Matt Smith Officially Quits DOCTOR WHO
After months of speculation, BBC is confirming that Matt Smith, currently playing the eleventh incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, will be leaving the show soon. Hit the jump to know when!
A press conference was held earlier today for a huge announcement concerning Doctor Who, and now it's confirmed: Matt Smith will be soon leaving the show. The actor will be back for only two more episodes: the upcoming 50th Anniversary Special in November and the 2013 Christmas Special (where his regeneration will happen). The following quotes are from several sites, including BBC and The Telegraph. A senior BBC insider said last night to the press: "The hunt for the new Doctor starts now and it is wide open. The role has not been offered to anyone and the producers have not settled on a suitable candidate."
Matt Smith, who's being The Doctor since 2010, said it had been "an honour" to play the character but added: "When you gotta go, you’ve gotta go. 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. 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 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 have never seen before, [their] dedication is truly remarkable. 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. 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 honour 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."
Now, the search for the next Doctor begins, as series 8 (season) will have an all new incarnation of this classic character, also, it could be his last, as it has previously been stated on the show that Time Lords can regenerate only 12 times (and so have 13 incarnations). Clara Oswald, the current companion played by actress Jenna Louise Coleman, will stay as companion, while John Hurt will apparently be doing more appearances too. How do you feel with the news? Are you sad with Smith's departure or were you looking forward to it? Share your opinion below!