David Tennant has officially tendered his resignation as the titular Time-Lord in the BBC series Doctor Who. Tennant made the announcement Wednesday evening while appearing via video at the National Television Awards. Concerning leaving the iconic role, Tennant had the following to say:
“I’ve had the most brilliant, bewildering and life changing time working on Doctor Who. I have loved every day of it. It would be very easy to cling on to the TARDIS console forever and I fear that if I don’t take a deep breath and make the decision to move on now, then I simply never will. You would be prising the TARDIS key out of my cold dead hand. This show has been so special to me, I don’t want to outstay my welcome.
“This is all a long way off, of course. I’m not quitting, I’m back in Cardiff in January to film four special episodes which will take Doctor Who all the way through 2009. I’m still the Doctor all next year but when the time finally comes I’ll be honoured to hand on the best job in the world to the next lucky git – whoever that may be.
“I’d always thought the time to leave would be in conjunction with Russell T. Davies and Julie Gardner who have been such a huge part of it all for me. Steven Moffat is the most brilliant and exciting writer, the only possible successor to Russell and it was sorely tempting to be part of his amazing new plans for the show. I will be there, glued to my TV when his stories begin in 2010.
“I feel very privileged to have been part of this incredible phenomenon, and whilst I’m looking forward to new challenges I know I’ll always be very proud to be the Tenth Doctor.”
Additionally, on the BBC News Site, Tennant further said, “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.
“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.”
Regarding David Tennant, outgoing Doctor Who producer Russell T. Davis 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!”
You can see a video with David Tennant that also includes a preview for the forthcoming Christmas Special, “The Next Doctor”, here. No word yet on who’ll be the eleventh Doctor, but Paterson Joseph is the favorite among the rumor-mongers. Personally, I’m sad to see Tennant go as he was perfect in the role. However, being a fan of the show for nearly 35 years I am always excited by the prospect of an upcoming regeneration and a new Doctor and I think Paterson Joseph would be an excellent choice to take over the show.
Stay tuned, we’ll update as we get more info!
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