Matt Smith leaving Doctor Who!

Matt Smith is to leave Doctor Who at Christmas.


He said: "Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show.
"I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience.
"Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years."

Smith also paid tribute to the programme's producer, Steven Moffat, whose "varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career".
He said: "It's been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he's a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.
"The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I've never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable.
"Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special."

We do not yet know who is replacing Smith, however we know that JLC will stay on through Series 8.

Steven Moffat has said: "Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he'd turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next.

"The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently.

"And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show,he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

"Whatever we threw at him - sometimes literally - his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.
"But great actors always know when it's time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt - bow ties were never cooler.
"Of course, this isn't the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now - all unknowing, just going about their business - is someone who's about to become the Doctor.
"A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again. After 50 years, that's still so exciting."

There will be further comments by JLC and a special video from Matt Smith released tomorrow.

If true, what a nice Christmas present

Just need to be a little more greedy and get Moff to leave as well.

Nice that Clara is sticking around. Will be nice to have a companion that crosses over after a regeneration. Not common now-a-days.

No Matt has been the best Doctor since Tom! And its true. BBC news are covering the story at 10.30PM (UK).

HOPEFULLY CO will make a 5" version of him now that he's leaving!

Yes and include it in the new 11 Doctors set.

Just Scott wrote:

SO HAPPY!!!

Psychic high five

I'm kind of split about this. I think Matt Smith is a brilliant Doctor, but that he was hindered by the writing. Not the one I wanted to see leave. I wish him the best of luck, and I'm sure I'll see him doing something brilliant in the future!

Cruel Angel wrote:

Just Scott wrote:

SO HAPPY!!!

Psychic high five

I just dread to think what kind of floppy, side parted hair dood 1 Direction-esque cast off we're going to get lumbered with to make the show "appealing" to the kids!!!

A sad day in PZD's house when the news hits!!

Those that are happy Matt is leaving are in a minority, on twitter hes trending and many many people are sad hes going, By the way when did you guys become fans?

Ianotimelord wrote:

By the way when did you guys become fans?

Started around 1982.

Huzzah! And take that Clara and Moffat with you!


I like Matt's Doctor but it's time for change. I want a serious Doctor for once. I look forward to the Twelfth.

Ianotimelord wrote:

Those that are happy Matt is leaving are in a minority, on twitter hes trending and many many people are sad hes going, By the way when did you guys become fans?

I hope we can keep this topic civil, and people can have opposing opinions on the subject. This isn't the Matt Smith Appreciation thread, but the thread announcing his departure. There was the same amount of comments when David Tennant left, or as some people called him, Crying Emo Boy. To each their own.

bret_owen99 wrote:

Ianotimelord wrote:

Those that are happy Matt is leaving are in a minority, on twitter hes trending and many many people are sad hes going, By the way when did you guys become fans?

I hope we can keep this topic civil, and people can have opposing opinions on the subject. This isn't the Matt Smith Appreciation thread, but the thread announcing his departure.

Well said. I wasn't going to bring it up unless it was needed... but I will definitely ensure it remains civil

It wasn't much of a shock really.

Dragon Sire wrote:

It wasn't much of a shock really.

Agreed.

I recall a while back that Moff said that the anniversary would be a good jumping on point into 'the next 50 years' with a new Doc.

Would have been nice though if they had been able to maintain the illusion that he was sticking around, and bring a surprise regen in the special.

But even then, I doubt there'd be any way they could keep a casting call for the new Doc a secret.

Ianotimelord wrote:

Those that are happy Matt is leaving are in a minority, on twitter hes trending and many many people are sad hes going, By the way when did you guys become fans?

Fond memories of watching Tom Baker with my Dad.


Back on topic - HOORAH!!

bret_owen99 wrote:

I'm kind of split about this. I think Matt Smith is a brilliant Doctor, but that he was hindered by the writing. Not the one I wanted to see leave.

This is kind of how I feel about it, too.

Same with Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy.

When the writing was good, they were all excellent Doctors. When it was bad, they got the blame being the "face" of the show.

I think time will be kind to Matt Smith's Doctor. He wasn't the reason my interest has dwindled over the past few years.

Now, please give us a Doctor who is over 40!!!!! I'm tired of them looking like kids.

So 3 years again....Almost everyone listened to Pat. I hope his future career will be rewarding. I have enjoyed his Doctor, as I have all of them. I can't wait to see what the new Doctor brings to the show. I am sad and excited. Long Live The Doctor!

Maybe they should rest the show for awhile, and get a producer who knows what the hades he is doing.

No resting!! I can't handle anymore "wilderness years"!

Ronpur wrote:

No resting!! I can't handle anymore "wilderness years"!

With the 'mid season' breaks and wait til the next season starts... it's already like the wilderness to me

Just about forget the series is still on with as much lag time there is between new material.