‘Doctor Who’ Actor Christopher Eccleston Opens Up About Leaving Show After One Season
Christopher Eccleston helped to reboot Doctor Who for a younger audience in 2005. He left after just one season, and it appears that it was not just because he only originally wanted to do it for a year. After 10 years, he has finally opened up about leaving the show, and his northern accent does not seem to have been the problem.
At one point, there were many rumors that his decision not to get rid of his Manchester accent was the reason for him leaving. However, the Doctor Who actor says that it was due to clashes with the bosses. It appears that he wanted to play The Doctor in a much more light-hearted, comedic way to bring in younger fans to the show. He admits that the tortured scenes were where he succeeded more, but he would have done it very differently if he could go back.
“I don’t think it’s important that I left – I think it’s important that I did it in the first place. I’m still there – I was in David Tennant, I was in Matt Smith, I was in Peter Capaldi. I’m always there in spirit.”
The Daily Mirror reports that Eccleston shared the truth while appearing on Loose Ends on Radio 4. He explained that he had a very different view of Doctor Who than the bosses did, and neither were going to compromise.
It was not a bad decision for Christopher to leave the Doctor Who part. He has gone on to have a lot of success on TV and in movies. Some of his most notable roles include Thor: The Dark World and Safe House. He shared that, by leaving, he was less likely to stay within his comfort zone and become known for only that one role.
The Huffington Post also shared the interview, making a note that Eccleston says that he is still there. He is in Doctor Who in spirit, whether it was through David Tennant, Matt Smith and the latest regeneration of Peter Capaldi. The later actors follow directions and characterizations former regenerations have performed. Smith took a lot of Tennant’s actions to mimic during his tenure as The Doctor.
During the interview, he was extremely respectful of the Doctor Who producers not being there to share their side of the story. He understands that there are two sides, and so refrained from saying too much. In fact, most of the time, he partially blamed himself and made it clear that there seem to be no hard feelings between them. It was a professional decision that has worked out for all parties involved.
“Myself and three individuals at the very top of the pyramid clashed so off I went. But they’re not here to say their side of it so I’m not going into detail.”
Many were upset to not see the actor appear in the 50th anniversary special. Now, fans hope to see him in a Doctor Who episode if there is a 10th anniversary of the reboot, which will occur this year.
[Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images]
