The constant succession of Doctors in the long-running BBC TV show Dr. Who allows for the show to expand, taking on a new main performer, even as elements of it remain familiar. Therefore, Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor in season 1 of the New Who makes Dr. Who a different show than does David Tennant in seasons 2-4 of the same show. Where Dr. Who with David Tennant is much more of a whiz-bang fest of funny faces and physical comedy, Dr. Who with Christopher Eccleston is just as engaging, but dryer, more restrained. I find Eccleston’s delivery crisper and smugger, with an edge of arrogance that I don’t find in Tennant. I like Tennant best, but Eccleston rates a good second.
4 Comments
I loved Eccleston, but quickly warmed to Tennant as well. It’s hard to feel animosity towards someone who wanted to play the Doctor ever since he was a kid, and aspired to get the job as well… what will he ever do now? Having fallen so hard for Tennant I now wonder if I will be able to like the new guy ~ I forget his name…. what little I have seen of him seemed a lot like Tennant, but I think he has big shoes to fill. I do ponder at the choice of so many young or ‘in their prime’ actors chosen to play the Doctor in these new seasons, when many of the previous Doctors were quite a bit older…
Had to jump in here…
I’m feeling the same way. I think Matt Smith, judging by the clips I’ve seen, will be excellent — but I’m so utterly in love with Tennant/Ten, that I just can’t fathom anyone coming after him and making me love it nearly as much.
I loved Eccleston, and still do — but Tennant, hands down, is my Doctor.
Here’s hoping Matt Smith can fill those enormous shoes. :-/
Bella, that’s exactly how I feel, too! Matt does indeed look good, but DT/Ten/10.5 have my heart.