Christopher Eccleston finally speaks about why he left Doctor Who

[mappster]

Though he's still very nonspecific.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10312426.stm

Christopher Eccleston talks about Doctor Who exit

Eccleston starred opposite Billie Piper in the Doctor Who revamp Actor Christopher Eccleston quit Doctor Who after one series because he "didn't enjoy the environment and the culture" of the show.

Eccleston, who is about to star in BBC Four biopic Lennon Naked, took on the role of the Time Lord when Russell T Davies revamped Doctor Who in 2005.

He told the Radio Times he was proud of the show but "wasn't comfortable" working on it.

"I think it's more important to be your own man than be successful, so I left."

Eccleston, the ninth Doctor announced he was leaving after just one series to be replaced by David Tennant.

"I was open-minded but I decided after my experience on the first series that I didn't want to do any more," he said.
"I didn't enjoy the environment and the culture that we, the cast and crew, had to work in.

"I thought if I stay in this job, I'm going to have to blind myself to certain things that I thought were wrong."

But the 46-year-old said the fact that he played the Doctor - and not that he had quit - was "the most important thing".
"I really feel that because it kind of broke the mould and it helped to reinvent it.

"I'm very proud of it."

In an initial statement announcing his exit in March 2005, the BBC said the actor was afraid of being typecast and had found the series gruelling.

The corporation later accepted the statement was incorrect and that it had not spoken to Eccleston before releasing it.

"They handled it very badly but they issued an apology and I dropped it," he added.

He's still very vague, isn't he?

 

[Cutter John]

"Wasn't comfortable." Wow, I have no idea what to make of that.

 

[DAK]

"Environment and culture"? What the heck is that supposed to mean?

 

[ParticleMan]

Wonder if his discomfort with the environment at the time would preclude him from appearing again as the Doctor in the future under the new management?

 

[The Wormhole]

I do notice they said he was proud of the show and to have played the Doctor. Maybe I'm being unrealistically hopeful, but it sounds like he could be convinced to return for a multi-Doctor special. Like the 50th anniversary special in 2013 perhaps?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I was sure this was going to be a joke thread...

 

[Bones2]

He's still very vague, isn't he?

No. He's being as diplomatic as he can about saying he hated the show. Which anyone would, filming Aliens of London.

 

[Skywalker]

I do notice they said he was proud of the show and to have played the Doctor. Maybe I'm being unrealistically hopeful, but it sound like he could be convinced to return for a multi-Doctor special. Like the 50th anniversary special in 2013 perhaps?

I'm probably being unrealistically hopeful, too, but I'd love to see him come back for a 50th anniversary special in 2013. I'm thinking "The Four Doctors," starring Eleven, Ten, Nine, and...Eight!

It probably won't happen, but it'd be great if Eccleston would agree to come back for something like that. And it'd also be cool to see McGann finally get another on-screen appearance as the Doctor.

 

[davejames]

It sounds to me like it had more to do with BBC politics, or with how he was being paid. In the few interviews I've seen, he always seemed pretty proud of the show and the writing.

Although it's always possible that, like a lot of actors, he wanted to have more input into the writing and direction of his character than they could give him...

 

[davejames]

I do notice they said he was proud of the show and to have played the Doctor. Maybe I'm being unrealistically hopeful, but it sound like he could be convinced to return for a multi-Doctor special. Like the 50th anniversary special in 2013 perhaps?

Lol, even if he left the show on GOOD terms, I doubt he would be the type to return for an anniversary special.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

"Wasn't comfortable." Wow, I have no idea what to make of that.

There were three things.

One, he didn't realize the grind that nine months of filming would be.

Two, he had problems with director Keith Boak.

Three, the BBC tried to rush his decision on the second season as RTD and Julie Gardner approached David Tennant before Eccleston had made a firm decision on whether to stay or go; when he found out, he decided that he wasn't wanted.

 

[Candlelight]

He hates shows that have either cult following or sci fi related themes.

That's why he left to star in Heroes, then GI Joe.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Interesting and yeah I got the impression from reading his statements that he was attempting to be diplomatic about what happened. I doubt if he feels this way and has been silent so long regarding his departure that Chris would want to return for any appearances. The thing that ponders me the most is his line about the working environment and culture? On all the interviews and behind the scenes stuff on the series one DVD he did sound genuinely happy to be the Doctor but of course that could have just been him being the company man.

 

[scnj]

He's still very vague, isn't he?

No. He's being as diplomatic as he can about saying he hated the show. Which anyone would, filming Aliens of London.

Funnily enough, I was thinking something similar, but with Boom Town.

 

[David cgc]

What's wrong with Boom Town?

 

[scnj]

1. It's pure filler
2. It brought back the Slitheen
3. That ridiculous running/teleportation scene
4. Plot that was too simplistic for adults, but too slow for children
5. Painfully obvious Bad Wolf allusions
6. Absolutely nothing happening
7. Obviously rushed out to fill the 13 episode order

 

[Stevil2001]

"Wasn't comfortable." Wow, I have no idea what to make of that.

There were three things.

One, he didn't realize the grind that nine months of filming would be.

Two, he had problems with director Keith Boak.

Yeah, and it sounds like from what people have said that that first production block ("Rose" and the Slitheen two-parter) was a total nightmare, since the production team had no idea what they were doing!


I actually suspect Eccleston would have enjoyed "Boom Town"-- nice and low-key, with a focus on acting and dialogue, not too complex to shoot, some good comedy moments, and it was directed by Joe Ahearne, who by all accounts was apparently his favorite director to work with.

 

[Bones2]

What's wrong with Boom Town?

Plenty.

 

[Jax]

What's wrong with Boom Town?

Plenty.

Yeh Boom Town shit and season 1 is the weakest of the series since its return but nowhere near as bad as Bones would you have you believe.

 

[starsuperion]

Though he's still very nonspecific.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10312426.stm

Christopher Eccleston talks about Doctor Who exit

Eccleston starred opposite Billie Piper in the Doctor Who revamp Actor Christopher Eccleston quit Doctor Who after one series because he "didn't enjoy the environment and the culture" of the show.

Eccleston, who is about to star in BBC Four biopic Lennon Naked, took on the role of the Time Lord when Russell T Davies revamped Doctor Who in 2005.

He told the Radio Times he was proud of the show but "wasn't comfortable" working on it.

"I think it's more important to be your own man than be successful, so I left."

Eccleston, the ninth Doctor announced he was leaving after just one series to be replaced by David Tennant.

"I was open-minded but I decided after my experience on the first series that I didn't want to do any more," he said.
"I didn't enjoy the environment and the culture that we, the cast and crew, had to work in.

"I thought if I stay in this job, I'm going to have to blind myself to certain things that I thought were wrong."

But the 46-year-old said the fact that he played the Doctor - and not that he had quit - was "the most important thing".
"I really feel that because it kind of broke the mould and it helped to reinvent it.

"I'm very proud of it."

In an initial statement announcing his exit in March 2005, the BBC said the actor was afraid of being typecast and had found the series gruelling.

The corporation later accepted the statement was incorrect and that it had not spoken to Eccleston before releasing it.

"They handled it very badly but they issued an apology and I dropped it," he added.

He's still very vague, isn't he?

"Wasn't comfortable." Wow, I have no idea what to make of that.

"Environment and culture"? What the heck is that supposed to mean?

"Wasn't comfortable." Wow, I have no idea what to make of that.

There were three things.

One, he didn't realize the grind that nine months of filming would be.

Two, he had problems with director Keith Boak.

Yeah, and it sounds like from what people have said that that first production block ("Rose" and the Slitheen two-parter) was a total nightmare, since the production team had no idea what they were doing!


I actually suspect Eccleston would have enjoyed "Boom Town"-- nice and low-key, with a focus on acting and dialogue, not too complex to shoot, some good comedy moments, and it was directed by Joe Ahearne, who by all accounts was apparently his favorite director to work with.

Honestly, I think by his statements that he disagreed with the all encompassing and totally over the top P.C. Political statements, and multicultural issues raised by the director, writers and BBC policy in general.

"being his own man." and "blind myself to things I think are wrong."

these statements seem to focus on a subject he disagrees with to his core.. no one wants to say it.. I know..

but what if what I am implying here is how he feels?? would that make him wrong, or just not on the same page as some who push this P.O.V. on others?

I can't say it is Racism, Anti-liberalism, or Anti-global warming worship.. just maybe he doesn't share a certain viewpoint with those in charge of the show and pushing elements of it at that time..

it just seems deeper then some issues in filming and crew concerns.. or shooting schedules..I mean doesn't a certain amount of issues come with filming a TV series anyways..if other actors had the same concerns I would think they would have left their respective TV series long ago..
I am not taking one side or the other in this hypothesis.. all I am saying is could it be deeper then a filming issue? Or am I giving actors far too much depth?