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TARDIS Interior to Get a Redesign to Go With the New Doctor

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

tardis console room series 1The Telegraph is reporting that the current TARDIS interior will be given “a complete overhaul” before the end of David Tennant’s run, just in time for new Doctor Matt Smith to take over.

The details are a little sparse at this point, but the redesign was the idea of new producer Stephen Moffat, and has been described as “the most high-tech, intricate TARDIS ever.”

Personally, I really like the current interior, but wouldn’t mind seeing something a *little* closer to the traditional roundels and columns, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see before I pass judgement.

If it’s just a matter of changing the “desktop theme” of the TARDIS and the current one is “coral” (cf. Time Crash) I guess the whiners among us fans will have to call it the “emo” theme.

Being the fanboy I am, I’ll just leave you with the words of the second Doctor from The Three Doctors:

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Posted in 11th Doctor, 11th Doctor Matt Smith, David Tennant, Doctor Who, Doctor Who News, Steven Moffat | 2 Comments »

11th Doctor Who Announced: Matt Smith, the Youngest Doctor Ever

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009

11th doctor who matt smithIt’s official. As I mentioned in yesterday’s article “11th Doctor to Be Announced Saturday” the BBC has announced the actor to play the 11th Doctor on Doctor Who, replacing departing Doctor David Tennant.

The new Doctor will be played by Matt Smith (pictured right), who will be the youngest actor to play the part at 26 years old. Before this, the youngest person cast as the Doctor was 5th Doctor Peter Davison, who was 29 when he took on the role.

Billie Piper and Matt SmithSmith is a relative unknown, only having played a few roles in his short career, but personally I think when it comes to playing the Doctor, it tends to be a great choice casting someone with talent but without a huge name.

Smith has a past Doctor Who connection by having acted opposite of Billie Piper on three occasions: in the productions of The Ruby in the Smoke, and The Shadow in the North as the character Jim Taylor (pictured left), and he also appeared in one episode of Piper’s show Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

Matt Smith the eleventh Doctor WhoReactions among fans so far has been mixed, with many reacting the same way that so many fans have done over the years (including myself back in the ’80s) of “NO! YOU CAN’T CHANGE THINGS!!”, and others objecting to him being too young.

While this will be the first time there’s been a current Doctor younger than myself (David Tennant being *slightly* older than me), I don’t have a problem. I’ve only seen his appearance on the Doctor Who: Confidential, which isn’t much to base an impression on, but I trust the opinion of incoming producer Steven Moffat, who is a true fan and writer.

Moffat is absolutely raving over him, and according to his interview on the Confidential, Smith was the second person to audition for the part, and they knew he was the right one instantly.

11th doctor who matt smithThe role of the Doctor needs a certain weight behind it and that “old man in a young man’s body” quality which I think is rather hard to find in a man in his 20s or even 30s.

But from the clips of Smith talking about taking on the role, as well as the clips of his past work, I have a good feeling about him taking on the role and can picture him as the Doctor.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see how things play out in 2010, but personally, I’m excited.

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Posted in 11th Doctor, 11th Doctor Matt Smith, Doctor Who, Doctor Who News, New Doctor Who, Who is the New Doctor Who | 6 Comments »

11th Doctor to Be Announced Saturday

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

The BBC has stated that they will be officially announing the name of the actor who has been hired to play the eleventh Doctor.

The new actor was cast last year, and the BBC uncharacteristically was able to keep the lid on the secret through the holidays.

Head of drama at BBC Wales, Piers Wenger said: “We believe the actor is going to bring something very special to the role and will make it absolutely their own. I just can’t wait to tell everyone who it is – it has been a nail-biting Christmas trying to keep this under wraps!”

Speculation on the name of the eleventh actor to play the Doctor in the long-running series since William Hartnell began it all back in 1963 has been fevered since it was revealed that tenth Doctor David Tennant would not be returning to the role in 2010 when the fifth series begins.

Many names have been bandied about, including Jeckyll actor James Nesbitt (who I personally think would make a great Doctor, and who certainly has an in with new producer Stephen Moffat), Paterson Joseph, John Simm, David Morrissey, as well as the names of several female actors including former companion Billie Piper, and comedien Jennifer Saunders.

The female Doctor rumor has been out there ever since 1980 when fourth Doctor Tom Baker decided it would be fun to start a rumor by wishing his successor the best of luck “whomever he OR SHE may be” during the press conference when he announced he would be leaving the role.

Personally, having grown up with the Doctor as a man, I would prefer him to stay that way. I see the character as a male character, and in many ways saw him as something of a father figure and role model when I was a boy, so a sudden sex change (which seems like it would be done merely for sensationalism) does not seem to be the right move in my opinion.

But we’ll all find out Saturday when the BBC broadcasts a special edition of Doctor Who Confidential on BBC One this Saturday January 3rd. David Tennant will continue in the role throughout 2009 for the plannned specials. It is not known if a regeneration scene will appear at the end of the 2009 Christmas special, or if it will wait until the beginning of the next Doctor Who series in 2010.

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Posted in 11th Doctor, David Tennant, Doctor Who, Doctor Who News, New Doctor Who | 1 Comment »

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