Eccleston quits Doctor Who role

[Sci-Fi]

From BBC:

Eccleston quits Doctor Who role

Thursday, 31 March, 2005

Actor Christopher Eccleston has quit as Doctor Who after just one episode of the new series has been screened, the BBC has confirmed.
Eccleston, whose first appearance as the ninth Time Lord attracted around 10 million viewers, feared being typecast.

Talks are taking place to replace him with Casanova star David Tennant.

A second series of the new Doctor Who, which will again be written by Russell T Davies and produced by BBC Wales, has already been commissioned.

Billie Piper, who plays Dr Who's assistant Rose, is expected to star again.

'Incredible reaction'

Eccleston - whose last appearance is expected to be in a Christmas special - said he was also planning new projects and that he found filming the series gruelling.

"The audience's response for the new Doctor Who has been incredible and I am really proud to be part of it and I hope viewers continue to enjoy the series," he said in a statement issued through the BBC.

A BBC spokesman said the corporation would issue a formal statement later on Thursday and that it had hoped, rather than expected, that Eccleston would continue in the role.

He said that although talks to make David Tennant the 10th Doctor were taking place, other names may be put forward.

Bill Nighy was also considered for the Eccleston role, while Richard E Grant starred in a BBC web drama version of Doctor Who.

Period drama Casanova, which moves to BBC1 from BBC3 on Monday, added to Tennant's reputation after his success in the drama Blackpool.

'Jittery time'

The BBC announced on Wednesday that it had commissioned the second Doctor Who series, which will again feature 13 episodes.

Russell T Davies said: "It's fantastic news. It's been a tense and jittery time because the production team has been working on plans.

"It's particularly good for BBC Wales. This is a major flagship show for the region, and their staff and crews are the best you could find. It's a tribute to them that Doctor Who is returning."

Dr Who was relaunched last Saturday weekend following a 16-year hiatus.

With 9.9 million viewers, it beat Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

[gmd3d]

Intresting reaction. Is typecasting as bad as it was 20 years ago.

[Fragmentary]

Oh man...
this bites. I thought he was great in the role, and it certianly hurts the momentum for the show going into its second series. This is too sad.

[gmd3d]

I missed the first episode but look at the ads he did look good for the part

[BRG]

This sounds like it was all planed this way.

Ecclestone was a suprisingly big name for Doctor Who, I think the idea was that he would do just 1 season, if it was a sucsess and won a second season, the he would hand the role over to a long term replacement. Also it is suspicious that the BBC are planning a Christmas Special, wich will probably be a 'regeneration episode' which will draw huge media attention. As I said, it all looks pre-planed to me.

I'm sad to see Ecclestone depart. He was a good Doctor in the first episode, if a little over-the-top, with the potential to be a great Doctor. This guy Tennant is a guy I know nothing about, but from Who fans I've talked too, they think he is too young for the role. I'd go for Stephen Fry. Or Eddie Izzard! Just think, a crossdressing Doctor Who!
BRG

[Lighthope]

I had thought he had options on his contract, so he couldn't quit anyway.

Lighthope

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