SFX: the leading science fiction, fantasy and horror magazine

Bugger! Watched him say it, he looked quite moved, as you would I suppose. I'll really really miss him in the role. Oh well... Onwards and upwards! Who's going to be Doctor eleven!?

Posted by The Shape (127.0.0.1) on October 29, 2008 at 09:42 PM GMT #

Well, The Sun will be rubbing their hands together with glee. This'll keep 'em in bogus Who stories for months!

Posted by Wyld Karde (127.0.0.1) on October 29, 2008 at 10:01 PM GMT #

DAVIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!

Posted by xtremecnc (127.0.0.1) on October 29, 2008 at 10:16 PM GMT #

Arguably THE BEST DOCTOR EVER will get one of the best exits EVER. Good luck Mr Tennant, you will be missed!!

Posted by LEE JONES (127.0.0.1) on October 29, 2008 at 10:17 PM GMT #

But did he really want to leave?

Posted by James Nethersole (127.0.0.1) on October 29, 2008 at 10:55 PM GMT #

Well they better show how he meets River Song, before he finishes or that will screw up the continuity of the show.

Posted by Apollo-x (127.0.0.1) on October 29, 2008 at 11:19 PM GMT #

Well so RTD's farewell coincides with the leaving of a very well loved Doctor.

More than ever Moffat got his work cut out for him. As long as he steers clear of the PC notion that the Doctor should be female or coloured. Like 007 the Doctor should remain faithfull to his roots.

Posted by saint mark (127.0.0.1) on October 29, 2008 at 11:44 PM GMT #

I was hoping that we would see David in at least the first few episodes of Moffat's season. Shame.

Posted by Paul H (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 12:58 AM GMT #

I knew this would happen but i am still really upset about it. david has been THE BEST doctor and i will miss him when he goes. Can't think who will replace him but he has pretty big boots to fill whoever he may be.

From what i saw last night, this is David decision, the BBC wanted him to stay as he made the show his own. He did say if he didn't leave now, he never will and would play the doctor till he died.

I look forward to the 2009 specials and i say good luck David for the future and thank you for what, to me has been the finest doctor ever.

I going to have a little cry now.......

Posted by Taz (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 07:59 AM GMT #

Very sad about this.

Tom Baker is MY Dr. but David has come exceptionally close to eclipsing him. I shall miss him very much. Hopefully a special including Dr's 7 - 10 can be written sometime in the future.

Good luck to David, I look forward to the forthcoming specials with excitment and now a tinge of sadness...

Though perhaps the Daily Nazi can have an effect on the UK public..hell if they can get Brand and Ross suspended it's worth a go isn't it?

Posted by Mr Speed (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 08:34 AM GMT #

Good news
Russell Brand quits
Bad news
Could be next Dr Who?
OMG!

Posted by Zoltan (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 08:42 AM GMT #

Whoever gets the role now that Tennant is moving on will have one of a hell big pair of boots to fill. The tenth Doctor has been one of my favourite Doctors, pushing Tom Baker for my all time favourite if I'm honest. Tennant has made the role his own and been taken to the heart of the nation. It will be a sad loss to the show but we've still got those five more episodes to enjoy of the tenth Doctor and how exciting and sad is that last episode going to be. And it's going to be excellent to get to know a new Doctor scripted by Moffat!

Let the endless speculation begin....

And for the last time River Song's Doctor was not the tenth Doctor, it was a future incarnation of the Doctor....how many times?

Posted by The Naysayer (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 08:51 AM GMT #

Just been thinking about the logistics of this. Presumably Moffat is going to want his first episode of series 5 to start with a clean slate, as such, introducing his Doctor and his first meeting with a new companion. Taking into account that the tenth Doctor will now have to regenerate at the end of the last special, he will be companionless, so does that mean he will be on his own? If so, whom is Tennant going give his farewell speech to? Is Moffat then going to have to deal with the subsequent unstable, newly regenerated Doctor in his first episode or will we meet the new Doctor at a later date when he’s fully recovered i.e. as Eccleston was in Rose? One thing is for sure, it’s going to be interesting. I don’t envy RTD and Moffat trying to figure out how to play this one?

Posted by The Naysayer (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 09:23 AM GMT #

At times he was brilliant, and at other times he was cringeworthy (a bit like RTD's stories) but on the whole he was a good Doc. However, with a new showrunner, who as I understand it will be doing some very different stuff to RTD, the time is right for someone new. Good luck to him and RTD, but more importantly, bring on the Moff and Who?

Posted by Jaffa (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 09:31 AM GMT
Website: http://www.rockcard.co.uk #

Eccleston's Doctor was not fully regenerated in 'Rose' - the comment "New ears - weird!" was a bit of a giveaway, don't you think?

Posted by Zarjaz Sputnik (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 10:26 AM GMT #

Thought this was probably coming but still a shame. Ecclestone was great but it was David Tennant who really brought the character of the Doctor back into people's hearts. I'm sure they will make a good choice for replacement (hopefully avoiding the trap of choosing a big name and going for another talented and exciting actor). Also, they have left the door wide open for DT to cameo as the alternative Doctor from the last series. It would be interesting to see how that Doctor gets on living as a human, aging and dealing with the fact that he will one day have to die.

Posted by Meillion (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 10:31 AM GMT #

The point I was trying to make was that he was hardly in the usual post regenerative state we usual find a new Doctor i.e. acting eratically, was he? One comment about his ears was hardly the sixth Doctor trottling Peri was it, smart ar*e!

Posted by The Naysayer (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 10:40 AM GMT #

Very sad news, he was, for me the best doctor and will be greatly missed. Guess i will make the most of these specials next year and see what Moffat can do in 2010. You got one hell of a job on your hands Mr Moffat, surpasssing RTD and david is not going to be easy.

Just couldn't resist another RTD dig could you Jaffa, You really need to get over yourself, we know you've no taste, you don't need to reiterate it every opportunity you get.

Posted by Al (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM GMT #

Not a who fan but it is a pity when any series loses a good actor. with the senanegans in the beeb at the mo, you could get anyone as the new doctor, they might even use rossy.
I hope that they get someone suitable for the role, even if it has to be put on hold for a year or 2 rather than rushing in a with an unsuitable replacement

Posted by David (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 12:19 PM GMT #

Richard Coyle as the Doctor?

Posted by Spiw (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 12:42 PM GMT #

Gutted! I'm absolutely gutted!
As soon as I heard he was doing Hamlet last year, I knew there was something going on though... the moment has been prepared for.

Posted by Michael Reid (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 01:54 PM GMT
Website: http://www.reidnet.org.uk #

Time for a fat doctor! Philip Seymour Hoffman as the new DW.

Posted by BukaHobbit (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 01:55 PM GMT
Website: http://bombastandthunder.blogspot.com #

What a great opportunity the Beeb have to go back to casting the Doctor the JNT way.... just hoping Russell Grant is still live and kicking...

Posted by paul stephens (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 02:39 PM GMT #

It's a shame. Changing actors can knock a show but staying too long might result in the same problem as the actors following Tom - they didn't really have a chance until the series took a lengthy break. It's weird, Tennant ticked all the boxes and seems born to play the role but I can't say he was ever my favourite Doctor or anything like it. Too many toe-curling moments IMO but a charismatic leading man all the same.

Posted by Rob (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 03:02 PM GMT #

While this was a long time coming - & tying it into RTD & Julie Gardner's departures makes sense - I just wish it was done differently. I can only imagine what it would feel like watching the final special & not knowing a regen was coming. Now we have a year of speculation & rumour mongering.

Hopefully they'll sign a talented actor nae one has heard of with a five year contract. We can hope.

Still, gives Moffat a challenge eh?

Posted by Red Ken (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 03:10 PM GMT #

devastated that dt is leaving but dont know why since it the worst kept secret ever!! gave us one of the best doctors ever and for that we are forever grateful.
read in the paper that possible replacement touted is jason statham...i will refrain from any comment apart from let the rumours begin!!!

Posted by dogmatix (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 03:34 PM GMT #

The one thing I hate about this is the endless speculation we are now going to have to suffer through for the next few months?

How many more times will have to hear the names Alan Davies, Eddie Izzard, Stephen Fry, Anthony Head, James Nesbitt, Richard Coyle, Jason statham???, banded about.

Lets face it, Moffat is not a mug, he knows and loves Who, he's not going to cast Jason bloody Statham as the character he has loved since he was a child and who he has now got the chance to mould as his own. My guess is that it will be another relatively unknown, up and coming actor, like Tennant was when he took the role.

Posted by The Naysayer (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 04:06 PM GMT #

Well suppose it was goning to happen sooner or later, ole daves been a pretty good doc, not the best but good-as to his replacement we now have 14 months of newspapers photoshopping whoever the flavour of the month is DTs body. As to the next actor being from an ethnic minority. No problems with that providing that he's chosen because hes a good actor who can handle the role and not because some BBC manager decides in a meeting thatthe show must 'more inclusive'. As the show is the corporations flagship I suspect a lot of thought is going to go into n0 11.My suggestion at the mo is Richard Armitage whos attractive enogh to keep the shows newly won female fan base but can also act. If its jeniffer Saunders then im sodding giving up.

Posted by spg (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 06:01 PM GMT #

He wasn't my favourite Doctor but it's sad to seem him go.

For a successor, I'd like to fully endorse the current favourite: Paterson Joseph. His performance as the Marquis de Carabas in Neverwhere should be considered his audition in my opinion.

Posted by Adam (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 07:02 PM GMT #

Sad to see him go, but it is alway best to go out on top.

As for the 11th doctor how about Robert Downey Jr.

Posted by Apollo-X (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 07:34 PM GMT #

My vote would go to Alan Davies

Posted by Colanzo (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 07:39 PM GMT
Website: http://www.sfx.co.uk/trackback/sfx/Weblog/david_tennant_quits_doctor_who #

Any suggestion people make for the 11th doctor is certain to garuntee they won't be considered - remember how left-field Eccleston was? Whoever takes the job will never have been thought of, never the less - Richard Armitage (Lucas in Spooks whhich restarted this week) or Jack Davenport (Norington, Pirates of the Carribean)

Posted by Jonathan McMachon (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 08:02 PM GMT #

Any chance we can have Eccleston back? :p

Posted by Slyly Winking Steam-powered Hamster (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM GMT #

Well, reading about the Christas Special last issue, I can't say I'm too surprised.

Thing is, If we keep going at this rate, we'll run out of Doctor's by 2015. Unless they've got one hell of a curveball planned. More to the point, how are they going to fit River Song into all this? Silence/Forest seemed to imply Tennant was going to keep the Screwdriver for a while longer, so he can "grow old" with her.

You know, as much as I enjoy and respect Tennant in the role, is it too much to ask for Eccleston back, just for a special?

Posted by Bobcat (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 09:49 PM GMT #

Well, it was always going to happen. Christopher Eccleston rejuvinated Dr Who, and his time with Rose Tyler recreated the whole of the Dr Who mythos. David Tennant took over and in all honesty I felt he was going to be Dr Who "Lite" after his first few giggling, gurning episodes. How wrong I was. With Rose, Martha, and finally Donna, David Tennant's Who took me back to my glory days of Tom Baker, and SURPASSED them!!

I wasn't sure Dr Who would work again with Eccleston, then felt Tennant would not be up to standard. I was wrong on all counts. Russell T Davies guided the series in exactly the direction it needed to go to be accepted in todays ever so choosy TV world.

Despite my sadness at the exodus of both Russel T Davies and now David Tennant, I have the greatest faith that Steven Moffat will provide every bit as much entertainment as I have been priveliged to watch, over the last four series. BRING IT ON!!! John.

Posted by John Robbo (127.0.0.1) on October 30, 2008 at 10:46 PM GMT #

Very, very sad to hear that David Tennant is going, he has become my favourite doctor now for sure. I hope he really is doing the four specials, I know that's what they've all said but Russell T Davies doesn't exactly have a problem with lying. It's a shame that his doctor wont really be able to develope more, as I can't see how they could do anything with a few, spread out episodes. Still, I think I have faith that they'll cast someone good for the next doctor. I think someone has already mentioned a spooks actor, but I'd love to see rupert penry-jones actually. He stayed in spooks for a long time too, so there could be a chance he'd hang on for a long time again, whereas some of the other great names suggested i think will move on fairly quickly.

Posted by Nelly (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 02:13 AM GMT #

It will be really emotional watching David's last story... I'm sure I'll *ahem* get something in my eye at that time, lol. I wonder if we'll meet the new Doctor's companion before he regenerates?

I'd love to see Eccleston - or Paul McGann in a one-off special too, but I don't think it will ever happen. I hope for Doctor #11 they'll go for a slightly older actor... I'd love someone like Bill Nighy. Or someone aged in their mid 30's - 50... I don't want to see a "too young" 25 year old Doctor!

Posted by Steve W (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 03:11 AM GMT #

I thought Tennant's 'goodbye' at the telly awards was hilarious. Like Smashie and Nicey's goodbye from radio whatever. It had me in stitches. Well, it's farewell to the 'scottish socialist' and 'hello' to months of constant speculation as to Who's next? Oh God....

Posted by simon (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 08:46 AM GMT #

So farewell then David Tennant. I'm not really surprised by this news which seems to have been on the cards since RTD announced he was retiring from the show. For me, Tennant is second only to Tom Baker in the role and although he will be missed, leaving the fans wanting more is probably a good career move.

As has been previously pointed out, we're due for months of tabloid speculation where every Tom, Dick and Harriet will be "the bookies favourite" to land the role. I hope they will go for a slightly older actor who doesn't resemble Tennant in the least. This will make it easier for Moffatt to stamp his own authority on the direction of the show as he can essentially start with a clean slate.

I'm not going to suggest who I would like to see play the role, but none of the initial contenders appeal to me at all. There had better not be any gender-swapping either....leave the old boy alone.

Posted by Tom Baker's Scarf (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 09:03 AM GMT #

I would LOVE to see Patrick Stewart as the new Doctor. Or Alan Rickman. Or Gary Oldman. I live in hope....

Posted by Zandra (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 10:51 AM GMT #

I think Sean Pertwee would be awesome. Doubt he would ever do it though. I hope they decided soon, I name all my cats after the aactors who have played The Doctor so will have to get a new one for the Doctor.

There is a rumour flying around that Daniel Radcliff is up for the part and Gary Boast.

Posted by Mr Kleason (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 11:47 AM GMT #

I have it on very good authority that Moff has a shortlist or wishlist of 3 actors

1) Harry Hill
2) Patterson Josepth who has already starredin 2 Dr Who episodes
and thirdly
3) John Simm - The Dr would regnerate into the master's old form and be a edgier/darker Dr

Those are the 2 names being considered at the moment.

Posted by Y Mab Darogan (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 12:06 PM GMT #

Son of a dragon?

Posted by Liz (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 01:44 PM GMT #

Dragon is Draig. Speaking of which let's have a Welsh Doctor! After all the show is shot in Cardiff.

Griff Rhys Jones anyone? No didn't think so.

Posted by Meillion (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 02:52 PM GMT #

since doctor whos return in 2005 i have become a huge fan i watched the show as a child and even bought many classic doctor who stories on video and dvd. but i never had a favourite until doctor#10 david tennent is my doctor.

Posted by patrick corcoran (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 08:52 PM GMT #

I am 33 and feel the same as I did all those years ago when Peter Davidson regenerated into Colin Baker, very sad.
Tennant has had his good and bad moments but he always brought a positive energy to the stories which made them enjoyable and fun to watch. He will be greatly missed, even more so when I start to think who could possibly replace him. Someone who is different enough to mould his own version of the doctor but bring the same energy to the scripts.

There are only two people I can think of at the moment who I can start to think positively about... Simon Pegg & Anthony Head (shame they have both already appeard in the show!)

Thank you David, it has been one hell of a ride!!

Posted by Graham Hudson (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 10:44 PM GMT #

I think most of what's here says it all as far as feelings about David Tennant leaving.

One thing I want to add, Paul McGann was rumored to be considered, which I'm sure is just that, a rumor, but I for one would love to see him get the chance to do the series he never got to do.

I loved his portrayal despite the inconsistencies to the series, and felt badly that he was cheated out of getting to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors.

I think despite him being 12 years older than he was when he did the TV movie, he's been very active as the 8th Doctor on audio and has built up more than enough experience to pull it off on video without having to "feel his way" into the role.

If not him, then I second spg's vote for Richard Armitage. He was one of the first people I considered would be a good choice if DT ever left....:-)

Posted by lsiraco (127.0.0.1) on October 31, 2008 at 11:42 PM GMT #

My bets for the 11th Doctor would be one of Moffat's Coupling guys - Jack Davenport, Richard Coyle, Ben Miles.

Other than that it will be some fairly unknown character actor. Long gone are the days of gimmick and comedian casting.

Whoever it is it will be a reasonably attractive white guy in his thirties to early forties.

Posted by Nick (127.0.0.1) on November 01, 2008 at 12:31 AM GMT #

Sad to see Tennant leave, was hoping that he was gonna do the whole of the 2010 series...never mind!! Doctor no. 11? No hesitation...Michael Sheen...nuff said!!

Posted by carl (127.0.0.1) on November 01, 2008 at 05:20 PM GMT #

Patrick Stewart. Or Jim Broadbent.

Posted by captain boiger (127.0.0.1) on November 02, 2008 at 09:47 PM GMT #

I just found out today. I'm too sad to speculate on who should be the next Doctor. Curse actors and their "it was time to move on" nonsense. Is it just me though or am I right in thinking that timelords only have 13 lives? If so, we're running out of doctors here people!

I would add to the general view that there needs to be an opportunity for Paul McGann and Ecclestone to appear again, particularly the former.

Posted by Ben B (127.0.0.1) on November 03, 2008 at 09:57 PM GMT #

I've had a great idea for one of the specials. It's called "Worst Case Scenario" and it involves the Doctor meeting a couple of potential future versions of himself, just to see how bad (or good) things could get.

I'd love to see Vinnie Jones' take on the Doctor. "Naa, mate, that's not a screwdriver." as he pulls out a sonic the size of a baseball bat.

Whoever it is, they should be about the same age as David Tennant and relatively unknown. I'd never heard of Tennant before he stepped up.
And hopefully they'll slim. Otherwise their first words are likely to be "Blimey, this suit's tight!"

Posted by Bobcat (127.0.0.1) on November 04, 2008 at 10:55 AM GMT #

An older Doctor, definitely. Both my favourites, Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy, have already been mentioned. Nighy was already in the running before Eccleston was cast, hopefully Moffat will (re)consider him.

Posted by Dalek Supreme (127.0.0.1) on November 04, 2008 at 09:32 PM GMT #

Agreed, DS; its got to be an older Doctor this time. The young/cool/sexy/thing needs shaking up a bit. Lets get an old/wise/mad/grumpy Doctor who can face Moffat's eerie foes with some gravitas. Enough gurning for a bit, eh?

Posted by captain boiger (127.0.0.1) on November 05, 2008 at 01:05 AM GMT #

The Master never died he was in the ring. Matt Smith will make a great Doctor. As BBC have been doing this for years and they know what they are doing. I think the time lords are not all dead. The doctor when he comes to the end of his life cycle they will find a way to continue it. After all viewing figures are high and it makes loads of money for the BBC. They be draft to finish it when the Doctor ends his life cycle.

Posted by keyth (127.0.0.1) on May 04, 2009 at 08:38 AM BST #

Categories

Latest Issue

Links

Search

News Feeds

David Tennant quits Doctor Who

Poll

Calendar