Christopher Eccleston to reprise Doctor Who role for first time in 15 years
Actor has previously claimed he was ‘blacklisted’ after leaving show in 2005
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Christopher Eccleston will reprise his Doctor Who role in a new adventure, despite previously saying that he felt “abandoned, vilified and blacklisted” for leaving the show.
The A Word actor will return to the science fiction franchise in a new audio adventure spanning 12 episodes. Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures will be released over four CD box sets, coming out in May 2021.
Speaking about his return to the role, Eccleston said: “After 15 years, it will be exciting to revisit the Ninth Doctor’s world, bringing back to life a character I love playing.”
Eccleston was the first actor to play the Doctor when the show returned to TV screens in 2005 under Russell T Davies’s helm.
Fans were surprised to hear that 56-year-old Eccleston would be returning to the role, having previously shown no desire to play the Doctor again due to his time on the show’s first season.
Asked if he had enjoyed his time on Doctor Who during a 2005 interview, Eccleston described the experience as “mixed, but that’s a long story”.
In 2018 he explained further: “What happened around Doctor Who almost destroyed my career... I gave them a hit show and I left with dignity and then they put me on a blacklist. I was carrying my own insecurities as it was something I had never done before and then I was abandoned, vilified in the tabloid press and blacklisted.”
Eccleston was replaced on Doctor Who by David Tennant, who stayed on the show from 2005 to 2010.
All of the actors to play the Doctor in recent years, including Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker, have reprised the character for audiobooks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments