Doctor Who: David Tennant Leaves the Time Lord Role

Nothing lasts forever. And there’s been some sad news hitting the audiences last night. But it’s eventual and will be a long time coming before it feels accepted.

David Tennant has announced his intention of leaving the Doctor Who series after four years in the role as he makes his departure before new hands take over the series.
It’s too bad.

Maybe a little too soon than expected. But Tennant fulfilled the role admirably and made his part more popular in most recent history. One of the most popular actors to be in the title lead. You would think he might have stuck around for a little longer. I was hoping he would stay on for a fifth year before making his exit. That’s just wishful thinking.

Tennant have already made three seasons with the Doctor Who series and will be continuing to make five more 90 minute specials including the Christmas special that will be making its appearance in the forthcoming holiday. It’ll feel like a holiday without a cheer knowing the actor is leaving the part already.

Why am I a little upset? Well, not upset. Just a little distressed. It is true that much success of the series of Doctor Who is due to the changes that is brought to its creative longevity. It has helped to bring about more styles and direction for the series that is nearing its fifty year mark.
But I am a little worried. Too many changes could be stifling for a show. So many unfamiliar faces could have more unnerving atmosphere for the stories. Without continuity, without something to anchor on, one could feel lost in the mayhem.

I would’ve liked to see David Tennant stay on the part for another year yet. Just one more year would have made much more of a mark on the series. That would have felt like the right amount of years to stick around especially for an enormously popular actor like Tennant. Why is he leaving? He does know that Stephen Moffat takes over as the lead writer on the series who harbors stirring and magnificent concepts. Moffat is by far a greater science fiction writer than Russell T. Davies and will be able to bring far more extensive ideas to the series. His ideas are beautiful. They’re perfect for the series.

Who doesn’t want to be part of Doctor Who when Moffat is heading the creative force? But apparently Tennant feels it is time to go. Though I am beginning to feel what Patrick Troughton, the second actor who has played the role in the late sixties, has said may be indirectly influencing many actors’ decision to stay or leave the part. “I think three years is long enough,” Troughton said once.

It might be doing more harm than good.

But if you are enjoying the series, bringing more good than anything else, why not stay a little longer? If you are in fact a fan of the series, as Tennant has confessed numerous times, you should remain a part of the show for a while. Because it can feel like family.

But I’m a little bummed out by the decision made on Tennant’s behalf. So many changes too quickly. Perhaps there are not so many faithful actors anymore. However, after getting so much exposure for the part, Tennant is probably getting endless prospects and movie deals to further his career as an actor. He’s already won the National Television Awards. He has one for the most Outstanding Drama Performance. I’m sure that he will be getting more awards like this because of the range and extended talent of his acting. He’s like a super comet that can’t be eclipsed in the skies.

Now there could be any number of reasons why he is leaving and they are personal to the actor. Publically he confided that three years would be enough for the part he has been known to play. However, it could be that he is paying respects to the previous actors in keeping their longest records... actors such as Tom Baker who has played the cosmic role for an unprecented seven years before making his exit. That’s a long time. In some way, almost a generation of children grew up with him. His curly hair and ruffled scarf were trademarks for the role.

Will we get someone else who may play the part just as long or close to it? Might be possible.
David Tennant will be appearing five more times. The Christmas special entitled “The Next Doctor” will be written by the always dramatic Davies who does have a great knack for dialogue and character development. Maybe that is why so many British actors like him. The episode itself will see the return of one of the Doctor’s oldest and fiercest villains in the form of the steely armored Cybermen as they stalk Victorian London. The metal men’s retro-look may be perfectly suitable to this particular era of Sherlock Holmesian times.

In a small way, another way of looking at it, we’re getting a few more presents from the main actor himself: David Tennant will give us at least another half season of the incumbent Tenth Doctor before he relinquishes the role to someone else. It would be nice if the BBC could persuade him to change his mind and stay on for a while longer. Maybe they could pay him enough to reconsider the part.

But it’s not to be.

So enjoy it while we still can.

Sometimes if you like something so much, you feel like it’s going to last an eternity. You never really think about the mortality of the role. You always think that something would stay on until the end of time. It’s going to be difficult to get used to it again. But the Doctor always survives his battles and the greater odds. And so will we.