Doctor Who

[Davros sock drawer]

Well, that's inevitable I guess, it was still the mid seventies. But the ambition it often displayed is admirable. I mean, those shots of people moving around in the sand miner windows are far better than they have any right to be.

And you're right, the mix of gothic horror and humour is perfect at this point of Philip Hinchcliffe's reign. Sadly you've only got one more Hinchcliffe produced story to go before Graham Williams takes over and the tone of the show changes again (with two notable Hinchcliffe style Gothic Horror leftovers which I feel sure you will love).

Fortunately you still have Big Tom in every story for the next 4 seasons, and the tonal shifts the programme takes now are never less than interesting.

[loathsomeleopard]

Vivid -- a big light festival held in Sydney - had a "50th Anniversary" special light show tonight. Very heavy on the Matt Smith, and less so on the classic doctors, but otherwise a lot of fun. My thoughts, photos and video of the event here for those interested: http://www.fatducktech.com/news/doctor-who-vivid-50th-anniversary-video-pics/

[Harsin]

https://mobile.twitter.com/DrWhoOnline

Can't say much more but we have been contacted by a couple of newspapers regarding some news that will be EVERYWHERE tomorrow.

"It's the end... But the moment has been prepared for" Keep your eyes and ears peeled in the next few hours folks!

BBC have sent out a press release that's under embargo until midnight tonight apparently.

[Space Renegade Ulala]

There is much of Moffat's run I dislike but Matt is/was the one part of it I unashamedly adore. I really am loathe to see him go, whereas with previous ones I either didn't really care much or, in Tenant's case, couldn't wait to get rid of the bastard.

Fact is, no send off they give him will be as great as that little bedtime speech he gave a sleeping Amelia in The Big Bang.

[Harsin]

I was about to say that I'd rather see Moffat go than Matt Smith at this point, but then I remembered that the likeliest candidate for next showrunner is bloody Chris Chibnall.

[Davros sock drawer]

Not Mark Gatiss?

[Fireproofradiator]

I'm alarmed by how quickly we're getting through doctors and there's generally mutterings of 'it's knackering' from the departed.

Would it make sense to move to a Sherlock-like model of three hour and a half shows a year or every eighteen months? That'd allow for a greater concentration on quality (I think it's probably as good as it's ever been (with possible exception of the Baker season Sprite Machine is currently backstroking through) but if the grizzling on 'ere is anything to go by there's only a couple of shows out the last half season that have passed muster) while letting the actor do other stuff in between.

[Vespa Alex]

I can't see why it's that demanding. It's not like a 22-24 episode US show.

[HarMGM]

Gah, would have loved it if Smith stayed on for another series. His incarnation is easily in my top three doctors list. But then again, the amount of offers he's been getting, it would be insane to not jump at the opportunity to go to Hollywood. Still, to bow out with having your last series be split in half and spread over two years is not exactly the bang you'd want to go out with. Let's the regenaration episode is decent then.

I just hope we get someone interesting, someone unknown again. It was a complete joy to witness Smith in Series 5 partially because he was so much of unknown quantity. Oh, and let's see if we get an older Doctor this time around.

[zxcvbnm]

BBC news now - theres something coming on about it.

[Fireproofradiator]

@Markgatiss just tweeted on Matt Smith's departure. He's doing a series after the 50th, isn't he? EDIT - No, apparently not. Thought I read he'd signed for another a few weeks back.

[sweetdaddyg]

crikey, thats a shame. I loved Matt as the doctor, but he did put in a good four years so well done to him.

[zxcvbnm]

Nope - Xmas special is his last outing, confirmed on BBC news right now

[davidcotton]

If you look at the figures most of them have only done 3-4 years each (with the exceptions for various reasons of Mcgann, C.Baker, T Baker, J Pertwee and C Eccleston).

Cheers

[Goose]

Statement - Via Den of Geek -

The BBC, showrunner Steven Moffat, and the man in question have been dancing around Smith's longevity in the role of the Doctor for months now, responding to rumours of his having quit the series earlier this year with a string of rebuttals, evasions, and brazen "He'll be the Doctor until the end of time" declarations. Now the news is finally out, here's what Smith had to say on his departure:

"Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It's been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he's a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I've never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It's been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with 'the ginger, the nose and the impossible one'. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt."

We're sure we won't be the first to raise a glass to the extremely talented Matt Smith, an actor who achieved what looked to many like the impossible by following David Tennant's well-loved iteration of the character with one equally, or arguably, more beloved. There's no shortage of viewers young and old who'll afford Smith the rare honour of being their Doctor.

Steven Moffat accompanied Smith's farewell words with the following:

"Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he'd turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him - sometimes literally - his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.

But great actors always know when it's time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt - bow ties were never cooler.

Of course, this isn't the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now - all unknowing, just going about their business - is someone who's about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that's still so exciting!"

BBC

[Harsin]

I just hope that they go for a real change of character this time, the actors each brought their own spin but Eccleston, Tennant and Smith were all basically written as the same bi-polar Doctor with a large dose of wackiness. I'd like to see something as radical as Baker to Davison.

Dream casting that will never happen: Charles Dance as the Doctor, saving the universe through harsh looks and withering put downs each week, can't see Hollyoaks-esque companions making gooey eyes at him either.

[Sarlaccfood]

I'm calling it now, the next Doctor will be Nick Pickard, the actor that plays Tony in Hollyoaks.

I've never been more sure of anything in my life.

[HarMGM]

An older Doctor in general would be a nice change of pace.

[JPickford]

I can't see why it's that demanding. It's not like a 22-24 episode US show.

Maybe they should cast twins in the role to share the burden? I think we have a pair of likely candidates on Rllmuk.

[Flams]

So hes going to die at Christmas?

[Hexx]

He'll likely resurect a few days later for a New Years Eve Special...

[sweetdaddyg]

Moffat is especially guilty of writing the doctor as captain manic depressive

it's starting to grate

[Flub]

If I was Moffat I'd already have signed up John Hurt

[Hello Goaty ♥]

I want the next doctor to be a serious Mother Funker, none of this hipster trash please.

Therefore the BBC need to aquire the services of:

[Hello Goaty ♥]

Minus 1 ey.

Who do the people want then?

I was also looking at Gerard Butler or Clive Owen

[JPickford]

Someone a bit older. Doesn't have to be a big star.

[Exidor]

Tom Hollander. Doctors played by Toms are always ace.

[SeanR]

everyone be cool, I got this!

(except he's already 79 and tied up in the states with a re-occuring role in NCIS)

[jonamok]

I'd love to see Chewie Ejiofor given the role. He'd be an awesome Doctor. Though I expect he has too much class/sense/work on to join the rapidly-sinking good ship Moffatt.

[Meh]

David Cameron as the doctor.