Make no mistake, there will be NO stunt-casting of the new Doctor. I have every faith they will cast the right person for the job. The people making Doctor Who now are serious about what they're doing and about making the series a mainstream success. These are not the people who thought Bonnie Langford was the way forward.

And for those saying they won't watch it now that they know Eccleston is leaving? See ya! You don't know what you're missing...

Good luck to Eccleston I say - we owe you one.

It's not the end of the world.... that's tomorrow at 7pm and I can't wait.

Odd xx[/quote]


People who criticise Billie Piper should be made to watch Bonnie Langford
Piper is quite the best companion in a very, very long time.

Eccleston's presence and his reinvention of the Doctor (the whole point of regeneration is for the actor to reinterprate the character) have breathed new life into Dr Who. His effect will be lasting and very positive.

I rate him alongside the first five Doctors (the great ones).

Now there's a thing I didn't know!

Time Mr. Head got a chance then, isn't it?

It wasn't Bonnie's fault - the producers just wanted her because she could thcweam and thcweam and thcweam

No one will EVER match Sarah Jane, but Rose is up there with the best!

Thanks for the link.


Hmm.....David gets a phone call from some big Hollywood producer during filming of the second series of Doctor Who;

Big Hollwood Producer: "David, we have this role for a new charcter in X-Men 4, would you be interested?"

David Tennant: "Yes, you bet, I'm a big fan of the X-Men. I used to read and collect all of the comics as a kid"

Then during the second episode of series two of this new start, we hear an announcement by David Tennant;
David Tennant: "I've thouroughly enjoyed playing Doctor Who, it's been an experience. But now I seek new challenges. I don't want to end up being typecast, and to be honest I found the work gruelling......seeya"



Oh FFS,...someone please tell me we won't be going through all this next year too.

"....Before his film career takes off"

That comment really instills confidence in me with David Tennant,...very reassuring.

Anyway, I'll try to just go with the flow.

At least there is good news that we won't have to watch Christopher Eccleston dragging his feet during the Christmas special,...and we get to see the new Doctor at the end of the last episode of this series.

Okay, it looks like David Tennant is the Doctor, and we may as well forget all about Anthony Head, or whoever we wanted. David IS the Doctor,..if all the reports are accurate information to go by.
He wasn't my first choice, but that's how it is now. I just wish him all the best and really hope he does the series proud.
And it makes the Christmas Special....err, actually very special indeed.

Although there is a slight worry about David jumping ship very soon too, which is possible,....I do hope that we get the new Doctor for at least 2 series.

I am actually quite excited that we may see the new Doctor very soon indeed. End of episode 13...that's great news really.
Quite an exciting year for Doctor Who.



Excuse the overuse of smileys. there was a lot of mixed emotions going on there.

I may be sceptical, but if Chris E has seen how much dr who has been received and knowing the fans reaction to him leaving, is this just a case that he wants more money for the role and knowing the bbc's attitude for ratings may give him extra money to stay as Dr Who. Why wait till after the first episode to annouce he's leaving, why not mention this at the initial press conference. "Thanks very much for coming, I enjoyed playing the part of the doctor, but I can get better jobs elsewhere. ta ta".

I think he'll be back for series 2.
Trevor

According to the Daily Mail yesterday, he was offered more money to stay but still turned it down.

I'm disappointed Eccleston has left, bringing the Doctor's death closer. But the quality of production on the new series is worthy of consideration, beyond the Doctor. And I look forward to finding out who his replacement will be. I have a question. When the 13th Doctor leaves, can the series continue? Perhaps some credible cloning story, maybe some fanfic over the years has mentioned possible extentions of the timelord's life.

Good point. Perhaps it was the "hoo - hah" in recent weeks that convinced him to get out. If by some chance he has encountered the rather childish reactions to his decision, such as some of those displayed in this thread, then he will probably feel he made the right move.

As for the idea that it was "only a career move" for him. Of course it was. What else would it be? Dr Who is only a TV series and acting is his career. He was not taking Holy Orders. I doubt if there are too many actors out there who are prepared to see playing Dr Who as a vocation rather than just another job.

The Master managed to go past his 13th Incarnation, there are always ways around these things.

Whoever becomes the new Doctor (i hope it will be David Tennant) will have to remember its not just an acting role there is also the conventions to attend and a fan base so large that it will take over a lot of their life for a while (a role for a single man not a family man i think) I have enjoyed all the Doctor who's series since Jon Pertwee there is nothing wrong with CE quitting now it just shows his heart was not in the whole picture and could not cope with just what else the role demanded of his time so the next Doctor should be even better and be able to give the fans just what they need and it should be in the contract, if the person can not fullfill this contract for at least 2 seasons then they are not the right person for the Job. Tom Baker and Elizabeth Sladen were excellent and was involved with all the aspects of Dr. Who and so should the next people.

By the way David Tennant is not the youngest Davidson was and he carried it off pretty well. David is an exceptional actor and could be a credit to the Series if he can give all the time as well to attend everything that comes with being Dr Who, also his size does not matter The Doctor uses his brains not his brawn.

Erm... sorry but its down to the individual whether they attend conventions etc, its not part of the contract. Their job is to make the TV series and thats it.

Maybe its the fandom aspect that CE doesn't like and he didn't realise it would be as intense as it is.

Likewise don't ever expect to see CE starring in any Big Finish material. He's going to walk away from the part like no other person has. When he goes after the Christmas Special the 9th Doctor will be dead as a dodo and even time travel won't bring him back.

How can you be typecast after one series???

I am most unimpressed with Mr Ecclestons behaviour.

He must have known both the workload and image that came with the role before he signed up. The least he could of done would have been to do the show for a couple of years.

Leaving so soon hurts the series when it most needs stability.

In some way I can see why he quit, looking at the responses on this forum and the fan sites.
CE should of course have known how likely he was to become just more than a doctor to a few. Of course there are perks with getting the role, a known income and constant work, but a three/four year stint would be quite an undertaking for anybody. He is however relying on a number of writers to come up with material to remain entertaining to viewers, and on an awful lot of background crew to keep his character popular.
On the flip of the coin however, some people really would have difficulty in believing he is simply an actor doing his job according to a contract. If they expect CE would respond to their fanatical demands to putting on the hat and sonic screwdriver whenver he leaves the house, accept every invite to a convention, and then stalk him if he declines (or even stalk him regardless in person, on websites and in forums), he would have to be made of sterner stuff.

Look at some of the previous incarnations of the DW (Colin Baker as a prime example), and see just how some obsessive maniacs can by mindset alone, pigeonhole a person to a singular character, and cut their chosen lifes career completely.

Its good he has gone now, better to let the individual move on, than run a 30+ year institution into the ground, because of some pathetic regeneration limit.

I think you're right. Here's a link to a story in the Daily Star about how his decision has affected a £50m merchandising deal. Plus a look at tonight's ep.But its the Beeb's own fault for not signing him up for more.

One
Two
Full view of article, including pic of Casanova star and likely replacement

Well im disappointed Chris is leaving so soon, but its his own decision I guess and the BBC's fault for not insisting he sign for at least 2-3 series in the first place.

Any employer who submits to this kind of behaviour would be a fool. No - CE has had it now, it's too late imv. His departure has been announced and that's it. No one is indispensible in any job in this day and age - there are always lots of other people equally capable.

Well, if the reports are true and David Tennant IS taking over, then I for one am delighted.

He is an excellent actor and I feel the role will be in very capable hands.

Typical - you wait 9 years for one Doctor and then two come along at once!

Well I'm slightly annoyed CE has quit so soon but mainly because I felt so drawn to him in the role within 10 mins of him being on screen and was of the thinking he was probably going to end up in my all time top ten of Doctor Who's. He may still do so, I will be watching the rest of the series however sad I am that it's his first and last so I'll judge at the end. Of course being a fan since I was a kid there is the matter of how much the whole thing means to me and other fans and I was kind of hoping he would be committed to it for longer as much as the fan's are committed to it but it isn't to be. Should've have known better really. He is one of my fave actors and I know for one how much his theatre work means to him so with that and all the other roles he will do in the future to be considered he would never have stayed as the doctor for long anyway. Anyway, I've got over the initial disappointment now and wish him all the best and thank him for making such a good start to the new series and putting it back up there. Also for giving a saddo like me something decent to watch on a Saturday night again.

Oh btw, please not David Tennant. He's ok but not a Doctor Who methinks. There are so many established actors out there to consider.

No mean trick as he's number nine! I guess you have high hopes for the longevity of the series!

I agree - CE wasn't ever likely to be in the role long term, but I was hoping for two series, maybe three before a regeneration. I think we can be grateful to him for helping create such a high profile relaunch and hope that the next one to be cast has more staying power. Evidently David Tennant is a big fan, so if they do go that way it might help.

Personally, I'd like to see Mark Gatiss (of The League of Gentlemen' fame take a turn in the TARDIS. He's a fan, a reasonable actor and has also penned episode 3 of the new series. He'd certainly be committed to the role and could write his own stories

They really need someone with a lower profile now who is keen to sign for a few years and grow into the role. Wasn't Tom Baker out of work and on buliding site when cast?

Yes I do and would hate to see it go down the pan again after a couple of seasons.


I don't really rate what I have seen of him so far but time will tell I suppose if he gets the role. I still think there are so many others to consider but maybe not many who would take it on and be committed, and as you say David Tennant is a fan so maybe he would be right for it.


Very good idea.


I believe he was yes.

does anyone know what has happen to philip brodie in dream team and who is the new owner for harchester united

What??????