New Doctor Who lead calls it quits

[salvorhardin]

After only 1 episode has aired of the new Doctor Who, series star Chris Eccleston calls it quits for fear of being typecast. The announcement came just one day after the BBC confirmed a second run of 13 episodes. David Tennant, previously the star of the BBC's Cassanova is seen as the actor most likely to be the Doctor's next regeneration although there are other actors under consideration including Bill Nighy and Richrd E Grant, who had played the role of the Doctor in the online animated Doctor Who episode Scream of the Shalka. Chris Eccleston's Doctor marked the first return of Doctor Who to the BBC since 1989 with the permiere episode garnering 10 million viewers.

[Love Bug]

1. You mean he didn't think of this first?

Well, that's dumb. Hope they pick Nighy. He was a hoot in "Love Actually."

[Ravenseye]

2. That's Just Dumb

Anytime someone offers you a role like that it's something you have to consider BEFORE doing it. It's something that really annoys me and why I like shows that lock actors into contracts for like 5-7 years (for increasing pay, or negotiable pay etc...not asking to screw them) but basically like....

"we're doing a pilot. If they pick us up, you're with us for at least 7 years if it keeps going"

Anyway even without that......To do 13 episodes then say 'oh now I don't want to be typecast....

It's just annoying.

[salvorhardin]

3. I agree

Especially when the first episode alone gets 10 million viewers. Tom Baker may have been typecast, but then Tom Baker only really plays one roll -- Tom Baker. Typecasting doesn't seem to have affected Peter Davison's career much or even Colin Baker's career. The role of a lifetime and Eccleston blows it.

[Wat_Tyler]

4. I'm not sure.

Baker certainly was typecast - but he was the definitive Doctor Who (and was on for a good 7 seasons). Davison's career has not benefitted from Doctor Who (he was arguably more famous going in than he is now), McCoy has dropped off the face of the earth, Colin Baker isn't much of a celebrity (but then, he isn't much of an actor). Pertwee survived, because he was an in-demand character actor before he became Doctor Who, as did Troughton (ie, The Omen). I think Eccleston could've done three seasons and gotten away with it - I think he would've followed in the footsteps of Troughton and Pertwee, being a character actor.
Still, the great strength of Doctor Who is that the show will survive regardless of how long an individual Doctor stays - I'm sure that even now they're working on a McGuffin to prolong his life beyound the twelth regeneration.

[Ravenseye]

5. yes, if you're a good actor you won't get typecast

You just have to look at other feared 'typecasting' scenarios.

Take Star Trek. Many actors might worry going into it that they'd get typecast, but just look at the decent actors that managed to have careers afterwards. Patrick Stewart might even be more known now as Professor X than Captain Picard. Even Shatner did T.J. Hooker. Richard Dean Anderson had a good 8 year run on Stargate SG-1 but plenty of people still know him as MacGyver.

Anyway my point is that if you're a good enough actor you'll never be typecast no matter what you do. You may be a good actor and get typecast, but then it's up to you to pick projects that will un-typecast you, and if none come along, you need to make one yourself.

Not saying Eccleston was starving on the streets prior to this role, but if something comes along, has 10 MILLION viewers for the premiere, and gets good reviews...then you bow out...

I thought the point of being an actor...was to act. People who turn down plumb roles because of this...well it's an insult to every actor out there who's worth a damn but waiting tables.