TV Guide and BBC News report that the new Dr. Who has been named. And, as expected, it’s . . . wait, who is this guy? Twenty-six year old Matt Smith becomes the youngest of the 11 Doctors when his episodes begin to air in 2010.
Smith starts filming during the summer. Present Doctor, the very popular David Tennant, will appear in four specials that will run throughout the year before Smith assumes the role on-screen.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:37 am
I really miss the days of Tom Baker. This kid looks like he should be in some sort of ironic emo band.
Oh look how white he is. Are they hatching these new Doctor’s a few years before they need them, and keeping them in pitch black isolation so that they have no skin pigmentation?
January 4th, 2009 at 7:02 am
This guy looks like someone I know from high school and that’s not a good thing. I wonder if he’ll talk with a lisp and act as if he’s more intelligent than everyone else just because he can play chess well too.
Edward, he wouldn’t be in an ironic emo band (not enough makeup) he’d be in an ironic indie band.
January 4th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I’m not sure about him either. He’s too young for my liking to be the Doctor but he is a bloody good actor from the things I’ve seen him in and I trust The Grand Moff!
January 4th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Tennant won me over - I’m right now very “accept no substitutes”.
But like Anth mentioned - if Steve Moffit is still there - I guess I will too.
January 4th, 2009 at 10:02 am
The proof, as they say, is in the acting. Let the boy try a season, worse comes to worse, they’ll boot him off & regenerate The Doctor for the last time.
January 4th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Actually there will be two more regenerations after this one–Smith is Doc #11 and there are a total of 13 incarnations. (12 regenerations = 13 incarnations.)
I was crestfallen when Eccleston left the show, and then Tennant turned out to be even better (IMHO). So I’m willing to give Smith a chance, especially since he was chosen by Stephen Moffat (the new producer, responsible for writing some of the best episodes in recent years, including “Blink”).
January 4th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Doctor Who is one of my most favorite shows because of good stories, and ever better acting on the part of Tennant. Watching him on screen I don’t see an actor, Tennant is so good he makes you believe that he IS the Doctor…and he’s easy on the eyes!
This guy had some big shoes to fill, but Tennant and Eccleston have both been great, so I’m sure that producers know what they’re doing with this casting choice. Give the kid a shot.
And to the other poster, and no offense to the English, most English are pale. It rains a lot on the islands. Get over it
January 4th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Ummmm…while time lords are generally limited to 12 regenerations (13 incarnations as Chris points out), does anyone really think they would slaughter a cash cow like this because of a fictoinal sci-fi/fantasy rule? Like the Master, or through some other route, the Doctor will somehow be granted extra regenerations somewhere down the road.
January 4th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Indeed there are many possibilities for the Doctor to gain more regenerations, (return of the Time Lords giving him a new set of regenerations to the Sisterhood of Karn).
The comments here are tame compared to the comments on IMDB. I’m glad I left that messageboard, my 13 year old nephew is more mature that the ‘fans’ at that site.
January 4th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
The Master is currently past his 15th incarnation (unless i’ve forgotten something) so it’s not limited to 12 regenerations for him… even though he had to go through various situations to get there.
i’ll reserve judgment until I actually see that guy act in the part with a new hairdo.
January 4th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I, too, was a little shocked when they revealed that this young fellow was going to be taking over as The Doctor on last night’s special Doctor Who Confidential episode. When he first popped up on the screen, I thought, “This young kid with a Flock of Seagulls ‘do can’t possibly be the new guy, can he?” I am definitely keeping an open mind, though, because I thought Tennant seemed like an odd choice when he was announced as well - and that turned out more than alright. So far, Moffat’s stories give me reason to trust his judgment, so I’m cautiously optimistic. Besides, if Doctor #11 meets up with Professor River Song (the Doctor’s future love interest from last season), the younger man/older woman dynamic could be interesting.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
wow,it’s the return of the lead singer of flock of seagulls
January 4th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
He’s got the looks, he’s got the voice, and he looks suitably serious and impressive in contrast to the “Manic Schoolteacher/Tour Guide” hoops that RTD & co. made Tennant jump through. I’ve no doubt that he’ll make an impressive replacement, and I’m actually very pleased that Moffat & co. had the guts to bring in an actor based on his skills and interpretation rather than his career. The press throws the words ‘Relative Unknown’ around like an insult, but they’re wrong. Unknowns should get in far more often.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I watched the program last night and to be honest he was a relief compared to some that where supposed to be in the running. When you see him on screen he doesn’t look younger than David Tennant. He has the rather strange quality of looking ‘other worldly’!!! and from what he says he will be putting his all into the roll. Tennat is impressed and so is Moffat, and Russell T. says he’s very jealous that they got this actor. In the end the proof will be in the epsiodes but believe me some of the people apparently up for the role was very worrying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 4th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
…The real fun will happen when Rose returns for an ep and realizes her human Time Lord clone is more of a man
January 4th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
He doesn’t much look the part yet…but with Moffat in charge of his season I don’t think he’ll be too bad. I prefer the younger Doctors, but he seems even a little too young. Ill wait and see, though, I’m just so sad to see Tennant go I don’t think I’d accept any new Doc readily.
January 4th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I think I really love the pick. He has these really interesting maneurisms and his youth could open the door to many new types of stories. I like it! We can always have an old grump next time, but for now I’m quite pleased.
January 4th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I think this is a fantastic development. Some of the guesses and supposed sure things were downright scary! Best of all, this is the third Doctor I wouldn’t mind shagging…
January 4th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
nooooooooo… man, i’m gonna miss david tennant.
January 4th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
The guy looks like a forgotten member of Culture Club (whose videos strangely enough featured time travel).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmQVWH9u8Xo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqeTpbV9nt0
But seriously, here’s a likely more accurate photo of the guy:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/01/04/1231003820900.html
January 4th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
At the San Diego Comic Con Moffat said the 12 regeneration limit is not something they feel limited to. He said something like now that he is the last Time Lord who is to say there is any limit to how many times he can regenerate.
I just hope this guy isn’t too hip. I hope he has a fashion drastically different from the previous 2 Doctors. Tennant did the crazy hair thing so I hope they change this guys hair.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Looks like a DOUCHE!
They should get a black doctor.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:56 am
I’ve seen most of Matt Smith’s TV work and I can see what Moffatt saw in him. In fact once I read the announcement I said to myself, “I can see that.” I don’t know if his BBC series “Political Animals” is available here in R1 but if it is, give it a spin. He does that have that old person in a young person’s body quality. It’s going to be hard losing Tennant but in Moffatt and now Smith’s hands I’m feeling pretty good about the future of Who.
January 5th, 2009 at 4:57 am
There was no need to replace Tennant, he was the best doctor since Baker, Hope this guy is in it for the long run otherwise, EXTERMINATE!
January 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I am very sad to hear that Tennant will no longer be playing the Doctor. He was really good and this show originally appealed to me because he was doing a fantastic job (on top of the story line and such). There really was no need to replace Tennant!!!!!!