The new Doctor Who was announced today, and I’ve got two sets of congratulations to make, and one very slight concern to register.
Firstly, congratulations to Matt Smith for landing one of the top roles in television. He’s got an obvious enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and I’m sure he’ll give it his best and be a good Doctor.
Secondly, congratulations to Steven Moffat, Piers Wenger and anyone else involved in the casting, for choosing a relatively little-known actor rather than a household name – I recognised Smith from The Ruby in the Smoke but wouldn’t have been able to put a name to his face. Like Tennant before him, it will make a star of a talented young actor.
And finally, my one little worry is that Matt Smith is maybe, possibly a bit too similar to David Tennant. I was hoping for an actor who would be in strong contrast to Tennant, but Matt Smith bears more than a passing physical resemblance, and seems to have a similar youthful chirpiness about him.
I’m hoping that my concern will come to nothing. It’s hard enough for a new actor to fill Tennant’s shoes as it is, but it’ll be even harder for the poor guy if the Eleventh Doctor is an attempt to recreate the success of Tennant’s portrayal. But I hope that Steven Moffat will write the 11th Doctor in a way that is satisfyingly different, and Matt Smith will bring his own distinctive interpretation to the role, while being recognisably the Doctor.
(Lawrence Miles has some typically entertaining observations over at the Beasthouse, though he continues his unfortunate preoccupation with slagging off Steven Moffat.)