Let the speculation begin...

[wshaffer]

David Tennant announces he is leaving Doctor Who at the end of 2009.

I'm a bit surprised - If I'd been asked to bet, I'd have put my money on Tennant leaving at the end of 2010, just because I figured that they wouldn't have gone to all the trouble of shortening the 2009 season so drastically to accomodate Tennant's other projects if he wasn't coming back for a full season later. Still, this gives them plenty of time to pave the way for Doctor number 11.

I know lots of fans will be dismayed by this. Personally, I'll only be dismayed if they cast someone terrible as his replacement - I like Tennant, but regeneration is part of the show, and I'm personally ready to see what someone else could do with the part.

I'm a little confused about timing, though. Does this mean we get a regeneration in the Christmas special for 2009? 'Cause that would be a bit of a downer. (Well, if you're a sad fan like me, who always weeps during regenerations.)

Comments

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I never bonded to Dr Who, but I am fascinated with the way that regeneration has been written into the very fabric of the show. I can't think of another show where such a central character can get switched out and have it be completely normal.

[wshaffer.livejournal.com]

It is an ingenious idea, and I'm sometimes surprised that more shows haven't copied the idea. (Though I suppose most science fiction shows have much more pressing problems than "How can we gracefully survive replacing our lead actor 10 or more times?")

[neile.livejournal.com]

I'm sad, because I really like Tennant as the Doctor and think he got a lot of bad scripts. I was really looking forward to what he would do with the new person at the helm. Ah, well. So it goes with doctors who.

[wshaffer.livejournal.com]

I do regret not getting to see what Tennant's Doctor would be like with Moffatt at the helm. I imagine there will be a lot of "What would this have been like with Tennant in it?" speculation when the 2010 season airs.

[paulgreaves.livejournal.com]

Interestingly, if you believe what RTD has written in his book The Writer's Tale, the 2009 'break' had nothing to do with Tennant's extra-curricular activities. Apparently it had been planned long before then as an opportunity to recharge the production team's batteries (and presumably get a new production team up to speed). Tennant just took advantage of the break.

Frankly, I'm disappointed he isn't staying for another full season, if only because his Doctor won't get a decent build up before his regeneration.

Of course, this is the big one though. Tennant has become, in the eyes of the modern television viewer and millions of new child fans, THE Doctor - in much the same way that Tom Baker was after seven years in the role.

With a new showrunner, new Producer and new Doctor this is going to be the most delicate time in the show's history. Casting of a new actor to follow Tennant is not a job I would relish. Make or break...

[wshaffer.livejournal.com]

Interestingly, if you believe what RTD has written in his book The Writer's Tale, the 2009 'break' had nothing to do with Tennant's extra-curricular activities. Apparently it had been planned long before then as an opportunity to recharge the production team's batteries (and presumably get a new production team up to speed). Tennant just took advantage of the break.

Yeah, it's certainly looking like that's the case. All the early reporting on the break year really focused on Tennant's theater projects - I think it was the announcement of his casting in Hamlet that made people think, "Hang on, how are you going to do that and film Doctor Who?"

I am a bit annoyed that after the sucker-punch of the fake regeneration in "Stolen Earth"/"Journey's End", we'll be getting a real one just a handful of episodes on. As you've said, it doesn't look promising in terms of getting a dramatic build up. Though, I don't know how many of the specials have been scripted at this point, or when they're scheduled. Perhaps they could juggle things a bit so that we get a three episodes, broadcast in relatively close proximity, that form a story arc leading up to the regeneration?

And yes, I don't envy Moffatt the job of casting a new Doctor. Even before this news came out, I've been imagining Moffatt waking up in the middle of the night thinking, "Crap, what if I go down in history as the man who killed Doctor Who again?" Now I know he's not getting any sleep.