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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Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:55pmI grew up to chris and david, matts episodes just got worse to me. Didn’t know if Stephen or Matt did it, but something had to give – it seems matt did. Somebody please get rid of Jenna Louise Coleman, bring back Karen Gillan – attractive, good actor and suited the role well.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:12pmIt’s down to opinion….I grew up with Tom Baker and I think Matt Smith is the best Doctor to date. Chris was OK…maybe he would have developed more had he not thrown a lovie strop…..David was quite good in the part but I really didn’t like the stories….quite lame….but that is just my option.
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:18pmInteresting opinion mate, The first Dr.who I watched was the Five Doctors and then Remembrance of the Daleks. Both great classic stories! McCoy is the best in my book, I don’t understand why people weren’t fond of him.
matt9982
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:25pmI know I think mcoys brilliant 🙂
olletsoc
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:34pmi know it’s going off point, but i think Jenna is more attractive than Karen.
Professor When
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:41pmAgreed ollectsoc! Karen was too… pouty…
olletsoc
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:44pmdon’t get me wrong, Karen is really nice looking, but there’s just something about Jenna…her legs i think 😉
Gallifrey Driving Services Limited
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:45pmAs I grew up watching Dr Who and been a whovian all of my life the best years to me were William Hartnell Patrick Troughton and jon Pertwee and of course Tom Baker.
John Hurt would be a good 12th Doctor ?
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:58pmMcCoy was a legend, no doubt about it. Still Karens more attractive.
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:59pmThey should do most attractive companion poll on this site some when, could be interesting.
olletsoc
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:26pmit’s all about personal preference
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 8:55pmIndeed
Dalek: the Supreme
June 3rd, 2013 - 3:01pmI grew up with Doctor Who all my life with all the Classic Doctors and remember Tomb of the Cybermen, The Five Doctors, The Monster of Peladon, Remembrance of the Daleks, Earthshock, The Dalek Invasion of Earth, Invasion of the Dinosaurs, The Ark in Space, The Two Doctors, and many more. When the show came back I was immediately impressed by Eccleston’s performance and stories. I never could get used to Tennant’s human Doctor, but after Series 5 I had a new favorite Doctor (Matt Smith), new favorite Daleks (‘Victory’ Daleks), and a new favorite story (The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang).
paul c
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:52pmHere is something nobody has considered…. what if the next actor to be granted the role is asian? or Black?
Would people be ok with something like that happening? personally i think it would be a fresh change and maybe one day that could happen?
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:56pmIt’s possible. I don’t how I would feel.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:05pmProviding it was for the reason that the actor is the best for the job and not just to fulfil some token political correctness gesture…same goes for the female argument.
Some bloke
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:43pmI wouldn’t like it. I’m not racist or anything, but I just think, if you change the doctor too much, it just won’t feel right. Doctor Who is quintessential british show, and if you start bringing in colour and descendants from other countries, then it wouldn’t feel like doctor who anymore, even if they are officially british. (sorry for offending anyone, I was trying to convey it without being racist. If anyone could correct me, then correction is welcome 🙂 )
TheWhomobile
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:12pmI have to say I agree with you Some Bloke. I don’t mean to be racist but if the Doctor had been black or Asian for 50 years then there would be an outcry if he became white. They should pick am actor for his skills not his skin colour. I am sorry if I cause offence and if I do it was not my intention
Dalek: the Supreme
June 3rd, 2013 - 3:02pmI don’t care about race or skin color, just the performance. I might (And I’m saying might, mind you) even forgive a woman playing the Doctor if she was a good enough actress.
the mr master
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:42pmdo you think clara will stay with the 12th
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:45pmHope not
paul c
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:50pmapparently she is staying for series 8 from what i hear, it will hopefully allow the writers to develop her character more with a new doctor
UnitedGamers2013
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:04pmShe is the bbc confirmed it
GregV
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:19pmI read some speculation about an American Doctor. I’m an American and I don’t like that idea. The best thing about Doctor Who and BBC America in general is that it’s not an American show. It’s different and better than a lot of the junk on American TV. My fear is that some producer is going to think that the show could get a bigger US audience with a change like that. However, that’s the wrong direction because it would take away the most interesting part of the show for Americans. What do you think? Thanks, GregV
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:40pmI agree, Dr who is british and that what makes it good! More episodes should be set in modern day England. (or wales, Scotland or NI)
James O’Neill
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:11pmI’m American too. An American actor playing it AS BRITISH would be ok, if otherwise right for the part. Consider the reverse, Hugh Laurie as House, it was years before I found out he wasn’t from New Jersey!
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:14pmAs long as the programme stays British (ie the BBC don’t sell it off to an American production company like they did with Torchwood) than I don’t care where the actor is from.
GregV
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:19pmIf they feel compelled to give the show more US appeal then all they have to do is shoot some episodes on location in the US. An on location episode in Las Vegas, San Francisco, New Orleans or Hawaii would be great. Los Angeles is a blighted, rundown eye sore, no point in going there.
Dalek: the Supreme
June 3rd, 2013 - 3:05pmThe Doctor hasn’t always been British. Look at Sylvester McCoy and David Tennant (Even though Tennant used a British accent). If two Scottish actors can play him why can’t an American?
TheDoctorWhoGeek
June 3rd, 2013 - 6:11pmErm… Anyone who is Scottish is British.. So Tennant and McCoy were British – like the English and Welsh are British..
the mr master
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:44pmi grew up with the 9th and 10th doctor and in my opinion nothing can beat them
i did not like matt but he was ok in series 5, series 6 was awful 7 was ok
i cant really think of aNyone to play number 12
Some bloke
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:45pmben daniels?
the mr master
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:45pmi think he may have done it a bit too long
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:45pmSame with me Mr Master. Grew up to chris and david, matts episodes just got worse to me. Didn’t know if Stephen or Matt did it, but something had to give – it seems matt did. Somebody please get rid of Jenna Louise Coleman, bring back Karen Gillan – attractive, good actor and suited the role well.
the mr master
June 2nd, 2013 - 7:50pmi think the best companions where Adam and rose with the 9th doctor
ROCKSTAR
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:48pmI think series 6 was rubbish
The Peking Homunculus
June 3rd, 2013 - 5:44amWow, grew up with 9 and 10…makes it sound like that was a long time ago or something. I started out watching Doctor’s 1-7 on VHS in the dark times, but that means I’m a young fan…
Dalek: the Supreme
June 3rd, 2013 - 3:09pmI liked a lot of them, but my favorite would either be the Eleventh Doctor and the Ponds or the Seventh Doctor and Ace.
Dalek: the Supreme
June 3rd, 2013 - 3:09pmAbout Doctor/companion relationships, that is.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:57pmGoing by previous years i am pretty sure that he will be a white male under 40, and an actor that has up till doctor who been relatively unknown. i could be wrong though
the astronaut of death
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:53pmlist of people I would like to be 12th doctor
1. benedict cumberbatct
Some bloke
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:05pmwhy does eveyone suggest him? HE WILL NEVER BE THE DOCTOR! It’s like when tom beker tried to do sherlock holmes after he left doctor who. It didn’t work, because he was still considered to be ‘The Doctor’ so if benedict did play the doctor (which he wont) then when people watch it, they wont say ‘oh look it benedict playing the doctor’, they’ll say ‘Oh look, its sherlock playing the doctor’, and that is NOT what we want!
Alex
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:46pmRichard Hammond
The Peking Homunculus
June 3rd, 2013 - 5:50amah, but what about when Peter Davison played Albert Campion? he was perfect in the role. Cumberbatch might be better as the Master though.
the astronaut of death
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:49pmmaby the bbc are having us on
Cyberlord
June 2nd, 2013 - 6:09pmI really hope they are. Matt was great especially considering everyone hated him when he first started because he “Wasn’t David Tennant”
Anon
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:20pmthree incredible years- series 6 was terrible
Gallifrey Driving Services Limited
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:26pmLet It Be Benedict Cumberbatch.
Gallifrey Driving Services Limited
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:31pmOne Of The Best Actors Benedict Cumberbatch
Very Flamboyant and would certainly bring Dr Who back to what it was.
the astronaut of death
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:48pmseries 6 was good
Tardis’nt
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:44pmseries 7 was the worst matt smith one
Dalek: the Supreme
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:57pmI loved ’em all, though Series 6 could have been a lot better in places.
ROCKSTAR
June 2nd, 2013 - 9:50pmI think series 6 is the worst series ever
McGann is the Doctor
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:15pmAs somebody who grew up with Matt’s Doctor (2010-present is when I became who I am, when the cement began to set, if you will) this news did not come lightly.
The only sparkle of light in this sad, disappointing news, is that they cast somebody great for the next part. Ben Daniels, let it be him ❗
Some bloke
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:24pmOMG!! Just looked him up, and he is AMAZING. If he is to be the twelfth doctor then I can happily (but sad at the same time) say good bye to matt smith. I WANT HIM FOR THE DOCTOR!!
Some bloke
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:27pmHang on though, I’ve read that matt said recently that they (including him) will be filming series 8 late this year and will be broadcast next year. So is he leaving this christmas or the next?
McGann is the Doctor
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:13pmSadly, it appears he has the November episode, then the Christmas one and that’s it for him.
Still can’t believe this
Tardis’nt
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:14pmthere is a plus side – new title sequence (unless they change the face)
lepter
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:08pmwell, as I have previously posted, I suggested mat smith would regenerate in the Christmas special. now let’s see if the next part of my prediction is true. Richard E grant will be the next doctor. his image is part of the doctors time line. he has played the doctor already. its already a done deal in my opinion.
Dalek: the Supreme
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:03pmI feel like an old friend is gonna die. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely hate the “I don’t want to go” subplot 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 favorite 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.
McGann is the Doctor
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:17pmI know what you mean, it’s weird feeling this way for a fictional character played by somebody I have never met, I guess it’s a testament to Smith :sob:
the next Doctor has to be somebody older.
Don’t cast another young guy, Matt Smith made you believe he was a thousand year old man with youngsters face, you can’t beat him at what he did.
Dalek: the Supreme
June 2nd, 2013 - 5:01pmCouldn’t have said it any better myself. We’ve had enough young Doctors for now, Moffat needs to cast someone in their 40’s who is NOT a woman. I have nothing against women, but gender switching is incredibly weird and disturbing, especially for a character who’s been around for so long as a male character.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:59pmAndrew lee Potts could be the doctor but its most likely the next doctor is gunna be someone nobody’s heard of.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:02pmOr maybe Colin Morgan?
Some bloke
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:26pmno not colin morgan! He’s already too well-known as merlin and, considering he played that part for 5 years and hasn’t really done anything since, I reckon he’s been typecast
greyzinychimp
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:41pmColin morgen played jefro in the episode midnight
The Moffat Paradox
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:55pmI’m only half joking but as Theta Sigma says been more impressed with Smith than Moffat.
(Though some stand alone episodes of his Like The Bells of ST Jude Haven’t been bad.)
So unless Moffat redeems himself with the resolution of plot holes from series 5-7 (Who blew up the Tardis once and for all!)in the 50th anniversary why doesn’t he take his often turning of the Character into Harry Potter with sonic screwdriver as a magic wand and spacey- wacey and wibbily wobbly timey wimey instead of science fiction to it’s conclusion and have Paul Daniels as the Doctor?
Just round off spacey- wacey and wibbily wobbly timey wimey as a plot cop out with Paul saying:
“And that’s Magic!”
doctorpond393
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:39pmthe bells of saint jude?
Dalek: the Supreme
June 3rd, 2013 - 3:12pmMany of my all-time favorites have been written by Moffat, and most of those feature Smith.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:53pmI want the new doctor to be much older and a lot darker. Don’t make the doctor a woman other wise the show will end. P.S people have complained that the show is racist beacuase all the doctors are white my response to that is really thats whats worring you
TheWhomobile
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:30pmI hope Smith’s regeneration is different from the previous 2. What I would like is the watcher again like we saw in Logopolis
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:28pmdr who will end up getting axed for The Voice UK or something
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:48pmI don’t think the bbc will do that why well look atthe two shows which one makes the most money which one sells toy, dvds, audio dramas
relax my friend Im pretty sure the bbc will put there money where there mouth is
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:09pmThe Voice is beginning to turn into a good successful talent show though
Anonymous
June 3rd, 2013 - 4:11pmtrue very true but whan Im saying is doctor who makes more money because it sells more toys and audios and comics and books the list goes on
the vocie makes a lot of money but doctor who makes triple of what the voice makes
Anonymous
June 9th, 2013 - 12:38amThe Voice had only been around for 2 years if it gets going then the BBC will be sitting on a gold mine they only need the next Leona Lewis to walk in and that will be thay
rose tyler,martha jones,donna noble,tardis
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:26pmDavid Witts (Joey Branning from EastEnders) said he would like to be the doctor he would be a good choice with Jacquline Jossa (Lauren) as the companion or Billie Piper or Shobna Gulati
olletsoc
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:50pmhes too young and he doesn’t look ‘doctorish’
RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND
June 2nd, 2013 - 2:08pmagreed
Dalek: the Supreme
June 3rd, 2013 - 3:13pmBillie Piper already played a companion, and though her performance was good the character was awful.
xylok emperor
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:17pmnext doctor should be JAMES McAVOY
xylok emperor
June 2nd, 2013 - 3:20pmor brendan frasier
LEWIS
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:14pmNOOOOOOO
PS I HOPE THE NEXT DOCTOR ISN’T JOHN HURT,DAVID MORRISY OR EVEN WORSE A WOMAN
PPS STEVEN MOFFAT ONLY SAID HE HAD NO PLANS OF CHANGING MATT SMITH HE DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT MATT SMITH CHOOSING TO LEVE BOOHOO 🙁
who is i?
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:12pmThe next doctor should be Emmett Scanlan (Brendan from Hollyoaks) he is such a good actor and has a darker side which would really be good and Karen Hassan (Lynsey) as a companion she as well is am amazing actress but Jenna Coleman is doing an amazing job far better than Amy Pond
Anonymous
June 3rd, 2013 - 4:12pmbut the next doctor should be older
space1999
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:11pmmartin freeman , simon pegg or the man who played gavin from gavin and stacy
The good dalek
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:11pmnick frost or pegg. all the classics from paul, hot fuzz and shaun of the dead
the mr master
June 2nd, 2013 - 4:49pmsimon pegg was the editor in the long game in series 1
Spidge
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:08pmDawn French PLEASE!
Anonymous
June 3rd, 2013 - 4:13pmNO THAT WOULD BE THE END OF DOCTOR WHO
Dr Who ?
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:07pmMatt Smith’s regeneration will be into that guy from the BT ads (Daniel Rigby). He was in a Bafta winning programme Eric and Earnie, produced by the same producers of Dr Who. It’s a done deal.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:32pmWhat proof do you have of this
booboo
June 2nd, 2013 - 1:34pmnone
matparks08
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:31pmThe next Doctor should be…..Christopher Biggins! (Think about it)
sheepinafez
June 2nd, 2013 - 12:15pmi reallllly want david morrisey with neil gaiman as head writer it would be perfect
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:57amDamien Moloney!
47
June 2nd, 2013 - 11:46amI would like to see Ben Whishaw as the new Doctor. I thought his work in the two series’ of ‘The Hour’ was superb. Plus, he was very good as ‘Q’ in the last Bond movie. I genuinely believe he would be ideal in the role of The Doctor.