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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the astronaut of death
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:45amI have been so happy this week about the new toys being released and I had just got a new doctor who series 7 part 2 box set it has been a very good week for me and on the last day of that brilliant week I get the news that matt smith is leaving doctor this news has ruined my week 🙁
from now on I am going in to depression
goodbye matt smith 🙁
RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:44amknew he was going this year or next, and i think he’s had a good run. wonder if jenna will carry on…
TheWhomobile
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:42amWhat about Ben Miller as the Doctor?
the astronaut of death
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:34amwhat do you think of the news boobooo
booboo
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:38amwas expecting it
I will wait to see who the cast, series 7 was very very mixed
KORSAIR
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:57amSame here Booboo,I was kind of thinking he’d be off soon.
Matt Smithy
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:18amJust realised, Matt will have had 4 episodes less than David when he finishes! So close!
76 Totters Lane
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:39amI think you mean 3 less episodes:
Christopher Eccleston: 13
David Tennant: 47
Matt Smith: 44
JJ
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:01pmChristopher Eccelston: 13 episodes
David Tennant: 47 episodes, 48 in 50th
Matt Smith: 42 episodes, 44 in Christmas and his last episode, unless he returns for the 50th or something or maybe the revival 10th anniversary?
JJ
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:23pmI mean, if he returns for the 60th lol.
the astronaut of death
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:18amI have been so happy this week about the new toys being released and I had just got a new doctor who series 7 part 2 box set it has been a very good week for me and on the last day of that brilliant week I get the news that matt smith is leaving doctor this news has ruined my week 🙁
from now on I am going in to depression
goodbye matt smith 🙁
WouldYouLikeAJellyBaby?
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:12amNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m upset but at the same time happy, Matt was my second/ third Favourite Doctor and thought he pulled off an amazing job after David left 2010. He was certainly one of the Doctors that would make you laugth and I thought he carried the role on from his predecessors spectacularly! I was hoping for him to be in Series 8, but things have obviously changed and that’s mainly what Doctor Who is and has been about for the last 50 years. I certainly wish him luck with his career in the future and hope to see him return hopefully in the future. I’m a little bit excited to see who Matt will hand over the TARDIS keys too and I’m certain Matt’s final episode on Christmas Day will be as spectacular as any of his others.
Adam
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:33amDylan Moran will be nice change of pace.
Fez Master
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:25amWhen matt regenerates, Clara should be in the TARDIS and it shouldn’t get destroyed and redesigned because it will have only been in The Snowmen and the 8 episodes from series 7 part 2. Depending if the show completely changes, the titles should stay. And when he regenerates, I am the Doctor should be the music.
GingerDoctorMania
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:43amYeah, I think the regeneration will kind of be like Eccaldstens.
Matt Smithy
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:09amI am the Doctor is to happy…he should say “Geronimo” one last time, maybe a remix of I am the Doctor? Personally, I know this song has nothing to represent Matt, but I think an awesome regeneration song would be the “wake up” song from rings, just remove the lyrics. The tune is so epic! I do agree though, Interior MUST NOT CHANGE!
olletsoc
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:22amthe titles should stay the same but obviously the new doctor’s face and name will be in them
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:40pm“I am the Doctor” should at least be a part of it, but slowed down and modified a little to fit.
olletsoc
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:23pmi’m thinking the regeneration music will be “The Majestic Tale of a Madman in a Box”. If you haven’t heard it, search for it on Youtube.
Fez Master
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:14amThat’s a shame, Matt became one of my favourite Doctor’s. The big question is: who will be his suscessor?
DOCTOR WHO ONE
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:09amSeeing as Matt Smith is leaving, and as it appears we will now only have 2 more actors to play the 12th and 13th Doctor’s, I think it’s worth stating that it is now possible for Steven Moffat or some other future writer to prolong the Doctor’s regenerations, because in ‘Let’s Kill Hitler’, River gave up [what I guess is her final 11 after being shown regenerating twice] her remaining regenerations to bring the 11th Doctor back to life, and assuming she has now prolonged his ability to regenerate, it is therefore possible that her 11 regenerations added to his final 2 means he can now regenerate 13 more times, allowing him to live up to a future 24th Doctor.
As for that stuff about him regenerating 507 times as said in ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’, that was clearly a load of baloney, after all – RULE 1 – THE DOCTOR LIES, and just cos the Time Lord’s are dead, does not mean his number of regenerations can suddenly shoot up to 507 just like that – it doesn’t work like that.
TheDoctorWhoGeek
June 3rd, 2013 - 6:21pmThe whole 507 thing was a joke – but to be honest I think the concept behind it works. The Time Lords REGULATED the 13 lives rule – we can see this as they granted the Master more lives! As the Time Lords are dead they cannot stop him from regenerating more!
Job done.
DWG
iPhil
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:08amSad news, I was hoping for at least one more series from him, his Doctor was bay far my favourite.
I wonder if they will choose a female Doctor? J.L.C. is staying on as companion so two women in the TARDIS would be different but I’m not sure that I could get used to that, they’d probably have to bring in a male companion to balance it out.
TheDoctorGallifrey
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:36amNO! PLEASE DON’T MAKE A FEMALE DOCTOR! THAT WOULD RUIN THE SHOW!Sorry about the capitals but a female Doctor would lose a lot of fans
Big D
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:04pmNo NO No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No to a female Doctor.
And just so you get the message :
No NO No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No to a female Doctor
ROCKSTAR
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:59pmBig D s right the show will lose a lot of fans if the next doctor is a female.
P.S I DONT WANT A FEMALE DOCTOR
iPhil
June 3rd, 2013 - 9:01amI don’t want a female Doctor either, I think it would be wrong. It would be like casting a woman as Batman.
thedaleksdeath
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:06amNo Matt NO!!!! I’m actually tearing up here god I’m going to be ebarressed when Christmas comes sobbing 🙁
Bye bye Doctor my 2nd best Doctor 🙁
Skaroman
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:58amThe 11th Doctor Prayer:
We’ll miss you Matt smith, such as we
like Hartnell, Troughton and also Pertwee.
Take Tom Baker’s scarf and Peter’s celery,
and Colin’s question mark on his shirt for me.
McCoy’s umbrella will shield you from rain,
and also from McGann’s tiring pain.
Eccleston’s leather coat will keep you warm
to protect you from Tennant’s oncoming storm.
You must say goodbye to your companions of old:
Amy, Rory, River, Madge and Clara Oswold.
Goodbye, Matt Smith, you’ve been a real mate,
see you for the final time when you regenarate!
Amen.
Fez Master
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:15amBrilliant!
Timelord123456789
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:39amThat is funny and sad at the same time 😀 🙁
the funky whovian
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:09pmWell… Amen to that!
cyberman2
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:52amI thought he confirmed he was in series 8 or Steven Moffat turned series 7 part 2 into series 8. Goodbye matt u were brilliant and I know your last episode will be brilliant
cyberman2
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:52am*episodes*
cyberman2
June 5th, 2013 - 4:35pmbooboo i thought he did comfirm he was in series 8. what happened
booboo
June 5th, 2013 - 4:48pmno he never did, play on words, people assumed he did
Never believe anything unless it official news form the BBC
cyberman2
June 5th, 2013 - 6:25pmWHY WOULD PEOPLE ASUME. THEY TRICKED ME. ARRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!
MrWho63
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:37amIt cant be a female, because 1. his body cells regenerate but surely they cant change that much and 2. there would be sort of web-iot
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:48am1. If every cell in his body changes then it’s entirely possible to change gender 2. Definitely would be 3. I don’t think a female doctor would work because it’s been 11 men in a row. If a female doctor had been used as the third or fourth doctor I think it could have worked but I feel it is too late now
Big D
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:06pmIve said it before and I’ll say it again :
No NO No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No to a female Doctor.
And just so you get the message :
No NO No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No to a female Doctor
Jamie Bate
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:35amIt seems unlikely that Benedict Cumberpatch will be in the running – for all he is good he has expressed he would hate the constant attention and has said since the role is not for him.
Hector Sandler
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:34amWell I though he go on for another 3 years but sad it is. Well I don’t no can keep with Tom Bake who still alive today. But I could the next regeneration be his last. I remember Timelord only as 13 life The Doctor has almost use them up. 1 more he finish or is there alternative ???? Since when it came after that long absent I love them all the actors. Knowing me I always love dr Who
DOCTOR WHO ONE
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:28amMy choices for the 12th Doctor –
ANTHONY STEWART HEAD
Now before anyone comments ‘He can’t be the Doctor cos he has already been in the show’, can I please reminds you all that Colin Baker appeared in Doctor Who as the Time Lord Commander Maxil in 1983’s ‘Arc of Infinity’ before becoming the official 6th incarnation of the Doctor, so it is therefore possible for another actor to become the Doctor even if they have already played a part in the show before. Anthony was very Doctor-like during the first 3 series of Joss Whedon’s ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ both in behavior and his style of clothing with the Librarian look.
My 2nd choice would be Alan Davies. He was very Doctor-like in BBC’s ‘Johnathan Creek’ made by the late Verity Lambert who also helped shape Doctor Who in 1963.
DarkknightDalek
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:23amOh no 🙁 well I new this was coming. He has been the doctor for as long as David Tennant now!!!
Professor When
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:20amOh no! If only Moffat had stopped ‘splitting the series’ we would have had a full series last year, a full series this year and more episodes with Matt! Still, its important to remember that Doctor Who is all about change, and I’m sure that the next actor will also be brilliant.
Professor When
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:39amWoopsee looks like I posted twice!
The 14th Doctor
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:17amI wasn’t really that bothered when DT left, but I will truly miss Matt
DalekSupreme Fan
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:14amI am sorry how could you not be bothered when david tennent left as he was the best doctor ever in so many ways. Yes it will be sad to see matt smith go but i think his doctor is too over crazy sometimes and not as funny as david.
booboo
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:15ambecause everyone has their own opinion
Timelord123456789
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:47amDT was great! So is Matt
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:14amShame he’s going was great. would like to see Damien Molony considered for the role
Jonny Scoones
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:12amNooooooooo :'( I don’t want him to go
GingerDoctorMania
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:11amBenedict Cumberbatch would be a fantastic doctor, but i guess hes to buisy doing Sherlock.
doc fan
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:20amHe is all ready part of the company,he should
go for it.
The Supreme Dalek
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:09amNO!!! Not my 2nd favourite Doctor! I’m probably going to dislike the 12th Doctor, just like I did with 10th regenerating to 11th. This Doctor will be remembered throughout the history of Doctor Who. From fish fingers and custard to the final moment. I’m sure everyone will miss that bow tie! 😥 🙁
outnumbered
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:51amwell its not i did not like matt it was the writeing i hated they made a to joke after joke dr
and made no one die ( cause some how its now a kids show)
i want andrew lee pots as the next dr
Matt Smithy
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:17amno one die? Just re-watch cold war, victory of the Daleks, time of angels, vampires of Venice, hungry earth, Vincent and the Doctor, the lodger, the Doctors wife, a good man goes to war, the god complex, the angels take Manhattan, the crimson horror, nightmare in silver and several others I can’t remember, at least one person dies in each one in that list 🙂
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:48pmAnd if you mean companions, then just remember that only 4 companions have ever died (Katarina, Sara Kingdom, Adric and Kamelion) And 3 of them are sometimes argued not even to be companions.
TARDIS DUDE RETURNS
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:06amNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! MATT SMITH DON’T GO!
MRULTIMATEWHOVIAN
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:01amGOODBYE MATT SMITH! YOUR ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE OF DOCTORS YOUR TENURE IS TRULY BRILLIANT AND INSPIRING!!
WILL JOHN HURT FOLLOW ON! I THINK HE WOULD BE GREAT ALREADY TO CONTINUE ON FROM AN LEGEND AS HIS ACTING IS POWERFUL!
GOODBYE MATT SMITH!!!!
STEVEN MOFFAT & JENNA LOUISE WILL RETURN AND MATT WILL IN 50TH AND XMAS SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!!
The Darke Horde
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:42amthey should split series 8 in half and have matt for 6 and the new actor for the 2nd half with clara
olletsoc
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:51amand have the new doctor have only half a season? that wouldn’t work, not enough time for character development.
doc fan
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:24amit would be like s7 exept s7 was with Amy and Clara.
Professor When
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:36amOh No! Ugh, if only moffat had stopped ‘splitting the series’ we would have had a full series last year, a full series this year and more episodes with Matt!
DalekSupreme Fan
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:15amagreed
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 10:51amIt would be better really if we had 6 stories every year but they where all 2 parters and the finnal would be a 3 parter. This way we could probably get to know matt even better as the doctor with in depth stories.