Christopher Eccleston or David Tennant?

February 4, 2007 5:09pm CST
Of the two actors to play The Doctor in the new version of Doctor Who, which is your favourite, and why? I preferred Eccleston, as I found his character more mysterious and, well, deeper. Tennant is a capable actor and I still enjoy the show, but find his approach a bit slapstick sometimes. He's good with the zany scenes, but not too good at building real dramatic tension when the mood changes. Nick
3 people like this
13 responses
• United States
5 Feb 07
I loved Eccleston, but I got to say, Tennant is so awesome. I love how crazy and into the character he is, and how he can go from witty, clever, happy doctor, to scary angry doctor in the blink of an eye. That's an important character trait to me in the doctor.
5 Feb 07
Thanks for your comment. It seems Tennant does have quite a lot of fans. I have seen even some long term fans rate him as their number one Doctor.
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@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
6 Feb 07
Well I like David Tennant. I find he can do the humor without coming off as if he's trying to be funny. It seems natural where as with Eccleston it was very stiff and forced. I like how he does the dramatic tension, it's not too dramatic where with Eccleston it seemed to be constant tension. I can't wait for the new season to start. I want to see what happens.
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@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb 07
To be honest I don't like either of them, initially I was real glad that they had brought Dr Who back but Christopher Eccleston for me ruined it, I don't like him as an actor, I think he's brash, in your face and irritating, I just couldn't get on with him being the doctor. Then when unknown David Tennant took over, I gave it another chance, but he was even worse than Eccleston, he's smarmy, thinks too much of himself and the wrong role cast. I stick to the old doctor who episodes with the real true doctors Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee or Patrick Troughton, now they were the ideal doctors. Can you see I hate change!
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@sahm35 (890)
• United States
7 Jul 07
YEAH!!!! I think that it was Tom Baker that I liked the best! I dont think that I liked Patrick though he seemed a little too fruity for me. He wore the yellow tennis outfit right? Also for the first couple of shows it seems like he stayed in the box the whole time. But I think that I also did not like the airline stewardess either! They used to yell "DR" too much for me! So where are the old dr's now? Oh yeah do you all remember the XENA looking lady? Where are my UK mylotters?
@sahm35 (890)
• United States
7 Jul 07
Oh yeah I forgot to add. Eccleston played on Heroes here in the USA. He was the guy that helped the brother that could absorb peoples powers, learn how to use them properly. I like them both to answer the question because neither are as good as Tom Baker. But I do miss Rose.
4 Feb 07
I was, and remain, a big Christopher Eccleston fan. I like David Tennant, he's cute, he's a pretty good actor... but he's not a Doctor Who actor. Something doesn't mesh with him. I only watched a few episodes he was in, as I lost interest in the character.
4 Feb 07
Thanks for your response! It's a shame you gave up onthe show, as there were some good stories in Series 2 with David Tennant. Additionally the production had definitely stepped up a gear as the crew got more settled into the job, and probably had more money to play with after the success of series 1.
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@anonymili (3138)
11 Feb 07
I agree that Tennant is more slapstick but I find him rather endearing. I must admit that being this way he does take some of the edge of the show, i.e. he's a bit too funny sometimes even when he looks serious he looks somewhat comedic. I've got used to him now and what can we do? Eccleston chose to leave the show after just 1 series and I've not heard of a Doctor coming back after he's regenerated into someone else...
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17 Feb 07
...apart from when they do the anniversary shows. In the "classic" series they did three stories that featured more than one Doctor. Maybe they'll do a special at sometime featuring Eccleston and Tennant? Nick
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@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
18 Feb 07
I like them both, but I find that Eccleston is a more angry, less sympathic Doctor. Because of that I prefer Tennant, tho a couple of the stories this last season could've been much better. However, my fav Doctor is my first Doctor and that's Tom Baker. I meet him a few years back and he was a pleasure to talk to. I also meet Jon Pertwee and Collin Baker. Jon I found arrogant, but he's my roomie's fav. Collin is a sweetheart, not the best Doctor, but a very nice man.
19 Feb 07
Thanks for your reply. I have only met Colin Baker, and found him to be as you say. I tihnk he was unlucky in his time as the Doctor as he suffered mainly from average or poor stories and that coat was disgusting! Nick
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@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
7 Jul 07
The first Doctor was William Hartnell, that may be who you are refering too. Patrick Troughton was the second, he's considered the "Cosmic Hobo." Jon Pertwee was tall, white haired, well dressed and mostly stuck on Earth. He's considered kind of a "Sherlock Holmes" with the Brig as his Watson & The Master as his Moriarty. Tom Baker was the curly haired gent with the long scarf. Peter Davison was the "fellow in yellow" I think you are talking about. He wore a crickers outfit with a stalk of celery on his lapel. Then it was Colin Baker, the one with the wild coat. Sylvester McCoy might've also been considered in yellow - I'm not so sure, he always had an umbrella & his most popular companion was Ace - who was kind of a punkish gal with an affinity for "Nito 9." Paul McGann was the Doctor in the television movie. I rather liked him. Then you come to the modern Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant.
@sahm35 (890)
• United States
7 Jul 07
Which guy was that really old guy? You know he did not dress well? Tom Baker is the one with the curly hair (where is he) and the what was the yellow tennis guy's name? He was a little too prissy for me. Kinda like the James Bond guy, you know the one after Sean.
• United States
6 Feb 07
I love them both, would be happy to watch the show with either one (and Rose of course.) Heck, at this point, I'd settle for reruns. But I've heard David Tenant is talking about leaving the series. If he does, I may have to stop watching, I can't take the depression each time a major character leaves.
1 person likes this
6 Feb 07
Rumours have suggested he is going to leave part way through the 4th series, but since a 4th Series hasn't even been comissioned yet, I tihnk we'll just have to wait and see!
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30 May 07
I prefer Christopher Elccleston, and think he should have stayed longer.
• United States
22 Feb 07
I am completely new to Doctor Who. So, I am unable to say whether Eccleston or Tennant make a better Doctor compared to the ones from the 60s and 80s. However, I liked Eccelston's protrayal from the word, "Run," in the first episode and have become very into the series because of him. When Tennant started I was so disappointed that it took a minute for me to get used to the new style of Doctor and I definitely miss Chris's "Fantastic!" But I stuck with it and love both doctors for different reasons. I am looking forward to Tennant's second season. I also get my fill of Eccleston on Heroes so my life is pertty good.
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@duck2day (316)
21 Jun 07
I definetely prefer David Tennant. I've not really watched the old Dr who's much, so can only comment on the new ones - but i just find david tennant more fun. He seems to relish the role a lot and it seems to suit him better. I liked Eccleston too, but it didn't seem as natural for him, thought he was a bit miscast to be honest. I like things to be fun and entertaining and it's definetely more so with David tennant. He's also good at the more series stuff as well, so a very good combination! David Tennant is also much nicer to look at !!! LOL!!
• United States
29 May 07
I must confess that I lean toward David Tennant. He can do both extremes so freakishly well...with Eccleston you always felt like it was sorta fake when he was all smiley and happy--not because of his acting ability but because of the nature of the 9th Doctor. I just like ten better--and he can go super-dark or really lite and funny in a heartbeat. While I love the episodes with Eccleston, I think that Tennant's version goes deeper with the character. He's not just all angsty over the Time War--he can be truly happy too. But you also get glimpses of the dark, dangerous being underneath. The Runaway Bride is an excellent example. Anywho (no pun intended) I've rambled enough. Both are wonderful actors, and as a side note, I LOVED Ecceston during his guest slot on Heroes. I wish he'd been in more. (Although the hair was not so great).
1 Jun 07
Ecclestone was the best for me, I WISH he hadn't gone so soon, if he had stayed for one more season I would have been much happier. He brought a real edge to the doctor which really showed how the last great time war had truly affected him. I really enjoyed his chemistry with Rose and Captain Jack and think it was a real shame he left. However, I still really enjoy Tennant's take on the doctor, I just wish we got to see a little more of the ninth before moving onto the tenth.
• United States
2 Jul 07
Being as I'm only in the first season of the new Dr Who (this past week's episode was Rose's Dad dying and she changing time trying to save him) ... I am very drawn to Chris Eccleston's portrayal of the Doctor. I've seen pics of David Tennant, but he just doesn't have that "Doctor" look about him. I've met Tom Baker, Colin Baker, Peter Davidson, and a few of the companions back in the early 90's at sci-fi conventions. All are great guys. I enjoy watching Peter on Distant Shores *grins* Does anyone know WHY Chris left Dr Who after just one season? During it's original run in the UK, was the show not getting good ratings or something?