David Tennant quits 'Doctor Who'; is Russell Tovey the next Time Lord?

Truly sad news just came across the Atlantic. The BBC has an exclusive interview with video announcing that the 10th (and maybe the best) actor to play Doctor Who is moving on.

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."

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.

More from the BBC article:

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."

After the mourning period comes the obvious question: Who's the best person to play the Time Lord now? The BBC has a second article with an interesting suggestion from one of the key architects of the recent revival of the good Doctor.

"Doctor Who" writer Russell T Davies has suggested who he thinks should replace David Tennant as the next Time Lord. In e-mails serialised in The Times newspaper, Davies said Russell Tovey, who appeared in Alan Bennett's play "The History Boys," would fit the role.

The creator, who leaves the show next year as lead writer and executive producer, said he thought Tovey was "going to be huge" and is "amazing". Davies also revealed he had wanted JK Rowling to star in a Christmas special.

"Who" fans might know that Tovey was in last year's Christmas special in which he played a midshipman (photo on right), but his most notable performance to date was on stage and in the film "History Boys." You can see him below, third from the right.

 

This will be a hot topic for months. Any suggestions who else might be good to hop aboard into the Tardis?

-- Geoff Boucher

Credits: Photo by Adrian Rogers/Sci Fi shows David Tennant as Doctor Who in the episode "The Family of Blood, Part 2." Russell Tovey photo from last year's Christmas special, courtesy of Sci Fi. "History Boys" photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight.

Comments

[Whovian]

Not since Tom Baker (previously the most popular Doctor in the original series) Have I enjoyed the long running , and revived series "Dr. Who" more. While I understand there could be reasons that justify this, and certainly the decision is Mr Tennants, I will miss him as the Doctor. But to be fair I was starting to like Christopher Eccleston as the first doctor of the new series, when they brought in Tennant. Having seen his short appearance in Harry Potter: The goblet of fire, (Bartie Crouch junior) I gave him a chance. And was glad I did. I'll miss him, he had the same quirky sense of humor as Baker, and at times I felt he was channeling him, but after all it was the same Dr. inside, just a new look each time he regenerated.

He'll be a tough act to follow in my opinion.

[Danielle]

I'm crushed!!! He's the best doctor so far . . . I suppose all good things must come to an end at some point though. They should bring back Christopher Eccleston though! He was the second best!

[Damian Phoenix]

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LEAVE DAVID.. PLEASE DON'T! I have always loved Dr. Who (Even when if first came out), so PLEASE don't leave the role of Doctor! You have made Doctor Who. It will NEVER be the same without you! Sad as it may seem, I even had a little tear in my eye when I read this :(

PLEASE DON'T LEAVE. I mean this Honestly and respectfully.

[Francis Sullivan]

It's got to be Donna, using the infernal logic of science fiction., as the new Doc. Imagine the Doc learning to be a woman AND saving the world. The story possibilities are staggering...and it's about time a woman got the chance, anyway.

[Donna]

Tovey is in fact third from the right in the History Boys photo.

[Debby]

I am devestated that David Tennant is quitting as Dr Who. I think that he has been the best so far .... I absolutely love him to bits.

[Natalie]

Could not belive my ears last night on The National Television Awards when David Tennant had announced that he was not coming back in 2010!! but i will support him on whatever he does now cuz i love him so much!! His acting skills are outstanding! Im sad to say that i dont think that i will keep watching Doctor Who now as David Tennant will not be starring in it, I would love him to come back and see Donna remember about them travelling in the tardis and mabie see them die together as they never really had a real love connection but I'l have to see how they kill of David Tennant, better not be disapointing!
Well dont DOCTOR WHO FOR WINNINING AND CONGRATS TO DAVID TENNANT!!! voted for u xo
Love Doctor Who number 1 fan! Natalie !!

[Roshan]

bummer

[Geoff Boucher]

Donna hey thanks, I fixed that, was typing fast and apparently forgot my right from left:-)

[Alice]

DON'T LEAVE DAVID I LOVE YOU MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF I DONT KNOW HOW I WILL LIVE ON WITHOUT SEEING YOU AS MY DOCTOR !! I LOVE YOU!! DON'T GO :( x

[Kim]

:(
He is amazing as the doctor....its going to be really hard for the next actor to follow

if he really does'nt want to leave then he should't
we will be super happy if he stays

[davinf anthony]

with all respect to every woman - i do not want a female doctor. Donna did a stunning role as the doctor donna, but i really dont want a female doctor. I do not mean this in a sexist way and if you knew me you would know that i would never be a biggot in any way, but there should not be a female doctor. It wouldnt work - and it would ruin it for every boy out there - its one of the few male shows still out there and i think it is great for woman to watch it - and to star in it - but not as the doctor. The doctor should stay male. A female doctor whould be terrible. The characteristics of the male doctors ar just what is needed. Please understand that i am not trying to be sexist. Honestly, this just looks like another femenist act. another pointless way to show womans indipendance when they clearly already have it. THE DOCTOR SHOULD STAY MALE. Yet again i apologise for any insults. They are not purposefull.

also PLEASE DAVID, DONT LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Glen]

On the upside, he will be the first Doctor to be able to come back into the show, don't forget there is still another one in Rose's dimension, let's hope there is a cameo role for him some time in the future. We'll miss you David, best Doctor ever.

[jo orchard]

It Cant be true!! David cant leave yet there is still so much for him to do!!! He could easily go on for another 3 years. it just wont be as good! the magic will go out of Doctor who again! a couple of the doctors were awful, soooo corney i could not bear to watch it anymore, the best doctor since peter davidson, Ecleston was quite good. It gave a hard working person something to lookforward to on a saterday night. A little boy, now in my care used to dream that the doctor and rose were his mum and dad, when he was in foster care. It gave him hope that got him through some very tough times. Now David will be leaving our tv screens prematurely, i am totally hacked off, gutted, and sad. i have not enjoyed a tv programme like this probably all my life, i dont watch much tv, i flick through the programmes and its all rubbish............... shattered jo

[Caiti]

personally i'm voting for Johnathon Rhys-Meyers or Johnny Depp :D ---- not that it'll be an easy act to follow, he's certainly made it his own!!

[darling]

Well, I never could get into Dr. Who until I fell for David Tennant. I will most likely go back to not watching the show now that he's leaving. Such a shame. I hope David lands somewhere else where I can enjoy his good looks and acting talents.

[jb lippman]

How about keeping it in the family and handing the gig to Billie Piper's hubbie, Laurence Fox? Tall, handsome...or Callum Blue who has proven his ability with humor and patter...

[Nina]

If David really must go, the sting from his departure would be much less painful if the Doctor regenerated into MARTIN FREEMAN, star of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. His comic sensibility and talent are perfect for this role.

[Michael David Atkinson]

No, Russell Tovey is NOT the next Doctor Who. This was merely Davies saying he's a good actor in his book. For heaven's sake, Davies will hav left so it's not even up to him anymore!

[Diana Sholl]

davinf anthony that is a sexist thing to say. It is not a boys show and is not for the boys. The characteristics that make David Tennant popular in the role are in actual fact his feminine characteristics idiot.

[Terry Doyle]

Writing from the UK. Remember David still has another year as the Doctor. That gives Steven Moffatt a year to think of a replacement. It probably won't be any of the actors suggested...I think he will surprize us....

[Sophie Collins]

Oh I just love him. I loved him from the moment he was disappointed about not being ginger, through the whole time in fell in love with Rose right up to the moment he said goodbye to Donna in that heart wrenching way. He will always be my Doctor. I'm crushed he's going but as he rightly says, it's time. I almost wished he sorted it out sooner so we didn't have to have a year break. Dr Who without David Tennant is better than no Dr Who at all. I've had to resort to watching Strictly Come Dancing for my family entertainment. It's just not right.

I will miss him but I fully trust the wonderful Dr Who people to make his exit fantastic and to make the new guy (or girl, wouldn't that be fun, i don't really agree davinf anthony, a woman can be the Dr, as no two Dr's are the same and then, on a personal level, we can have a larger variety of stunning male sidekicks. Mmmm.)

Anyway, whoever it is, one thing is for sure, they certainly will have to do a lot to not make me miss that cheeky grin every time I see the wonderful blue box....

[Big who fan!]

my god, I was gutted to hear it... at least he's saying a proper goodbye with the 4 episodes in '09. He's got such energy and feeling!

Who's next? Bill Bailey? Russel Brand? (...maybe not. lol)

I don't think the next one could ever be as good - it's just so upsetting to see him go!

[Melanie White]

Sorry you are going David you have made staying in on a Saturday evening worthwhile and gave me something to look forward to during the week. I hope the next Dr Who will be a worthy replacement.

[Door]

It's always hard to lose one of the Doctor's regenerations. Both David and Ten will be sorely missed. I hope to see James Nesbitt as Eleven after his recent (and utterly brilliant) turn in the BBC's Jekyll, but I'll tune in to the programme regardless.