The Dr only as X amount of lives also and there coming almost to a end. This is madness did the BBC not make sure that he was tied in with at least a 3 year contract.

Examinus

31-03-2005

Originally Posted by Digi Man:
“Bring back Tom Baker.”

I second that!

dafydd

31-03-2005

It's very silly of him, but I've always thought he didn't quite know what he was taking on. Or maybe he just wants more money.

If he stays for the Christmas episode, at least all the new viewers will be able to enjoy a regeneration at the start of the next series.

crowby1

31-03-2005

I like the idea of the guy from Casanova as a replacement as stated elsewhere on here. He is a bit young maybe but could be another Peter Davison type doctor. I'm still shocked that Eccleston has chucked the towel in already. This is the type of thing that cursed Dr Who in its later years. Many said that Davison quit too early and Colin Baker did not get enough time for people to get used to his Doctor.

Eccleston should have signed on for at least 3 series or not at all. I don't think he could be a true Dr Who fan himself due to the way he has approached this.

Newcastle

31-03-2005

Im sure it would have been better for the average viewer not to know this so soon into the new series! For anyone watching from now on I think its always going to be in the back of their minds that he's going to be leaving in x amount of episodes.

Mark.

31-03-2005

He'll be there for the rest of the series - that's already been filmed. He was good in the first episode I thought.

No idea what David Tennant is like as an actor.

banksy_9

31-03-2005

is this the shortest amount of time for an actor to play dr who? one season?

Digi Man

31-03-2005

Originally Posted by Newcastle:
“Im sure it would have been better for the average viewer not to know this so soon into the new series! For anyone watching from now on I think its always going to be in the back of their minds that he's going to be leaving in x amount of episodes.”

It wont bother me, I will still be watching all of the episode's. Cant wait for the Daleks.

Scissor*Sister

31-03-2005

My mum thinks they should get in Richard E Grant.

I personally think that he'd be quite good as Dr Who.

Darklight

31-03-2005

When it was announced CE would play the doctor I posted on DS that I thought he was the wrong choice because I could not see him actually commiting to the role on a long term basis (more than two series), for fear of being typecast.

I can only assume that CE didn't grasp "the baggage" that went with being "dr who".

I think this is a blow to "dr who" (the program) but it will get over it. However I feel quite strongly that the next doctor will have to be able commit to three or more series

Vicky7

31-03-2005

Silly silly man!

Why take on one of the most famous roles in tv if you intend too give it up again so quickly for fear of being typecast. Did he not realise that was a possibility before he signed on the dotted line.

This has tainted he rest of this series for me now. I was warming to him as the doctor already and loved the first one.

Where's Tom Baker?

bigstunnerdude

31-03-2005

Lets have Philip Brodie as Dr Who should be interesting.

witchcraft

31-03-2005

Originally Posted by Scissor*Sister:
“My mum thinks they should get in Richard E Grant.

I personally think that he'd be quite good as Dr Who.”

Richard E Grant would be the best Dr ever.

Tell the BBC Now....

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