After 4 years of portraying the eccentric 11th incarnation of The Doctor, Matt Smith will be leaving Doctor Who after regenerating into the 12th Doctor in this year’s upcoming Christmas special.
Matt Smith’s tenure as The 11th Doctor has equaled that of David Tennant who portrayed the 10th Doctor also for 4 years. Don’t fret however Whovians, Matt Smith still has two specials left in him; the 50th Anniversary special which will see the return of David Tennant as the 10th Doctor alongside Matt Smith’s 11th Doctor, the other special of course being the Christmas swan-song for Smith.
Smith commented on his departure from Doctor Who through BBC’s official website:
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 realize 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. Having Steven Moffat as showrunner write such varied, funny, mind-bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. 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! It’s been an honor to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with ‘the ginger, the nose and the impossible one.’ But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt.
It is certainly sad to see Matt Smith hang up his bow-tie, but it is also very exciting to know that we will see a new Doctor this year. So for now stay tuned for more information on the upcoming departure of Matt Smith and introduction of a new Doctor as it comes to light. I tip my fez to you Matt Smith, it has been one hell of a ride.
Source: BBC
