Christopher Eccleston explains why he left Doctor Who

[@PauloJrchannel]

His series was absolutely fantastic, and you know what? So was he!

[@HalValla01]

nice

[@dalekemperor1984]

Nice one

[@nibncabc2737]

so was he*

[@justme7246]

Nice

[@contenido9460]

no entendí mucho alguien que me lo explique

[@Greekgirl36]

I absolutely loved 9. He was my first Doctor. Eccleston shaped my obsession with Doctor Who... Fantastic...

[@cookiee45007]

GreekGirl44 same

[@MarktMorris]

Completely. I couldn't stand the old 'Classic' Who (sorry everyone!) and only watched because of Eccleston. That moment in Ep2 when you see the pain deeply etched on his face as Jabe the tree woman says how sorry she is (and you don't even know why at that point), was extraordinary acting. I was instantly hooked. He's still my second favourite Doctor after Tenant. Ah, I do miss the days of RTD. Fingers crossed for Chibnall.

[@abioticspy9449]

dido, everyone thinks he was the worst. But through my opinion in his own way, he was the best. Without him the rebooted series wouldn't be the same or might not even still be going

[@nickfarmer2452]

Everyone remembers their first Doctor (Hi, Pete!)

[@meganlewis4754]

My first doctor was David

[@14mspickles]

Some have said that Christopher Eccleston was the moodiest, darkest doctor. But really I think he was the lightest and the fairest of all. After him, the doctors tended to be more conceited and willing to let innocents die. And I respect his decision to leave and also to not bad-mouth the others involved. He literally brought Doctor Who back to life. I will always be grateful! He was…fantastic!

[@thedoctor101fez]

Falon Teichman yeah, he was trying to be happy like that to make the pain of being the sole survivor (so he thought) of the time war. So he would either be super depressed or really happy, he went the really happy rout

[@CrapReviewer]

Falon Teichman Christopher was the darkest doctor in my opinion, but that is why I loved him. He was, and is, my favorite doctor. No moment in Doctor Who can ever beat his speech in 'Rose' about how he could feel the earth turning. Such a fantastic way for me to be introduced to the series as a child. From then on, I became a complete and utter Whovian, of old, and new Who.

[@christofferoff]

The Life Poster Oh I don't know. My favorite speech would be the first doctor to Susan goodbye speech. But I really love that one in Rose too. He really was, and still is, fantastic.

[@CrapReviewer]

SikkoSevenGaming Fair enough, that is a great speech as well. For me it could be nostalgia combined with it being a great speech in general. Also, I couldn't have put it better myself :)

[@Haz3dNightfall]

The Life Poster I thought Peter Capaldi was the darkest doctor in series 8.

[@Boop__Doop]

-Restarted the greatest show of all time -Had an amazing season -Passed the torch to another legendary doctor -Elaborates

[@jamesbizs]

And now it’s hot putrid garbage. Awesome

[@Kimbie]

@@jamesbizs What are you talking about? The recent specials were easily solid enough to pass the torch to a new era of NuNuWho from the dogshit that was ChibWho. You haven't even seen what the new series is offering and dismiss it, what, because the doctor acknowledged that Newton was hot in the specials?

[@cpenner7086]

just say you hate the "wokeness" literally stfu @@jamesbizs

[@loganchitty]

@@jamesbizseh, I disagree. I think Ncuti has been really good so far, and it was really cool to have David Tennant back for a bit. Jodie was a great choice for the Doctor, but her scripts were terrible.

[@shoshannaweinstein7193]

That last line shows the quality of his character. He won't say anything negative about people unless they are there to set the facts straight if necessary and defend themselves. That is honorable.

[@cicilys6944]

Exactly. and I now respect him even more as an actor and as a person for his honor and courtesy about such a sensitive topic. I am inspired to aim to act the same.

[@spyingcactus]

@Mike not even men can speak out against sexual harassment against women can they? Also he had anorexia and his dad was very ill. Dr Who isn't more important than his health and wellness

[@lawenda2099]

@Mike No, not likely at all.

[@MrMarsFargo]

@@spyingcactus To be fair, I don't think the harassment was going on YET when he left the role (happened when the show got REALLY big, series 2 onwards). Eccleston is definitely not the kind of person who would have stayed silent about that.

[@Guardian582]

@@MrMarsFargo given the stories with john barrrowman during this time i guarantee that it probably WAS happening, but again me can not actually speak out(and be believed) when the harrassment is by a a woman to a man

[@johntothebrogan]

Eccleston's doctor was grossly underrated

[@MaksDudekVA_main]

Agreed, most people dislike him mainly because of how little of the show he was actually in. I found his performance to be quite compelling, and he's definitely near my top spot.

[@ebolachan3451]

He was a very great doctor, perfect for the post-war doctor guilty over the things he had done (even though he was originally supposed to BE the war doctor) and without his departure there wouldn't have been possibly my favourite doctor of Tennant

[@MarceloKuroi]

John Brogan I actually stop watching the show after he departed.

[@jarjared3522]

Actually all things considered Nine is among the five most popular doctors, over half of the classic Doctors are not even recognized by casual fans.

[@MaksDudekVA_main]

Edward Bedor But how many of those casual fans give the 9th doctor the credit he's due?

[@1337ijs]

"I don't think it's important that I left. Think it's important that I did it in the first place. I don't think it's important that I left." Fucking hell, he IS The Doctor.

[@laurelrockefeller]

Well when you think about it, ALL the actors playing the doctor leave eventually. ;) People fuss way too much about it; I have to agree with Eccleston. It's not how long you play a role; it's what you do with it while its yours to play.

[@Metatr0n]

+Laurel Rockefeller That was beautifully said. "It's what you do with it while it's yours to play" and that's what he did. He turned a dusty, old, neglected, show-concept that was rotting in some office-desk into one of the biggest fandoms of this planet in merely 13 episodes. With his acting, he revived that show, hitting exactly the right nerve of the modern audience. Without him, there would never have been a David Tennant, or a Matt Smith. Without him, the paper will still turn yellow in that office-desk, doomed to never see the light of the day again.

[@laurelrockefeller]

+Metatr0n Agreed. For my part I'm thankful to Mr. Eccleston for his kind remarks regarding the relationship between authors and actors. When Richard Mann narrated my first two Legendary Women of World History biographies for audible I gave Mr. Mann ALL THE CREDIT for the beauty of those books (samples of those are on my channel). But Eccleston clearly asserts that the material has to be ON THE PAGE; the actor's work is secondary to what the author does. That was massive for me and empowered me to give myself credit for the level of work I do. Richard Mann gave his voice to the audio edition of "Boudicca, Britain's Queen of the Iceni" but I wrote it. I made that book worthy of its success. Another actor can narrate these books just as easily and they will be just as good as Boudicca. i wouldn't have understood this if not for Mr. Eccleston setting me straight (so to speak) on the matter. DIOLCH YN FAWR!

[@wfm445]

Laurel Rockefeller

[@joshbishop7134]

ISchulz I read this exactly as he said it, weird

[@Jotari]

John Hurt was nice but it's a real shame we didn't get Eccleston back for the 50th Anniversary. I wonder what kind of shit he had to put up with to discourage him from coming back for one episode, or even one (regeneration) scene.

[@AndySwaggly]

+floooooooooooooooood They could've easily got mcgann back, fucking easily... they honoured 50 years of who by getting the last guy who was in it back and a new character... OH BUT TOM BAKER WAS IN IT!! for 4 fucking minutes.. good job.. it's not a 50th anniversary it's an 8th anniversary of new who..

[@materialmanners]

+Andy Pratley the 8th doctor was in the mini prequel episode of the day of the doctor

[@AndySwaggly]

IK, it is proof he could've wiped the fucking floor clean in day of the doctor if he was in John Hurts position

[@MegaAJCProductions]

+Andy Pratley they did get Paul McGann back. For Night of the Doctor which if you ask me feels like a part of the day of the Doctor. Also my friend had only watched new Who and I know that he would have been completely confused if say McGann had played a large role. And well the way the logic of the episode works they couldn't have those older actors back for large parts sadly because of their age. It doesn't follow the logic of time crash where their age gets accelerated to keep up (that's the 10th/5th doctor episode) so they really couldn't do that, and J. Hurt did a fantastic job. I also personally think that if you don't plaster the face of the Doctor who did a double mass genocide to any of the doctors we consider heroes kind of helps with the way the show flows. And it's a cool lore point that time lords can have regenerations for specific purposes like war. Even though the sister hood did technically help the Doctor do it.

[@AndySwaggly]

So your friend would be confused if a doctor from the past came back in the 50th.. a doctor from the doctors past came back for the 50th though.. john hurt.. also Tom baker... I was confused there... who was tom baker??? kind of terrible explaining... Mcgann also doesn't look that old and we never saw his timeline. who knows what a later version could look like.. John Hurt did a good job but for the fans of the classic series.. they got no one back beside Tom Baker who didn't even play the doctor.. or did he?? wtf was going on there? They got no old companions back.. Susan (Who COULD'VE COME BACK) The only reason there is a WAR doctor is so moffat could fuck with the doctor who canon and be the person to explain the whole "13 regenerations" thing that was wasted on a terrible episode called "Time of the Doctor" he just wanted a reason for the doctor to have used up his 12 regenerations... not good writing..

[@SushiCatto]

1:56 - A very mature response. Things like that are why he's such a respectable person.

[@zeyajuicy2503]

Agreed

[@thisissupposedtobeanonymous]

Yep.

[@ZephWraen]

It was very classy of him how he handled the interview. It's been clear for many years he doesn't like or want to talk about Doctor Who anymore or why he left, but he accepted it. Not just that, but when it came to why he left, he didn't go into detail because the other parties he clashed with were not there to defend themselves. That takes some real integrity right there. A lot of actors who have started pointing fingers, playing the blame game, and painting the other guy as the bad guy, but Eccleston here simply says We clashed. They're not here to tell their side, so I'm going to refrain from telling mine.

[@GallifreyanGinger]

This interview just shows what a class act he is.

[@blatherskite3009]

Yep. And the fact he's now reprising the role in some Big Finish audio productions suggests he has no problem returning to the character - or to the Doctor Who universe in general - just so long as it's with Big Finish, not the BBC. Which seems to confirm what he said here, i.e. that he left due to falling-out with people at the BBC rather than falling out of love with the show. Cool.

[@anonimushbosh]

Maybe. Or maybe he just knew that if he said what he said he wouldn’t have to go into detail and everyone would still think what you thought.

[@mychannel-fy3tf]

I think he was honest and he’s right the other people aren’t there so he’s not going to have a debate about why they clashed just because it’s juicy gossip for the media. I did think it was strange, just one season when I saw the others doing several, but I assumed it was about the pay.

[@shayla106]

@@anonimushbosh Right....

[@rickiikaka]

Christopher Eccleston is my first and favorite Doctor.

[@allanford7767]

Christopher Ecceleston is my first Doctor and my favourite doctor but he is my joint favourite with Sylvester MCCoy he was my favourite Doctor from the classic series the seventh Doctor was Equally as good as the 9th Doctor.

[@mikeehrmantraut3041]

Allan Ford Really

[@Stefanie_T.]

Yes, same here. First love runs deep, I guess.

[@unnatural6edq]

What I love about this, is that it's what I've always believed. Without his success in bringing the Doctor back to life, as David Tennant himself said, the rest of the series wouldn't have happened. Also, what's really great about Eccleston is that people don't look at him and automatically say, "It's the Doctor!". Instead, they say, "Hey, isn't that Chris Eccleston? He's a really amazing actor. Remember him in Shallow Grave? Remember him in Heroes as that badass guy who couldn't be seen? Remember him in Blackout? Oh, and wasn't he in Doctor Who?" Instead of having to live with the stigma of being the Doctor for the rest of the career, he's been able to have the privilege of portraying him while still keeping who he is as an actor intact. That's an *amazing* feat, and I applaud him for it.

[@losgryfog]

28 days later, the military captain

[@mikeluvluc]

+Elise Quackenbush dont forget main villian in Gone in 60 seconds and Thor

[@mcouzijn]

+Elise Quackenbush To me, Christopher Eccleston will always be the young teacher Drew MacKenzie in the Channel 4 tv-series 'Hearts and Minds'. The series has been long forgotten now. It did win a Royal Television Society Award, though - no doubt thanks to Chris's contribution. I've been a teacher myself for 30 years, and can mention no other 'school drama' that is as realistic as 'Hearts and Minds' - which is unfortunately unavailable on any medium (VHS, DVD, whatever).

[@jhibbitt1]

+Movies For Newbies im not sure that john hurt will fully shift into that territory, he's just been in way too many other famous things and it was only the one episode. but yes it will certainly become equal to the elephant man, alien and nineteen eighty four as his moments he'll be remembered for

[@laurelrockefeller]

Actually I've been watching Hearts and Minds here on youtube! I love it!

[@MeBeMat]

Good on Chris to avoid telling the story of the clash, it really isn't fair to do so without the others involved there. But he's right, we do focus too much on why he left and assume he's some grump who hates Doctor Who. But he did some great work in the show, he clearly enjoyed playing the role (as he said, the "tortured" stuff in particular) even if he didn't get along with the higher-ups and really we should be glad we have 13 episodes of him being excellent than make too much fuss over why he left.

[@ElvenRaptor]

MeBeMat I honestly agree with Eccleston when he said he did what needed to be done with the 9th Doctor. As much as I'd love to see more 9, I think his tenor is best limited to what it is.

[@Zarathrustrasite]

MeBeMat He was rubbish! Thank rassilon only 13 episodes of his jug eared gurning!

[@HDHollowGaming]

MeBeMat he deserves reckonition. he revived the series.

[@tcphll]

MeBeMat I completely agree with you. That was a fantastic (wink wink) answer. Very professional and just plain classy.

[@MeBeMat]

***** "Not being fair to the fans"? We're not owed an explanation. Chris was doing the decent thing of not bitching about his former colleagues when they weren't there to defend themselves or give their own account. There's no sense in dragging up drama from a decade ago just because us fanboys are curious.

[@LydiaTarine12]

He says his strongest moments were the tortured ones, but whenever I think of 9 I think of him as being the most cheerful of the set from the new series (Matt Smith gave him a run, though). He had his serious moments, sure, some really iconic serious moments, but the cheer of him is what sticks with me the most (most prominent example: "Everybody lives, Rose. Just this once! Everybody lives!").

[@freakctc]

When I watched the 9th, 10th and 11th doctor, 9 seemed to be the only one who's happiness was genuine. 10 seemed like he was forcing it, and 11 was definiitely over-compensating it. And at some points, it seemed like 12 was trying to get back to being genuinely happy, but he kept feeling guilty about it, and preventing himself from achieving it. And then as I look back at the story, 9 was the one who survived a tragedy, and was just enjoying his '2nd chance at life'. 10 was the guy who went through some stuff, and didn't like talking about it. and 11 is the guy who tries to play it off that nothing happened. and 12 is the guy who's been through stuff, survived it, but feel s bad because he doesn't feel bad about it. That's just my view of it.

[@BlahNetworkBro]

The end of “The Empty Child” truly sets the tones for what the show is supposed to be about for me. It doesn’t always work out for the doctor, he’s seen so much evil, so much death, the joy on ecclestons face, his unmatchable smile really sells it. Just this once. Just this once everybody lives. (: all through empathy all because he took the time to try to understand the little boy instead of being afraid(:

[@darkacadpresenceinblood]

god the everybody lives moment had me grinning so much his joy was contagious😭 he lost everyone in a war and i guess in a way he thought he'd be reliving that moment except this time with a human war, but no they really did save everyone this time!!! it was so sweet

[@LordCHull]

Still my favorite Doctor.

[@TheTenthDoctor]

Chandler Hull What was that?

[@3baxcb]

Chandler Hull Being from across the pond (North American side that is), Eccleston was a good choice to bring back the Doctor. I only recall Davison as the first Doctor I watched (usually involving him getting into the worst situations) then the TV movie with McCoy and McGann. Those four actors was how I introduced to the Doctor...and bits of The Five Doctors.

[@Allaroundtheworld99]

3baxcb You got owned by the Tenth doctor. 10 will always be my fave:)

[@Jessie_Helms]

Chandler Hull He & the 10th Doctor are my favs.

[@justingreen8500]

Chandler Hull Oh how hipster you are.

[@hannahlee3859]

First doctor is always the special doctor. To be honest, Tennant is the number one in my mind, but Eccleston is different "number one".

[@elstoggy]

To be fair, he is number 9 but by fire the number 1 in my book.

[@StinsonSwarley]

+Hannah Lee Exactly! Brilliantly put

[@CoryTheRaven]

Tom Baker may be great, but he's no William Hartnell!

[@nimkal]

Tennant is a joke. He looks like a joke. In my mind he doesn't fit the role of a timer traveler with a dark past.

[@work1284]

He was just really good at hiding it. He's tortured.

[@butters742]

Christopher Eccleston Seems very honorable in his dealings with people. Not saying anything about the clash with the 3 others, only because their not there to defend themselves. You have to Admire a person for that kind of chivalry, as i would call it for the situation. He was a Good Doctor, but also is a Good Person.

[@JacktheRah]

He was a great Doctor and his regeneration episode was pretty sad.

[@NickolaiVolkov]

Agreed. I wasn't a huge fan by any means, but by his regeneration, I felt like I was just getting used to him and his style as the Doctor and was kind of sad to see him go.

[@jilliannelson1579]

I absolutely agree. I think it would've been very interesting to see him last a little longer. But it does kind of make me sad that he doesn't seem to care that he left. I just don't understand that.

[@JacktheRah]

Jill Nelson Me neither. Every other Doctor said what a great honor it was. I think he himself isn't a fan of the show.

[@laurelrockefeller]

Then clearly you have not watched many of his interviews from 2005 or since; he's said in other interviews that it was a great honour to play the Doctor. He is definitely a fan of Doctor Who.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

It was a real shame Eccleston left the series at the end of Series 1. He left too soon. But I think it turned out for the best because when David Tennant took over, Doctor Who became more popular than ever before.

[@loreensmermaid]

I just love Eccleston, he was my first doctor technically, and i love his acting!

[@CrapReviewer]

Loraine Mercier Agreed.

[@letthechallengebegin]

Loraine Mercier he was shit compared to david tenant and matt smith

[@blackham7]

let the challenge BEGIN! lol not rlly

[@echoes_of_a_story7545]

let the challenge BEGIN! I feel like your name just screams *Troll*

[@cordeliathomas8787]

Loraine Mercier He was my favourite too, 10 and 11 are my favourites though :)

[@iseethebluescreen]

the one scene in the pilot... where he says "run for your life" while holding a bomb and grinning like a nut reignited the entire franchise...

[@Liutgard]

Chris Eccleston is a class act. No accusations or names, just 'we clashed'. Truly a gentleman.

[@polishrocker93]

I admire the guts of the interviewer for trying to get that answer out of him and for Chris courteously keeping his cards close to his chest.

[@veggiet2009]

Very well answered Eccleston, bravo. And what he said is true, he is there in spirit. What the others have done since then has been built upon what he began. If the series had started with Tennant, we would have seen a very different Doctor built differently off of McGann. But because it was Eccleston who built off of McGann we have who the Doctor is today.

[@CrapReviewer]

veggiet2009 Eccleston began new Doctor Who. It may have not even taken off if someone else had been given the role. It may have flopped, like the TV movie did. Everything is owed the Eccleston.

[@ren596]

The Life Poster IIRC RTD was also considering David Tennant as the 9th Doctor So we could had one more year of Tennant as The Doctor

[@AiliLinnea]

ren596 I thought I replied to this already, but it's not showing up. RTD did *not* consider Tennant for the role of the 9th Doctor. He may have been on somebody's long list of suggestions, but RTD never met Tennant until he auditioned for Casanova, which was after Eccleston had been cast as Nine. Tennant is a fine actor, but frankly, he wasn't well-known enough at the time to be a contender for the part.

[@MoniqueFromPlymouth]

AiliLinnea I agree with ren596 as I read from a couple of sources that Tennant was the second choice to be the 9th Doctor. That can explain why the producers casted Tennant as the 10th Doctor so quickly when Eccleston suddenly decided to leave.

[@AiliLinnea]

MoniqueFromPlymouth I'd be interested to know who your sources were. I doubt they include anybody who was actually involved in the production. A couple of months went by between Eccleston giving notice that he was leaving and Tennant being offered the part. RTD was working with Tennant on Casanova at the same time that Series 1 was being filmed, so he probably came right to mind when a replacement for Eccleston was needed. But there is literally nothing to suggest that Tennant was in the running when Eccleston was originally cast.

[@jedipokewho]

Who's here after he's returning to Doctor Who in The Big Finish Audio

[@omegafd6992]

YES!

[@r0bw00d]

Yes he is here.

[@the17thdoctor1]

YEAH BOIIIIIII

[@rfaterylmaz824]

Im waiting for 2023 so he can come back for 60th year if there will be one

[@salem_meow7137]

I am so glad he is coming back

[@enfiskutensykkel]

Eccleston is by far my favourite among the newer Doctors. There's so much of the old Doctors in him, yet he literally reinvented Doctor Who. He's also a brilliant actor: One of my favourite episodes from the first season of the revived series is the Dalek one. So tormented by the past, so frightened by the Dalek. It's absolutely brilliant.

[@Bibidabee]

“Rose you’re fantastic, absolutely fantastic. And so was I”

[@HallowNocturne]

Hmmmm. I still think we're missing out for not having him all these years but he really carried himself in a respectable way during this interview. The man set the stage for the return of a beloved classic and did so in a way that left us all wanting more. He is a brilliant man and actor. I can't help but appreciate his part.

[@nicholasdickens2801]

He definitely did leave everyone wanting more. I get the impression that he'd have loved to have built upon what he did in a second series. I don't think he'd have done three or more years, simply because he's a popular actor and he'd want to do different things, but I think he'd have liked to have had another year to build upon what he'd done. Sadly as he's said before I think there were things he'd have had to become blind to as he said years ago that he'd rather not have to do. It's clear from everyone that Doctor Who wasn't lived by everyone at the BBC when it came back and its success must have rattled a few cages. I think for someone like Chris that was enough of a sign that not everyone was wanting DW to be a success and he walked. I don't blame him, I think he did the right thing for himself. Like William Hartnell he built a foundation for Doctor Who that can be built upon for years. "You fantastic. And you know what?... So was I." Yes you were Chris. You were the Doctor. You brought us all back to life and you made it all so right. "Just this once Rose - EVERYBODY LIVES!"

[@IamGrimalkin]

Do you think he left because of Micheal Grade then? I can buy that.

[@pandroidgaxie]

IamGrimalkin I've always assumed the clash was with Moffatt who has personally driven the series, and is routinely vilified in forums, lol. Someday when Moffatt leaves I'll bet Eccleston will appear on an anniversary. Just my opinion.

[@IamGrimalkin]

pandroidgaxie He drove the series 1? I thought he just wrote the empty child the doctor dances. Did he have a bigger role than that?

[@pandroidgaxie]

IamGrimalkin Oh. Sorry, I actually did not know that. If so, I have missed the boat entirely. :-D

[@rimosabysswalker3206]

Well what can i say He was Fantastic !

[@KumaGoku]

absolutely fantastic

[@klkammiller4789]

and you know what? so was I

[@simsforever791]

KumaGoku just fantastic

[@WillRamdenee]

klkammiller b

[@eolsunder]

personally I didn't like him as the Doctor. I really like his serious side, and I thought he should have been a very serious doctor, after all he was the war doctor (before the change) but he was too much on the goofy side. I really liked him when he was doing the serious parts as the Doctor, and hated him when he was doing the goofy parts as the Doctor. I don't think he pulled off goofy well, thus not registering good in my eyes. If they had made him a serious character I think it would have been a lot better.

[@NthDoctorWho]

Without you, Chris, we wouldn't have had a foundation for the New Doctor Who Thank you for your role as Nine, you will never be forgotten

[@Sezenian]

He's a very honest man "They're not here to tell their side, so I won't say too much" That is very fair!

[@oldzoldyck5403]

That was a really good answer. He didn't say that there was no conflict, he admitted that there was, then gave an excellent reason for not revealing the details. Not only was his answer professional, it was respectful, which is important and does nothing but good for the show as it is.

[@centrey5827]

Christopher Eccleston's Doctor was my absolute favorite. His humour was amazing, he was dark and moody when shit was serious but other than that he was as happy as Larry.

[@JDEhlert]

To have only done one year as the 9th Doctor, and then to have so many fans remember it, I'd say he did a fantastic job as the Doctor. I hope he has a long and successful career as an actor in all his endeavors.

[@HugoGojibiter]

There is only one way to describe the ninth doctor. He was fantastic, absolutely fantastic

[@paralegalerika_s6389]

Very honest interview. He said his side of the story and didn't want to speak bad of anyone else. Awesome man, Chris Eccleston is!

[@digitalsoldier3894]

"I'm always there in spirit" You were MY Doctor. You gave my generation the ability to watch an insanely genius show that has literally followed previous generations through TIME, Literally. Here's to those glorious 15 years ago this month! ❤️

[@RallyCarDelta]

He had an almost unbelievable grasp on the role. He played a perfect doctor fit for the role (fun, yet serious, conflicted yet clear). I think that's why people want know why he left almost to the point where it comes out in every interview. He obviously had some disagreements with the show runners. He thought it would be best to just leave and I think that's all we are really going to hear about it. He has avoided telling his side (mostly) for years and its time we let him move on.

[@bassinblue]

Christopher had the position and role to bring back one of the most loves characters on television...do you have any idea how terrifying that would have been? I am glad he did an amazing job.

[@misskitty285]

+David Harrison You're right. Coincidentally I think that's what most actors feel like when they get called to play Hamlet, as well.

[@bassinblue]

misskitty285 Yes, indeed.

[@angedejeudi]

misskitty285 I feel like it's not quite the same though. Hamlet was always there, in different interpretations maybe, but the story never left the public eye. A bad performance would've been bad for the actor and troupe involved, but that's about it, there will always be more performances. The new Doctor Who, on the other hand, was a few decades removed from the old series, so it was living as a fond memory, which is further prone to being elevated by nostalgia. If the people involved in the revival, they risk the vitriol of having ruined a childhood memory, and I doubt another attempt at reviving it would've been made had this one not been successful. Now, even if it ends its run in the future, the success of the current series proposes the possibility of a model where, after a few years, the idea could come back again. Essentially, both roles present high pressure, but the consequences are on the self vs group.

[@bassinblue]

+angedejeudi I was like 9, when doctor who was revived. I just remember in school my teachers kept talking about it on the day it was going to be shown and they were so excited, so I watched it and fell in love with it. I honestly think Eccleston is up there as one of the best doctors, even though he did 1 series. The cool thing was, was that he was the actor to play the doctor in the 21st century, which gave him a lot of control as an actor because he could evolve him to whatever he wanted and I have to say he did an impressive job, but I get that he was afraid of being a typecast...maybe being a doctor doesn't pay so well? xD

[@BNewtonUK]

In ~2005 my late grandad sat me down and introduced me to a show he held close to his heart and told me he watched it as a child. I was instantly hooked. Later that same year my grandad sadly passed away after heart surgery. I haven’t missed an episode since. I watch them in his memory and because it’s my last strong connection to him. I will never stop loving and appreciating Christopher Eccleston as the doctor. And what’s even better is he lives round the corner from me. He’s a legend in my eyes and deserves so much more credit as the doctor. Without him nothing else follows.

[@dj12699]

The first Doctor Who episode I watched was Rose. Eccleston is actually the first Doctor I EVER saw. 10 years later and we have Doctor Disco. How time flies.

[@TylerMumford]

Just give credit to where credit is due. He was the reason the series came back so strong. He was a reason that nine more seasons easily followed.

[@martinXY]

Absolutely. He was a great actor to re-launch the series. It started with a bang and just got better.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

It doesn’t matter how long he was The Doctor, or why he left. He was The Doctor. The role is so legendary that if you get chosen to play The Doctor, that’s it, you’re The Doctor, and it’ll be with you forever. I’m not even a Whovian and I know that.

[@aspetty]

He is still my favorite Doctor.

[@themindofanerd]

I love Eccleston... he got me hooked into Doctor Who

[@PolishRoman]

When pressed he was concise and classy. Good for him, he was a great doctor.

[@strandalx]

I clicked "like" on this video, even though I -really- didn't want to see Christopher leave. He truly was a fantastic Doctor, there were -so- many great moments, so many .....powerful scenes. First time he met a dalek after the catastrophy that was the Time War? His shock his anger, his -hatred- and his regret was so real ,that....even if you hadn't seen a dalek before, you soon understood why the Doctor was horrified. I'm forever going to miss this Doctor

[@aaronborgstrom2696]

christopher eccleston is a true gentleman for putting up with the same question over and over. i wished he had stayed as well, but it was his decision to leave and i can respect that. thanks for bringing me into doctor who and showing me this incredible world. the 9th doctor will always be my favorite and his line "for once, everybody lives!" will forever be my best doctor who moment.

[@singletona082]

His time was brief, but he held the largest impact by making our first truly international showing of the Doctor (well OK fine PBS showed reruns but this was NEW with not a whole lot of lag behind the UK.) He was witty, funny, caring, dark, full of rage and fear and wonder and in the end we're all flying and all you have to do is let go. Plus c'mon, dude knew how to rock a leather jacket.

[@matthewcrawford3879]

Chris...Before I go I just wanna tell you that you were fantastic. Absolutely Fantastic! And do you know what...you always will be...

[@ultracurious]

They say that your first love is your favourite...Nine is my first Doctor, and I will always have a very special place in my nerd-girl heart for the man who made me fall in love with "The Doctor". I've loved each one since, but Nine is a treasure 💚

[@lunarmy2437]

I so agree, people say that he didn't do enough seasons for them to start liking him. For me though, he's definitely my fave... ;(

[@BillinHungary]

Regardless of why Christ left, his statement that we should be glad that he was there, is spot on. Regardless of disagreements at the top, Russell T. Davis has stated that when they were thinking about reviving Doctor Who, he was concerned about who the first actor should be - He needed an actor that would be of the highest caliber, since so much would be riding on how the first season would be received. He verified that he got a call from Eccleston, who was basically volunteering. Davis said (the video is out here somewhere) "When I knew that Chris was available, I finally felt confident that we would succeed". So, in effect, Davis was backing up Chris' comment in this video "Be happy that I came" :)

[@AiliLinnea]

Bill Osborn Standing ovation for this comment. Also, your typo in the first sentence is amusing; he did play the Son of God once . . .

[@dunwich45]

Well, he did a great job kicking off the new series. I have always enjoyed his work.

[@braxtonwalden8365]

Mad respect for him, when he said “They arent here to give their side, so I won’t go into details”

[@joespencer471]

I liked the tortured and comic stuff. His performance was the one that didn't make me feel like I was watching a children's show.

[@smashmaniac2008]

Eccleston is my favorite Doctor :( I miss him.

[@AndrewChapman]

David Tennant is my second favourite Doctor (behind Tom Baker). Although I sometimes wish Christopher Eccleston could have stayed and at least done a second series.

[@WolverBean]

Christopher was my favourite doctor, he succeeded in doing something for kids (and adults) I was around 11 and when they did the modern Doctor Who and I was captivated. My mam also loved the new series as she grew up with Doctor Who. It was great to be able to share watching the show with her.

[@Tojazzer]

01:56 A gentleman showing honest character.

[@spino4313]

He was such a great doctor he is my favourite doctor he had good humor he was funny,exentric and all above of dat he has been one of the most liked doctor by the DW comunity i hope he atleast appeared on more time :)

[@PrettyGoodSamuel]

Chris, you were fantastic!

[@calebhightower6676]

What a humble dude. His series of the doctor is what I first started watching when I was a kid. Those were really great episodes.

[@MarcAllenCramnella]

Ecceleston is my SECOND favorite Doctor after the VERY greatest Doctor of them all and any honest, knowledgable fan knows EXACTLY WHO I'm talking about. I agree with Christopher that he was IN Tennant. Rose Tyler fell in love with Eccleston's Doctor and, even though David Tennant played the parting at Dårlig Ulv-Stranden, it was to Eccleston that Rose was saying, "I love you."

[@TeamFortress2SGR]

.

[@JackWolf10]

Ah yes, Troughton, the greatest Doctor! ...Okay yeah I know it's generally voted Tenninch. Troughton is still my favourite

[@Grace-oe9nd]

I honestly thought you meant Tom Baker but David Tennant is my third favorite.

[@laurelrockefeller]

Didn't Moffitt write "Day of the Doctor?" I recall CE saying it was a meeting with him about DoD that lead to his deciding not to appear in the episode. Poor writing is the number one reason why Christopher Eccleston turns down projects. He's said it many times that the writing is the key to the performance. It has to be on the page first. he has the utmost respect for writers. As an author and biographical historian I must agree myself. :)

[@MarcAllenCramnella]

Tom Baker is the Doctor of all Doctors. No one else comes close.

[@Parsley1968]

He is a man full of integrity, morals and a sense of fairness. I very much admire him.

[@harmonium101]

I really didn't feel he over shot the comedy. That was the reason I loved him and loved the show. He was lovable. But I agree, his tortured scenes were incredible and the best of all the men who have played the doctor, in my opinion.

[@jamesthecat]

Yeah, interesting, as for me that was what went wrong with the show afterwards. Tennant was great but the comedy got broader, the lines too glib, the action stupidly hectic. Even in the Capaldi era it crept back. Maybe it was a conscious decision to 'lighten up', that they wanted Chris to go along with?

[@romeosaints8500]

And now he’s back doing the *Ninth Doctor Adventures* ❤️❤️ so excited for his return after 15 years... it’s going to be *FANTASTIC* 2020-2021

[@DingleDangle66]

I loved the ninth doctor, he was the person who made me a big fan, He was my first doctor to watch! Fantastic!

[@colinharbinson8284]

Ecclestan, is a fine actor, and was a major reason that the Dr Who series restart was such a success. 14yrs later, ooops!.

[@sammycoats524]

She's a good interviewer and subsequently he was a good sport and it's just nice to see an interview like this be done classy and respectfully. Especially enjoy him saying "they aren't here to say their side" as well as her immediately respecting that and dismissing the whole topic with a joke. Good stuff

[@IanRowland01]

Please can you tell me who the interviewer is?

[@blythewarland6688]

Christopher you brought me back to Dr Who. you were the best of all of them from the very first back in 1963, your were brilliant

[@karehelmsley1357]

He was an outstanding Doctor, no doubt. But really, he's a wonderful actor and I hope someday people will accept that he's said all he's comfortable saying and will instead give him the respect of focusing on his current projects rather than pushing him about the past.

[@WeyrleaderZor]

I love how respectful he was about the "clash" and not tossing shade around. Very classy! That says a LOT about his character as a person- and it's fantastic!

[@ESSwiftOfficial]

I'll always have a soft spot for 9. His series was my favourite as a kid. I'm still torn between him and 10 being my favourite Doctor.

[@kitkat81]

He was my favorite doctor. Brought such deep and colorful spectrums, played the part so fully.

[@lisaa7011]

I loved him, and he’s the reason I became a Whovian.

[@mikaelastefkova]

Same, he was my first doctor and even tho David is my favorite, I really appreciate him..he's absolutely fantastic ♥

[@tysonallen1690]

@@mikaelastefkova i say top 3 doctors were 10. 11. 9. in that order, Im rewatching, and the 9th doctor acting is amazing, they are all good in their own way, and do a FANTASTIC job at playing their roles. since the 9th doctor only had one season, he cannot be higher than 10 and 11, but he still did and fantastic job!.

[@mikaelastefkova]

@@tysonallen1690 I agree! I really like Capaldi too uwu

[@bmc.3484]

Back in 2012 Christopher Eccleston was filming a movie in the village where I live. They were filming in a bungalow near where a friend of mine lived. He said he came in from work one afternoon and loads of kids were outside wanting to see DR Who. When he went inside he said his mam was with Gemma Arteton in the kitchen and Terence Stamp and Christopher Eccleston were both in the living room. After saying hello, my friend said to Christopher Ecclestone that loads of kids were outside wanting to see DR Who. Christopher Ecclestone then went straight outside to see the kids, no complaints whatsoever. Top bloke.

[@rhysmccartney2076]

Tennant and Smith could portray the sadness, the age and the anger of the Doctor amazingly well, but sometimes they didn't seem like the Doctor at all. Eccleston was the Doctor ALL the time.

[@sorrowandsufferin924]

Christopher Eccleston, to a lot of, especially younger, fans of Doctor Who, was our introduction, not only to NewWho, but to Doctor Who in general. Much as I love 11 and 10, much as 12 will always be my Doctor, 9 was my introduction; and he was fantastic, absolutely fantastic.

[@FargosGames]

"but they are not here do say their side, so i am not going to go into detail". That is the most grown up thing i have ever heard from a celebrity

[@robbytomminson5807]

Please come back. We need you. You were a fantastic doctor. Please

[@AlekWheeler]

I think the best thing an actor can do is leave you wanting more. I've always wanted another glimpse at this doctor when I could care less about 10 and 11. My first, and even with 12 giving him a run for his money, my favourite.

[@terrycharnley]

Chris Eccleston's doctor is extremely underrated and he was first there for the revamp. I thought I'd grown out of it then, when it came back, but I have since a chance to see series 1 again and I love it. There are some amazing episodes, The Empty Child and The Doctor Dances and Father's Day being outstanding for me. Thanks Chris, you WERE fantastic. Glad you did it.

[@ArmyGuyDan]

I was pissed that he only had 1 season as Dr Who

[@Ray-mw1fx]

me too

[@AbsoluteAbsurd]

Same

[@Morhek]

Even after the way he was treated, the professionalism and class Chris shows over his time on Doctor Who just continues to astound.

[@DaBIONICLEFan]

It's a shame because he was brilliant as the Doctor. Some amazing acting in that Series 1.

[@JamesOhGoodie]

***** I agree. Say what you will, but every actor cast as the Doctor has been perfect. Frequently it's their commitment that holds together weaker stories.

[@dmfl2004]

Good on you Chris for saying that you would not discuss why you left because the other side was not there. Thanks for bringing the Doctor back. And yes you are there in spirit!

[@justinsingh1569]

Who's here after he's coming back for big finish?

[@r0bw00d]

Yes he is here.

[@todengel6692]

I love the respect he gives for those at the top that hes not going to speak on the matter unless they are there to tell their side of the story. I'm a fan of Eccleston and this gives me respect for him

[@temptempy1360]

He re-launched Dr Who, he hit everything right on target. The humour was smack on

[@kingshark9057]

I really wish he had a second series but I respect him for thinking for himself

[@lifebyteshorts]

"They're not hear to say their side, so I'm not going to go into details." Way to adult. Definitely a lacking quality these days.

[@TheScarletSlayer]

I still wish he could have made one return for the day of the doctor special in place of the war doctor. Three of the best new who doctors all in one place would have been great.

[@cpuwrite]

You have to admire him for having the class not to make statements about others when they're not there to give a counterpoint. This is an act of great integrity.

[@iainhewitt]

I don't understand why Chris gets the vitriol he receives from certain parts of the Who fandom. He is a brilliant actor, he was an Brilliant Doctor, and he left when it was right for him. He didn't muddy the waters at the time, chose a small lie to protect the show and not come out swinging, "It was all Bob, Mary and Jock! They hated me!" and to this day does not get nasty, or name those who he couldn't get along with. Classy guy.

[@lawenda2099]

I have never, ever heard anyone talk shit about Chris.

[@NathanielGrauwelman]

He's so gracious and mature about the whole experience. Such a great guy.

[@MrDagren]

What a very classy response.

[@halfkinrainbolt7041]

It IS important that you did it! You are one of my favorites! We love your spirit.

[@SG0041]

he was the best doctor in my opinion

[@batmanlaughed800]

Of the modern era, yeah, Peter C is a fine second in order, but he was the best because he was the most believable one of the new era. 10 and 11 are just pretty boys that appealed to the fux fans who are into the romantic drama instead of the sci fic.

[@batmanlaughed800]

***** really

[@James-712]

If Eccleston had a longer run time I have no doubt he would probably be the best new doctor

[@dangerouslytalented]

... except that Doctor Who's audience is about 60% adults who grew up with it.

[@AiliLinnea]

dangerouslytalented It's meant to be enjoyed by *both* adults and children, and as such, was a new acting challenge for Eccleston. Everything he'd done up until that point was aimed at adults only.

[@dangerouslytalented]

AiliLinnea Yeah, I mean, the whole kiddult thing is not new though, look at 60s Batman or the Goodies from the 70s or the Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, American Dad and so forth from the 90s and this century. And Doctor Who was always like that, what killed it in the 80s was when they tried to skew way too much towards the kiddies with Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy.

[@IamGrimalkin]

Grew up with it is the key word. Doctor who fans generally start as children, even if they don't end as such. Although I think the percentage is less than that. It's more like 20-30% if you're talking about casual viewers rather than fans. Also Baker and Mccoy were killed off by executive meddling more than anything else. But really it had more provision for older audiences than most of the rest of doctor who. That's why it was full of satire and rhetorical devices, moral ambiguity, had stunts to try to bring up lapsed adults back, and was full of references to episodes the kid audiences weren't alive for. But even then, all doctor who is ultimately for kids (although by that I'm including older teenagers), because that's where the new audiences mostly come from.

[@dangerouslytalented]

Really loud girl Yep, and now you are now one of the adults who grew up with it. There's 50 years worth of adults out there who grew up watching Doctor Who, either first run or reruns. mostly reruns, because there are so many episodes of the old series that it makes TV programmers lives much, much simpler to put it on during the late afternoon or whatever and just leave it there indefinitely.

[@IamGrimalkin]

dangerouslytalented While I'd love to to be true, they've only broadcast a handful of classic who stories in the last decade (meanwhile rerunning series one about ten times).

[@JJohnston4Life]

I loved Eccleston's run!

[@michaelandrews117]

Eccleston is easily one of the best actors Britain has. His work in The Leftovers is a testament to that.