Matt Smith is turning in his sonic screwdriver and giving control of the Tardis to a new actor. Smith is leaving Doctor Who after four years – the BBC confirms. The Eleventh Doctor will appear in November’s 50th Anniversary Special and regenerate in the Christmas special.
Matt Smith says:
“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 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.
Having Steven Moffat as show runner 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 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. Matt.”
The 50th Anniversary Special is November 23rd.
The Eleventh Doctor has fought Daleks, Cybermen, Weeping Angels and face the return of the Silurians and Ice Warriors under Moffat’s watch but my favorite Matt Smith moments are from The Doctor’s Wife by Neil Gaiman.
“Geronimo!”
By Editor