Summary
When it comes to theDoctor Whofranchise, there will always be a debate about which Doctor is the best to ever do it. With each iteration of the Doctor, a new actor has come in to bring something different to the role. While many versions are loved, there are some who are met with a lukewarm reaction. Luckily, the actor who helped revive theDoctor Whoseries as a whole, Christopher Eccleston is usually considered to be one who is both underrated and excellent.
While there are certainly plenty of people who would love to see Eccleston return properly to the series, that probably won’t ever end up happening. The role was both a blessing and a curse for Eccleston and while he has continued to do some work as the Doctor here and there over the years, fans have to accept that he won’t be a major part of anyfantastic timey-wimey specials. Regardless, fans will always have his incredible performance that might even cause one to say, Mr. Eccleston, you were fantastic.
Eccleston’s Role On & Departure From Doctor Who
For those that don’t know,Christopher Eccleston was the Ninth Doctoron the historical seriesDoctor Who. With the series starting all the way back in 1963 and ending for the first time in the late eighties, it seemed likeDoctor Whowas a thing of the past for quite a while. For years, efforts to revive the beloved series were in the works, and eventually, all that work came to fruition with a reboot continuation of the series in 2005. Eccleston would ultimately become the actor picked to helm the series as the first modern iteration of the Doctor, heralding a new beginning for the famous series.
Both Eccleston’s fresh take on the done-to-death Doctor, his chemistry withBillie Piper’s Rose Tyler, and the fun direction of the modern stories his Doctor would go on led the series to serious success. Whether modernDoctor Whofans know it or not, Eccleston deserves just as much credit as absolutely anyone else for the modern rise in popularity ofDoctor Who. Without his contribution to the character and show, there’s no telling where the series would be today. Sadly, Eccleston’s time on the show would be short and it wouldn’t end well.
Ina quote from the Guardianin which Eccleston comments on his departure from theDoctor Whoseries, he had this to say:
“What happened around Doctor Who almost destroyed my career…I gave them a hit show and I left with dignity and then they put me on a blacklist. I was carrying my own insecurities as it was something I had never done before and then I was abandoned, vilified in the tabloid press and blacklisted. I was told by my agent at the time: ‘The BBC regime is against you. You’re going to have to get out of the country and wait for regime change.’ So I went away to America and I kept on working because that’s what my parents instilled in me. My dad always said to me: ‘I don’t care what you do – sweeping the floor or whatever you’re doing – just do the best job you may.’ I know it’s cliched and northern and all that bollocks, but it applies.”
A tense and hectic shooting process coupled with rising tensions between Eccleston and creatives created rough working conditions. Eventually, the relationship between Eccleston and producer Russell T. Davies had become so disintegrated that it became difficult to bear. Upon Eccleston’s vacating of the role, things had gotten so bad that he even alleged that he had been placed on a blacklistby the BBC.
Eccleston Isn’t A Fan Of Multi-Doctor Stories
While Eccleston isn’t too shy to praiseDoctor Whowhen the series is putting out excellent content, he also isn’t afraid to speak up when he notices aspects that he doesn’t like. One such aspect is the many multi-Doctor stories that have become relatively common and excitedly awaited for by fans. There can be something magical about sending two or more iterations of the Doctor into a tense situation together to see how the different versions would interact, but Eccleston has been so critical thathe’s called multi-Doctor stories cash-ins.
Witha multi-Doctor specialbeing the most likely avenue for a return to theDoctor Whouniverse in the flesh, it seems like Eccleston won’t be set tojump back into the Tardisanytime soon. It’s always possible that Eccleston changes his mind or is presented with a story so good that he can’t refuse, but with such pointed words, all one can do is assume he won’t be returning to the series properly. While that may be a letdown for manyDoctor Whofans, that doesn’t mean they can’t find ways to continue to experience Christopher Eccleston’s work as the Ninth Doctor.
Doctor Who Audio Plays For The Ninth Doctor
Series 1 (2021-2022)
Volume 1: Ravagers Volume 2: Respond To All Calls Volume 3: Lost Warriors Volume 4: Old Friends
Series 2 (2022-2023)
Volume 1: Back To Earth Volume 2: Into The Stars Volume 3: Hidden Depths Volume 4: Shades Of Fear
Series 3 (2023-2024)
Volume 1: Pioneers Volume 2: Travel In Hope Volume 3: ??? Volume 4: ???
Those seeking more of the Ninth Doctor need only check out the Big FinishDoctor Whoaudio dramas in orderto get around that pesky regeneration. Since 2021, Eccleston has actually been back in a big way, playing the Ninth Doctor in a series of lively audio drama presentations that rival the excellence of the main series. The canonicity of the audio dramas is a bit tricky, but for those who can ignore something like that and enjoy a good story, the Big Finish productions are going to be worth checking out. With three separate series to listen to, anyone can experience a variety of thrillingDoctor Whoadventures that have never been seen before. Each and every series has had four volumes included, with the third series ongoing with the last two volumes to be released in 2024.
Doctor Who
Originally premiered in 1963, Doctor Who is a sci-fi series that follows a powerful being known as a Time Lord, referred to as the Doctor. Using an interdimensional time-traveling ship known as the TARDIS, the Doctor travels time and space with various companions as they solve multiple problems and help avert catastrophe as much as they almost cause it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they experience regenerations, allowing them to be recast every few seasons as a unique immortal being with new personality traits.
