Matt Smith Leaving DOCTOR WHO!
Oh no! Matt Smith is officially leaving Doctor Who! I'm sad. I really loved Smith as the 11th Doctor. The hunt is now on for Doctor number twelve. The actor will be back for only two more episodes. Those include the upcoming 50th Anniversary Special in November, and the 2013 Christmas Special, which is where his regeneration will happen.
Here's what Smith had to say in a statement:
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.
Wow, I knew there was a chance he might not come back, but I was really hoping he'd stick around for at least one more season. The series showrunner Steven Moffat added,
Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he’d turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show,he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him – sometimes literally – his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor. But great actors always know when it’s time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt – bow ties were never cooler. Of course, this isn’t the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now – all unknowing, just going about their business – is someone who’s about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again. After 50 years, that’s still so exciting.
I love this show, and I'm excited to see who the 12th Doctor will be. I'm going to miss Smith's charming insanity though.