david should stay he was the best doctor ever the next one sounds rubbish come back DAVID!!!!!!!

By bruno. Posted January 8 2009 at 1:50 PM.

I don't understand how anyone can call themselves a fan, rather than a frequent viewer, and diss someone cast by the production team without ever seeing him on screen. I remember the outcry at "that pop star" Billie Piper being cast as the first companion--you'd think they'd cast Britney Spears! And that was nothing compared to "fan's" disgust at the return of Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. I personally wasn't mad about the Martha storyline, and was glad to have a companion that wasn't hot for the Doctor. If you call yourself a fan of the show itself (rather than specifically David Tennant), you owe it to the production team to wait and see before criticizing--their casting has been spot on until now.

By sarah. Posted January 6 2009 at 2:28 AM.

Tennant is the best doctor ever and having him being replaced by a novice is kinda insulting. But I'm still going to give this guy a chance, he MIGHT turn out to be good.

By :P . Posted January 5 2009 at 7:59 PM.

I will never be surprised at how small minded, presumtive and arrogant the general public can be.

Who are they to assume that they know better than the Doctor Who production team, who have so far made very few mistakes.

I intend to reserve judgment about Matt until I see his performance, but I wish him all the best in his new role as the Doctor, and I have nbo doubt that he will be a fine addition to to the TARDIS.

On an more logical note, since the Doctor regenerates his body to heal himself, why would he regenerate into an older body? It makes far more sense for him to make himself younger.

By Dave. Posted January 5 2009 at 2:52 PM.

I don't remember doctor who being around in 96!?

By Chris J. Posted January 5 2009 at 2:44 AM.

Somebody give the poor boy a feed - he's looking awfully gaunt and half starved. Its a shame they didn't name Billie Piper as the new Dr. Looks like I'll be tuning out again.

By Bridie. Posted January 5 2009 at 1:16 AM.

long live david tennant!!!!!!!!!!!!

By chaz. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:31 PM.

Like a lot of people I am let down to see David Tennant go. But if they wanted to change the Dr again, I think they made a great casting decision by choosing Smith.

By Melissa. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:24 PM.

I’m sorry but he is far to young for this part and looks far to young for this roll. He came across very bad within the interview and looks like a poor mans David.
when DT took over from CE I thought great as he was a world apart from Chris. I was still sad to see Chris go, but thought David could start fresh and make it his own. Matt is a clone gone wrong of David and aimed not a family audience but just the younger teens.
I will give it a go but I think it will have the same appeal as Britainy high to me and me kids and the off button will be pressed.
Shame.

By paul storey. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:56 PM.

Nice to see sections of Doctor Who fandom working hard to maintain their reputation as calm, reasonable people, not at all raving nutters.

For Pete's sake people, have a bit of faith in the producers of the series! They wouldn't have cast someone who wasn't any good. As great as David Tennant is, I'm looking forward to seeing what the new guy can do. He's garnered some impressive reviews for his theatre work.

By Chris Halliday. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:48 PM.

I did want David Tennant to stay for years, but he decided to quit i thought it was a stupid thing to do because he is so unique for the role. But Matt Smith got the role for the 11th doctor, i dont get why some people are already complaning about it yes his young but that doesnt mean his going to have a bad reign as the doctor give the lad a chance he blew away moffat in auditions honestly as much as i love David Tennant, i wish all the best for Matt Smith in 2010 and Beyond

By bridge. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:59 PM.

david tennant is the ultamate doctor he brings such a amzing feel to the show and viewers really connect to him. When matt smith was announced i screamed and nearly started crying like a child . how can such an amazing show cast such a rubbish actor. Smith seems really smug and vain which are qualities Tennant doesnt have
Long live david tennant !!

By beth . Posted January 4 2009 at 6:58 PM.

How can anyone judge the decision no one has seen him in Dr Who yet. Personally I think he will be fine and another great asset to the show.

Like David he has done a lot of his acting in theatre before he has hit the television.

I have confidence in Stephen Moffats choice (after all Russell wouldn't have passed it to any person).

If Matt does read this Good Luck and i am confident that you can fill the void that David will leave.

By Sarah. Posted January 4 2009 at 6:08 PM.

Matt Smith - Who?

On the otherhand, give the guy a chance - just wish we had more David Tennant in 2009 - a whole proper season not just 4 Specials - no chance for a decent Story Arc to develop - Bad Wolf, Torchwood, Who os Mister Saxon etc.

Good Luck to Matt Smith and hope get a decent and reasonable hand-over storey - prpoer reason for Regeneration.

By Dave. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:09 PM.

I think that David Tennant isthe best Dr Who so far, and his are extremely big shoes to fill. I was dreading the likes of David Morrissey and Paterson Joseph getting the role but when Matt Smith was revealed my first reaction was "who?" and my second was good, he's an unknown so I have no preconception about him. He will bring something new to the role and I'm looking forward to seeing his interpretation of the dr.

By Vicky. Posted January 4 2009 at 3:41 PM.

Give him a chance. I didn't know who David Tennant was either at first and looked how brilliant he turned out to be.

By CeeCee. Posted January 4 2009 at 2:21 PM.

He is literally "Dr WHO. I hope and prey that David will return as the other dr that went away with Rose.

By Julie. Posted January 4 2009 at 2:15 PM.

lol - this show is mainly aimed at kids? Their imagination is far more open than the adults who are complaining. Youngsters will love it no matter who the doctor is. It's all about monsters for them.

By Gary S. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:55 AM.

when tennant was 1st given the job every one said that is it for doctor who and look what he did. As for matt looking smug in the interview woudnt you been given the best job in tv. Lets face it he has appeared in the west end has a good stage background given a haircut and the right scripts and costume he will be fantastic how can all you people right the bloke off before he has even started i say good luck matt and good luck being the 11th dr

By andy. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:04 AM.

Some people have some very strong, and possibly negative views about this recruiting. Strangely enough, I heard (and read) so many similar ones three-and-a-half years ago, about some relative non-entity Scotsman... a guy who went on to become the greatest Doctor ever - in my opinion. I trust Steve Moffat... I can't see him trumping Tennant... but I won't be shocked if he does.

By DS. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:55 PM.

To be honest i dont think its going to work i mean they have tried to ease it on the public with a daid tennent kind of look a like but what i have seen him perfrom on tv he isnt rubbish but he's not excellent.Although i think it does go to show you dont have to be famous and got to these posh drama schools to become the uk's most famous part in tv.He could be classed as an inspiration to the younger generation but i am not going to say too much on how i dissagree with him untill i actually see im in 2010 as the doctor but it will be a massive change to what we are used to seeing.

By Matthew. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:33 AM.

Is it a mistake? Only if you look at the probables (Carlyle,Nesbitt etc...) But Tom Baker was a total unknown, and look what he did with the role. I will reserve judgement until after the end of his first series. But he does look very young.
Wouldn't surpise me if they brought back The Master for Matt Smith's first season - just to give it some clout

By Dave. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:30 AM.

I was surprised when I saw who the new Dr Who is going to be, but in a pleasnt way as I think that he'll be pretty good in the part and am looking forward to seeing him in it.

By alan. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:53 PM.

I am very disappointed it was on the news that DavidTennent was staying as the Dr this is out of the blue that this new man has been announced as the Dr. my family are great fans of the show , but we will give the lad a go and hope he dose well, but he has some very big shoes to fill after David. If all fails give the job of the Dr to John Simm he was great as the master and would be brilliant as the Dr.
LONG LIVE DR WHO!!!!!!!!!!!

By a dr who fan. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:18 PM.

Hi Studini here , hello to you all wounderful readers .

I think Vanessa mae would be a good Doctor Who she has the personality to pull it off and it would be nice to have a lady of enourmous talent player Doctor Who .
Or maybe Lee Evans would be another choice.
Hang loose take it down a peg from Studini.

By Studini. Posted January 4 2009 at 11:49 AM.

When David Tennant took over I had never heard of him either. The show gave him a chance to show his talent. Matt Smith looks promising and I'm not affraid to say I'm glad the BBC didn't jump on the Obama bandwagon or cast a woman.
The Doctor is and always has been a white man. And by the way, before I get called racist, if the Dr was originally a black woman then I would be in the opinion that the Dr should remain a black woman.

By me.com. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:06 PM.

The minute Matt appeared on the tv I jumped up and down and screamed like a 5 year old scream who just got a Wii for Christmas. All my housemates thinking I was having a fit.
I've seen Matt in the theatre quite a few times, Fresh Kills, Swimming With Sharks and History Boys and also watched him in Ruby in the Smoke and Party Animals. This guy is the genuine article, mark my words! Every time I saw him on stage he blew me away, in Swimming with Sharks he was acting up against a high calibre of actors and made them look second fiddle to his portrayal of Guy. Steven Moffet has performed a master stroke for having the bravery and confidence in choosing Matt. People are going to nag and say he's too young and the character needs a more experienced actor but from watching Matt perform I have seen that he has so much presence, who commands every scene that he appears in. If he puts in the passion and dedication like David Tennant I see no limits to Matt's abilities. Great work BBC.

Fantastic choice as the new Doctor.....Fantastic!

By Mark Shear. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:02 PM.

I really don't understand some people.

I'm a big Who fan, and when I saw the programme revealing Matt last night I thought "who?" because I've not seen him in anything. Then they showed clips of him in his previous dramas, and he looked really good. It's wrong to judge his age and looks as he will not be playing himself, but rather the doctor.

When they revealed Christopher Ecclestone was going to be the Doctor I thought he'd be awful as I'd only ever seen him in gritty dramas, but he was brilliant. Then I thought David Tennant was a bit foppy as I'd only seen him in Casanova, and I couldn't imagine a Scottish doctor. Again I was wrong. In comparison, look at the furore over Daniel Craig becoming the new Bond - and I think he's great now.

It's easy for us to say it's wrong, or we'd prefer someone else, but the production team and writers who have got it so right in the past know a lot more than we do; so quit your bellyaching, give the guy a chance, enjoy the final specials with David, and you won't even have to worry about Matt for another 16 months! Honestly, by then we'll be used to it, and he'll hopefully be a good Doctor.

I can't believe how judgemental people can be. I wish him luck.

By Lisa. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:01 PM.

He looks about twelve and sounds it, too. Who is going to believe in this guy? It's a stupid, stupid choice obviously just aimed at keeping the kids on board by giving them a yoof Doctor. He'll probably wear a hoodie.

By tony ingram. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:14 AM.

The new Doctor has had a huge theatre career - I saw him at the National Theatre in The History Boys. All those of you quick to slate him just because you haven't seen him on the trite TV you watch, open your eyes and maybe get yourselves out there to have a look at some of the fantastic actors that are in our theatres.

By sarah clarke. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:28 AM.

He's too much like David. Tom Chambers would have been a better Dr Who.

By David. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:27 AM.

A big named actor taking over from David Tennant just wouldn't have worked, as David has made such an impression on fans. Putting a relatively unknown actor in the role is a brave descision, but on the positive side it means we have no preconceptions about how he will play the Doctor. Give this guy a chance before writing him off as rubbish.

By Jane. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:42 AM.

Strange that everyone talks about the actor and no one mentions the script.
The success of Dr Who is dependent on a combination of the script and the actor. A bigger threat to Dr Who is the departure of Russell Davies.
The original demise was the introduction of McCoy (older and experienced!!)and some appalling scripts - lets hope the BBC have learnt from that error and wish our new Dr Who all the best for 2010 and onwards

By David. Posted January 4 2009 at 10:06 AM.

Given his history of appearing with Billie Piper one can't help thinking it was more down to having the right agent than any particular talent on his part. Unfortunately for him I think he's joining this programme at a time when people will realise Doctor Who is the drama equivalent of The Emperors New Clothes.

By big rear. Posted January 4 2009 at 9:55 AM.

A breath of fresh air! Thank God that there's going to a change.

By Jodie. Posted January 4 2009 at 8:33 AM.

The same people here who are slating him, will the same ones next year saying hes a brilliant Dr....Fact!

By Sam. Posted January 4 2009 at 7:14 AM.

Whilst I wish him every success (and I'm sure he will make a good doctor)... why am I not surprised that the two black guys were passed over???

Seem the UK really is not ready for change....

By Jels. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:59 AM.

I seem to remember when Daniel Craig was cast as 007 and Bond fans were up in arms claiming that this blond actor would never be licensed to kill the public playing the role. And they even set up web sites in an attempt to remove Daniel Craig as the new Bond. But after the stunning success of Casino Royale Daniel Craig proved his worth and the rest is history.

My suggestion to a similar group of outraged and zealous Doctor Who fans is simple: give Matt Smith a chance to show us what he can do. No amount of campaigning is going to change the BBC's mind about his appointment as the eleventh Time Lord, so let us see what the Spring of 2010 brings. You never know, Matt Smith might make history as an outstanding Doctor.

By David Smith. Posted January 4 2009 at 4:11 AM.

He looks like a scruffy student! Sorry, but at the moment I can't take him seriously at all. I will him a chance when the series starts but I thought they would have come up with someone a bit more spectacular than him to replace the brilliant David Tennant. And what audience are they going for in giving role to him? Tweenies? He looks a little too smug for my liking too. BUT I will try my hardest to like him. I hope that the makers find a permanent companion for the Dr in the 4 specials this year so that person is carried into 2010 so there is at least some continuity. Captain Jack making an appearance would also help to cement this guy in the role. I feel sorry for whoever took over from Tennant but an unknown? Talk about being thrown to the wolves!

By Lottie. Posted January 4 2009 at 2:40 AM.

can you people not give him a chance?

By kate. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:40 AM.

Haha you blooming Daleks.

You just stick to what/who you know, and cower away behind the sofa at the things you don't!

By GoodLord. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:39 AM.

All these people asking who is he? Cast your mind back to 2005 when you were all, including this newspaper, asking the same thing of David Tennant. Trust me, this guy is THAT good of an actor... he'll blow DT away.

By Republikraut. Posted January 4 2009 at 1:31 AM.

I cannot believe they've cast a 26 year old who looks 21 as the Doctor. I don't care how much talent he has. He is simply too young for the part. He looks like the Hollyoaks Doctor. Based on this casting my assumption is that his companion will be a 21 year old blonde (i.e. Rose 2.0).

By Charmaine. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:52 AM.

You'd think something life changing had happened to Doctor Who if you read a lot of the forums out there.

I really dont understand why theres such a backlash out there, he's not even the Doctor yet so how can people judge how he's going to be. Yes he may be the youngest Doctor and different from David Tennant but surely people want a different Doctor - it's what keeps the show fresh.

I'm not sterotyping but i think there a lot of unmarried men out there, some who still live at home or on their own who have a lot of time on their hands !

Just leaving the judging till you see the guy as the Doctor, and if you don't like it, don't watch again - no need to moan about it on a forum, surely getting a life is preferable !

By Daryl. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:56 AM.

i'v seen his acting skills in so many videos now i am sad to say this is going to be the worst doctor ever, David Tennent i had faith in after seeing him in casanova but this guy is a trainwreck waiting to happen.

By pj. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:51 AM.

He'll be very good i'm sure. will bring new life in to it & take it to differant areas, not that meany people would have heard of any of the last 10 Doc's before they did it & that is one reason why this guy will be good as people wont go on too much about what else he's done which makes it fresh. I think he'll bring a darker side to Doctor who us well that has'nt realy been seen since Tom Bakers early stories.

By si. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:49 AM.

I totally agree, the BBC has made a huge mistake here in hiring this guy as the new Doctor and think this will eventually lead to the fall from grace in 2010. I agree any assitant will either look like his sister, mother or Grandmother. How can such a prestigious role be offered to a virtual unknown? I'd love to know who were invited for auditions because if the likes of messars Nesbitt, Carlyle or even Izzard were then Im sorry, this young man is not in the same league IE Experience for one! This is a HUGE mistake and reminds me of when Davidson got the job and made a hash of it and this led to the ultimate downfall of Dr Who in the ratings!! RIP Dr Who....!!!!!!

By Matt. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:41 AM.

It's not a case of Dr Who, it's more a case of who?

By stevo. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:21 AM.

I think to summarily dismiss Matt Smith based on nothing more than his age, looks or the perceived previous lack of an acting career speaks volumes and smacks a little of arrogance.

Dr who will survive purely because of its uniqueness and ever changing style

By edison_carter. Posted January 4 2009 at 12:20 AM.

For goodness sake, give the bloke a chance! Yes he's young, which I think we'll all take time to adjust to, but Moffat and co were lookign for a 40ish doctor, and Smith blew them away in auditions, so they cast him instead. They must have seen something in him that will be good.

By Ruth. Posted January 3 2009 at 10:58 PM.

I worked on Party Animals
Matt will be fantastic!!

By Leighton. Posted January 3 2009 at 10:54 PM.

Ive just seen the announcement, in my opinion this is a very bad choice, and will no doubt spell the end of Dr Who, for a couple of reasons:
Firstly, Matt is way to young to be considered for this part, if they are trying to keep a young audience, this isnt the way, they needed someone with charisma, charm and some kind of life experiance! So hype all you want bbc hes too young!!

Secondly, ALL of the Drs companions will look like his mother!

Thirdly, to go for an unknown after David is such a mistake there are no words........

RIP Dr who 2010

By Musicangel. Posted January 3 2009 at 7:38 PM.