Matt Smith is the Newest Doctor Who
Youngest Actor to Play the Part of the Time Lord in Cult TV Series
When the first episode of Doctor Who aired on BBC in 1963, producers and writers could never have predicted that the science fiction TV series about a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey would prove to be so enduringly popular.
More than 40 years and 600 episodes later, the BBC has just announced that David Tennant, the tenth regeneration of Dr Who, will be replaced in Series 5 with British actor Matt Smith.
Who is Matt Smith?
Born in 1982 in Northampton, England, this 26 year old actor is sure to be a controversial choice for the role of Doctor Who. The youngest actor to ever play the role, the BBC announcement giving his name as the newest actor to take on the role has incited both praise and condemnation from existing fans.
Smith appeared as Danny Foster in the UK TV drama Party Animals in 2007. He has also appeared in episodes of Secret Diary of a Call Girl and The Street. Smith has also played a number of theatre roles, including Henry in That Face at the Royal Theatre in London in 2007 and featuring in a triple bill of plays for young people at the National Theatre (Cottesloe stage) in London in 2006.
Doctor Who – The Eleven Regenerations of the Time Lord
Perhaps one reason for the longevity of the Doctor Who series is the smooth transition between actors playing the lead role. With each new Doctor Who, some fans of the series find themselves disappointed while others viewers are attracted by a complete change in the personality and quirks of the newest Doctor.
Since the first classic series in 1963 to the newest episodes due to screen in 2009, the following actors have played the role of Doctor Who:
- William Hartnell (1963 – 1966)
- Patrick Troughton (1966 – 1969)
- John Pertwee (1970 – 1974)
- Tom Baker (1974 – 1981)
- Peter Davison (1982 – 1984)
- Colin Baker (1984 – 1986)
- Sylvester McCoy (1987 – 1996)
- Paul McGann (1996)
- Christopher Eccleston (2005)
- David Tennant (2006 – 2009)
- Matt Smith (2010 -
The Modern Version of Doctor Who
Series numbering for the latest Doctor Who programs began with the relaunch in 2005 featuring Christopher Eccleston in the lead role. Doctor Who Series 4 screened in the UK in 2008. David Tennant will continue in his role of the Doctor in 2009, appearing in a number of Doctor Who specials throughout the year and fans will have to wait until 2010 to see Matt Smith take responsibility for the TARDIS and maintaining intergalactic peace in Series 5.
Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant have redefined the Doctor for modern viewing audiences and fans and critics are sure to be watching in 2010 as Matt Smith bring his own interpretation of this favourite cult character to the small screen.
2009 is sure to be a year of speculation for Doctor Who fans as they await the screening of Series 5 to see whether Matt Smith meets expectations, either positive or negative.
Reference: Matt Smith acting profile at imDb.com accessed 4th January 2009
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