June 1st, 2013
479 comments
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Official – Matt Smith To Leave Doctor Who
Matt Smith To Leave Doctor Who
The BBC is today announcing that Matt Smith is to leave Doctor Who after four incredible years on the hit BBC One show.
Matt first stepped into the TARDIS in 2010 and will leave the role at the end of this year after starring in the unmissable 50th Anniversary in November and regenerating in the Christmas Special.
During his time as the Doctor, Matt has reached over 30 million unique UK viewers and his incarnation has seen the show go truly global. He was also the first actor to be nominated for a BAFTA in the role.
Matt quickly won over fans to be voted Best Actor by Readers of Doctor Who Magazine for the 2010 season. He also received a nod for his first series at the National Television Awards, before winning the Most Popular Male Drama Performance award in 2012.
Matt has played one of the biggest roles in TV with over 77 million fans in the UK, USA and Australia alone!
Matt Smith says: “Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.
“Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind-bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It’s been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he’s a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.
“The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I’ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I’m back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!
“It’s been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with ‘the ginger, the nose and the impossible one’. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt.”
Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, says: “Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he’d turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently.
“And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him – sometimes literally – his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.
“But great actors always know when it’s time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt – bow ties were never cooler.
“Of course, this isn’t the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now – all unknowing, just going about their business – is someone who’s about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that’s still so exciting!”
Having starred alongside three different companions, Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and most recently Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), Matt’s Doctor has fought Daleks and Cybermen, as well as Weeping Angels in New York. Regularly heard shouting ‘run’ and ‘Geronimo’, through Matt’s Doctor fans have been introduced to a new culinary combination – fish fingers and custard!
Matt’s spectacular exit is yet to be revealed and will be kept tightly under wraps. He will return to BBC One screens in the unmissable 50th anniversary episode on Saturday 23 November 2013 – TUNE IN!
Doctor Who is a BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC One
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ParadigmDalek1325
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:34amJust when my hopes were up for him returning to series 8… Well I guess it was finally time for him to leave. He’s been a wonderful Doctor and I hope he does well in the future!
the impossible boy
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:13amSo sad that Matt is leaving, and annoyed that he was confirmed for series 8 :'( really hope that J-Lou is back as Clara Oswald though. I think she is amazing as a Doctor Who companion. If she does have to leave though, they should cast Sheridan Smith into it, I’ve only heard a couple of her Who audio stories with McGann, but I like the chemistry between them
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:37amShe defiantly is confirmed for next series. She’s only been in 8 episodes anyway do she has to stay longer!
Lea
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:19amI want clara to come back too!
i wonder how she’d react to a new doctor!
Liason Ice
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:56amI want it to be Benedict Cumberbatch, I think he would be the one one to surpass Matt
GingerDoctorMania
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:14amCompletly agree, he would be brilliant and i think he will make a quite a cool and dark doctor, kind of like Sylvester McCoy but a lot younger.
Still I am quite sad that Matts Leaving, because i didnt want him to go i want Moffat to go and hand it over to Mark Gatis.
DalekSupreme Fan
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:17amhe couldn’t be the next doctor as even though it would be good he is known for sherlock and that is his character and he can not be him and the doctor.
GingerDoctorMania
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:47amI know, im just saying it would be cool!
Liason Ice
June 4th, 2013 - 7:29amMy second choice would be Andrew Lee Potts.
He has that Brilliantly smart yet kind of bumbling quality. Also I think he could play lighthearted, really dark, human and alien emotions that the Doctor has to display
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:46am12th doctor……Boris Johnson anyone??
im no longer going to be here
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:05amhar har har lol
TheWhomobile
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:36amIt’s been set up for a long time, next Doctor needs to be ginger!
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:24amyes he has to be ginger next but if its a female doctor i will never ever ever ever
watch doctor who again!
The Darke Horde
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:43amRupert grint who plays ron in harry potter – he’s a ginger ninger
TheWhomobile
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:13amI think Rupert Grint is a little too young for the role, and I don’t believe Moffat would ever be stupid enough to make a female Doctor
the astronaut of death
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:21amhe has been considering actually 🙁
The Monitor
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:24amI think it a terrible shame for both fandom and moreso the programme. Whilst Doctor Who had been getting better every season since 2005, season 7 was a huge backward step, and the one thing that stood out was Matt Smith’s brilliance as an actor.
For the programme to survive it needs another young brilliant actor to woo back lost viewers. It also needs writers to look at 2005-2012 and not try to reinvent too much else viewers (not fan) will switch off in droves.
Personally, I think the timing of Smith’s departure could be “risky” for the programme’s longevity; his contribution has been outstanding.
Daveroper00
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:17amI feel really sad that he’s leaving, and a bit sorry for the guy. All the way through his time as The Doctor he has always received the criticizem that he is NGT. That stands for ”Not Good As Tennant”. I have finally now come to realise that my four favourite Doctors are now David Tennant, Matt Smith, Tom Baker , And Sylvester McCoy.
Thank you very much, Matt. You were a great person to play The Doctor.
🙂
iPhil
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:11amHe is far better than DT, I liked DT but don’t miss his over-acting.
tom-tit
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:07amPaul Kaye (Dennis Pennis, Pete Tong) would be good as he is quirky. Or Jonas Armstrong (Robin Hood), wonder what he is up to now?
Booboo Jr
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:00amI’m very surprised to hear this, I think Matt was just starting to really get into this role brilliantly. It is a real shame he is leaving, I would have wanted to see him in a few more series. This will make me appreciate the 50th that little bit more.
But now attention turns to the next big question – Who will play the 12th (or 13th, whatever it is now) Doctor?
Dalek: the Supreme
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:38amI feel like an old friend is gonna die. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely hate the “I don’t want to go” stuff from The End of Time, but I’ve never been so attached to one incarnation of the Doctor since Patrick Troughton. Matt Smith is MY Doctor, and I hope he gets a good regeneration like Tom Baker or Peter Davison or Christopher Eccleston. I do not want an offscreen fall or another “I don’t wanna go” scenario. I hope the next Doctor can fill Smith’s shoes.
Von
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:19amDaniel Radcliffe would be great.
Matt Smithy
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:11amGreat… now what am I going to do with my name? I personally think he is leaving because he had a fall out with Steven Moffat, because previously he said “you would have to be stupid to leave on the gold year” and also said he was going to do next year as well… Still, sad you are leaving Matt! 🙁 good luck in the future.
Sebatron
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:15amDear Matt Smith
I know it is a long shot of you seeing this but I want you to know that you were a brilliant Doctor. I am sad that you are leaving but thanks to you the next doctor will have a lot to live up to.
From Sebatron
Timewarp
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:51amTerribly sad to see Matt go
Also slightly disturbed to see some commenters so against the idea of the doctor being a woman. As long as the persona is the same, what’s the problem?
MrHonda
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:45amC’mon Hugh Laurie. Bring back Hartnell’s cane too.
poojoo
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:35amWell I have enjoyed Matt Smith. He has been fun. Now we need something more serious. The show seems to be to childish at times. I can’t think of anyone really to play number 12. I know people want Benedict Cumberbatch, but to be honest, I don’t. Yes, he is great at Sherlock but I don’t like him being the Doctor. It doesn’t feel right.
I do hope that Amy and Rory are in the Christmas special, they don’t have to be in the whole episode maybe just a cameo, the Doctor giving them a proper and final farewell. Just like Tennant did before he regenerated.
Maybe this will be the end for River. I think that they could fix her character, make her more like the ‘Silence in the Library’. I could see the end of 11 going round to River giving her the future sonic and asking her to say goodbye to Amy and Rory for him.
Silence Will Still Fall
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:32amMatt’s my doctor so i’m gutted about this news but i’m excited about who’ll take on the role next.
My choices for 12th doctor in order
1. Chris O’Dowd (Roy in the IT crowd)
2. Colin Morgan (Merlin)
3. richard ayoade (Moss in the IT crowd)
4. Andy Serkis (Gollum/Smeagol in LOTR)
5. Phil Davis (Most recently captain hatch in being human)
pathdw98
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:50amI am gutted. I loved Matt’s version of the Doctor.
I know it won’t be, but would love to see Jonny Lee Miller as 12.
Hope the Ponds and River make a cameo in his last story, just to say goodbye.
76 Totters Lane
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:43amHis last words should be something like “I’ve loved being me. I got to wear bow ties, stetsons and a fez. Musn’t forget the fez. Yes, I was very cool, wasn’t I?” Then he regenerates and the new Doctor looks at his bow tie and says, “I won’t be needing this any more” and takes it off.
greyzinychimp
June 3rd, 2013 - 6:56pmthrows it of !!!
CG
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:41amNooooo, but will Jenna-Louise be staying? I hope so!
The Eleventh
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:37amPart I
Thank you Mr. Smith! It has been a wonderful experience watching your tenure as the Doctor. Bow ties are and forever shall be…cool!
Part II
Let me start by saying I believe in Steven Moffat.
As fans we may not always agree with a show runners decisions but I believe for me we were really spoiled for series 5 thru 7 part 1. They are some of the absolute best of the new Who. Think about it. If you suddenly were given the reigns to the show do you think every episode you produce would be spot on? It’s really easy to say he’s ruined Who or 7 part 2 wasn’t great but that’s only because he helped elevate the bar for the show so high. He along with Mr. Smith helped create one of the most endearing and I’m sure enduring potrails of the Doctor. Doctor Who is built on change. Gearing up for the 50th I’m sure has been all consuming. We may not always like it but it’s a good lesson in being fluid. That said the fanboy in me will eternally miss our Eleventh Doctor.
Geronimo!
outnumbered
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:59amno no no im sorry but steven has turn the show in to a comedy and a kids show
1 no one dies
2 every thing is a laugh
3 its all about a story in a story what came from a story
4. steven is better at one offs when someone else is the head
5 they never come back to earth
6 series 5 was ok series 6 whas worst ever
series 7 was not that far off and not even the crimson horror could safe this season
GingerDoctorMania
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:41amOutnumbered, i completly agree with u, series 5 was a good way to start and it wasnt to bad but series 6 was the worst series of doctor who ever made and all the worst episodes where writen by Moffat. This year was probably Matts best because Moffat didnt write a lot and the companion (Jenna- Lousie Coleman) was pretty descent, not an annoying (Amy Pond).
But over all i do think Matt has done his best and he is in all fairness a good doctor!
Dalek: the Supreme
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:02pmIn my opinion, Series 1 was a great resurrection for the show, Series 2 was mostly bad, Series 3 was mostly good, Series 4 was pretty bad with the exceptions of Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead and Midnight, the specials weren’t too great except for the amazing Waters of Mars, Series 5 is the best series ever, Series 6 was ok, but they should’ve given it a better finale and not split up the season, Series 7 was epic in so many ways but again, they shouldn’t have split it in half.
Cyberlord
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:22amCan I just say that I am deeply upset Matt is leaving. He put so much energy and life into the Doctor and even when episode story lines were dull or bad Matt gave his greatest performance, at first everyone hated him but now he is loved by all fans of Doctor who. I’m sad to see him go and to be honest I would love for him to return in some way. Matt Smith will always be my favourite Doctor.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:13amIt should maybe have a break and come back completely different with a new doctor and new format
BisonTime
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:36amBut they have already confirmed series 8 for next year with Jenna still in the works
Daveroper00
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:18amI just hope they get better titles .
I wonder if themastercrevasse from YouTube should play the 12th Doctor?
Theta Sigma
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:08amMatt Smith has done brilliantly, I am less impressed with Me Moffat.
Anonymous
June 1st, 2013 - 11:58pmI doubt David Tennant will return.Broadchurch is returning so he will be more likely to return there for series 2
DuckandGrouse
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:17amNo, its been announced that David is returning for the 50th.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:34amI mean permanently
Melico
June 1st, 2013 - 11:52pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NICOLE SCHERZINGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
joethewhovian
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:08amWhat about her?
Melico
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:09amShe would be so good as the doctor
olletsoc
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:14amit wouldn’t feel right having a woman as the doctor.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:19amIt would ruin the show
Boxfish
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:33pmIf the BBC’s politically correct producer’s turn Doctor Who into a WOMAN, it will be even more farcical than turning him into Sylvester McCoy. Is nothing sacred anymore? No doubt the feminist bully brigade will shout us all down for daring to suggest that the Doctor’s gender should not be tampered with. Well, then how about we turn Jenny Murray into Jeremy Clarkeson and have him present Woman’s Hour? How about Buffy the Vampire Slayer metamorphising into a bloke? You wouldn’t like that, would you?!
If Doctor Who becomes a woman, that’s not a regeneration, folks – that’s the death of an icon.
Anonymous
June 1st, 2013 - 11:50pmJo Joyner,David Tennant,Nigel Havers,Oliva Coleman,Suranne Jones,Christopher Eccelstone,Michelle Collins,Gillian Taylforth would be a good choice but she’s in Hollyoaks they need a big star to boost ratings
Anonymous
June 1st, 2013 - 11:44pmThey need to get a talent show get the dr who production team and bits of the cast and Alesha Dixon to judge who is best and ultimately the decision would be in Alesha’s hands if the panel couldn’t make a decision and it went to deadlock
booboo
June 1st, 2013 - 11:46pmIndeed – “Who will be Who”, in this day of television wouldn’t surprise me
Anonymous
June 1st, 2013 - 11:47pmIt would be nice if the public got a say though but I think everyone trusts Alesha would make the best decision
Twelfth Cyber Legion
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:40amYes, that would be a brilliant idea, Us fans could vote for our favourite doctor! Love it! 🙂
Doctor Stu
June 1st, 2013 - 11:43pmSo weird as I was thinking about this today, Would be good if he starts to regenerate backwards and ends up as David Tennant forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Von
June 3rd, 2013 - 4:19amDavid Tennant was my favourite Doctor. I haven’t cared for Matt Smith as I felt he was too childish. Just my opinion.
Would love to see Daniel Radcliffe or Robert Carlisle.
JJ
June 1st, 2013 - 11:42pmI’ve always said Danny Horn who played Middle Kazran in A Christmas Carol, I just think he could be good?