Things in Who change. Always Have, Always Will.

[acroyear]

My reply to: But why? Why did Eccleston step down? Why is Tennant stepping down? *pout*

But Why? Why was Tom Baker so horribly typecast by the British film and TV industry that nobody would ever give him a role worthy of his talents, thus creating the very fear that caused Davison, Tennant, and Eccleston to be nervous about what a long-term role can do to a career?

Who fans have been in what has been an unusual situation: the actor choosing to leave the show, which hadn't happened since 1984.

Neither Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, nor Paul McGann chose to leave. The Powers That Be simply made the decisions from on high and these respected actors and their collectively (in my opinion) unfinished characters were left to rot for years until novels and audios did each of them some justice to the actors' and writers' vision.

In a sense, I consider Tennant and Eccleston to be lucky in that they themselves had the choice. It hasn't always been thus.

Comments

[joliemaman.livejournal.com]

I kind of like Matt Smith, I think he'll do great

[tempest-gypsy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I understnd why, I always have. Working in the arts, I have seen first hand what the fear of typecasting can be like, and what being stuck as typecast can be like, too.

Doesn't mean I have to like hopscotch Doctors, though.

Still miss Eccleston. *pout*

[stori-lundi.livejournal.com]

Yeah but the BBC gave Eccleston crap for leaving early as they wanted him to do at least another season. I still miss him' tho'.

[petricat666.livejournal.com]

Eccleston always intended to do one season and he has been reported as rather nasty when asked to do any post publicity for Doctor Who. I think that's also why he didn't do more than a few episodes for Heroes (he literally disappeared without explanation and when they've used the character since they've only "shown" him invisible).

It is tough to do a series like Doctor Who for more than a few years. That's why there is a "Dr. Lite" episode built into the shooting schedule now.

And now that they are trending younger in casting the Doctor (Smith is 26) they want to move on to do other projects. Tennant is 37 and one of the resasons for this season being a series of movies rather than a full season is because of his desire to take on Hamlet at the RSC.

And lastly, remember that it was the "tradition" for most Doctors to leave after around 3 seasons which helps keep the show fresh. The exceptions werr Jon Pertwee (5 seasons) and Tom Baker (7 seasons) and there was real fear that after Baker no one would accept another Doctor because he played it too long.

I'm happy we got Dr. Hottie for 4 seasons.

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

as I wrote, Colin Baker wanted to go longer but the beeb said otherwise, and McCoy (being older like Jon) wanted to go longer as well, both as evidenced by the "fan" work they would continue to do (e.g., The Stranger) after the show went off the air.