Matt Smith has just hinted that the upcoming 2012/2013 season of the popular British sci-fi show, Doctor Who, will be his last in the titular role. The sixth season of the rebooted series, and Matt Smith’s second in the role, just finished airing. So, what will Smith do once he finishes working on the show? He’s going to try and break into Hollywood. It’s no surprise, really. Smith has been eyeing a foray into American cinema for some time now. While he has had nothing but positive energy and enthusiasm over his role, it is the show’s nature never to stay static for too long. Smith’s predecessors, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant, each only played the role for one and three seasons respectively. Smith’s entrance into the role also signaled a change in the production team: producer Russell T. Davies handed the torch over to Steven Moffat and his production team after four years of guiding the show.
Since then, Smith has been the posterchild of Moffat’s ideas for the series: a fun, bouncy, high-energy adventure epic with plenty of mystery and intrigue. Moffat has struck a balance between using reliable Doctor Who villains like the Daleks and Cybermen and fresh, new villains, like The Silence. Smith’s Doctor is kept company by Amy Pond and Rory Williams. He has also had numerous run-ins with the mysterious River Song, a character first introduced in the excellent “Silence in the Library” two-parter during David Tennant’s last season.
Smith’s successor will be the Doctor’s twelfth incarnation. His departure from the series will presumably kick off the 50th anniversary of the show in 2013. It isn’t clear if Moffat and his production team will remain on the show, but there’s no reason to suspect they’re going anywhere. While Smith is my least favorite of the three modern doctors, he certainly won me over with his charismatic portrayal and enthusiasm for the role. Stay tuned to Comic Booked – I’ll be covering any news about the casting search for Smith’s replacement as it becomes available.
Tags: Amy Pond, Chrisopher Eccleston, comic booked, David Tennant, Doctor Who, Eleventh Doctor, Kyle Black, Matt Smith, River Song, Rory Williams, Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat
About the Author
Written by Kyle Black
“It is the show’s nature never to stay static for too long…” and to this I say “Tom Baker”.
In all seriousness, I hate to see Smith go, but I can’t help but be excited to meet the Twelfth Doctor.
I’m not all that surprised by it. Smith is my least favorite Doctor since Tom Baker. Those were the days when Who was Who.
I like Smith, but my relative lack of surprise comes more from the fact that most Doctors have stayed for three years or less.
The exact quote is “I’ve got another year of ‘Doctor Who,’ but then I’m certainly going to come and give it a shot, come and hang out in LA.”
Very true and I’m hopeful that it’s more rampant speculation than anything else. Official Doctor Who outlets have been quiet thus far.
You guys in the States don’t get the Sun, but announcing that the actor who plays The Doctor is quitting is practically a Christmas tradition in Britain.
Since Russell T. Davies achieved popular success with the show anyhow.
Wasn’t the official RTD Doctor Who Christmas tradition Britain being run over by aliens?
j/k Here’s to hoping it is a rumor.
Nah, Russell’s Christmas tradition was awful celebrity stunt casting….Kylie Minogue!!
Matt Smith is ok, but I have to say that my favorite Doctor was David Tennant. He even makes me want to speak with a British accent.
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its sad that is proberly is leaving iv got attacted to so bad i dont wont to let go of him he is awsome ever since he came on our screen if he is the bye matt smith it was fun and nice to see you xx
I’ve never commented on a web post before, but I HAD to chime in: You guys are nuts. Smith is the BEST of all doctors. My doctor was Baker, until Smith. He’s the perfect embodiment of everything I like about the character. And Tennant? I like the man, but he never seemed like a Doctor. Too cute and coy to be an alien with the past he’s supposed to have.
I’ll say it again. Matt Smith is awesome. Geronimo!