Pajiba

I'm not sure about the working difficulties he's talking about here, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't too pleased with the direction the show was going in. He felt the show was getting too campy and silly. Now to me, campy and silly is a large part of Dr. Who, but I'm only really privy to the Nu-Who, so a longer time fan of the show might know better than I do what the tone of Dr. Who "should" be.

I wonder who in the Doctor Who management he had the biggest issue with. My money would be on Russell T. Davies, he seems like he might be a bit of an ego case, but I suppose Eccleston could be as much at fault as well.

And to be fair to Eccleston, I'm not sure he's being "condescending" about the adult viewers of Doctor Who. The show may be more geared towards adults now, but the Eccleston's season of the "Doctor Who" reboot felt a lot more oriented towards the younger demographic.

I'm a huge Ecclestone fan so I'll admit to bias upfront. But I'm also a huge Whovian going way back to my pre-pubescent days and I love what Davies has done with the series, so that should provide some balance. Overall, I think Ecclestone was a lot more circumspect and polite in the way he framed his criticism than many other actors would have been. He made it more about the process and what he disliked as opposed to being fully about the people.
I don't think actors, directors, etc. should always have to keep their mouths shut. Honesty is a good thing and as long as it's not used to shit all over someone, then it's harmless.
The sad thing for me is that it apparently prevented Eccleston from doing a second season, which would have been marvellous.

I just started watching the reboot and haven't gotten past the first episode with Tennant, but I knew this all along. I had read some of the comments. I have to say I find it all interesting, and I guess in the end it is his prerogative to walk away. And, I have to say that I am still getting used to the camp. It seems to be toned down a little in the next series, though I could be wrong.

I had heard that there was more to the story than just the one year contract thing. It didn't bother me too much though, because sometimes people have employers who don't sit well with them, while others in the same environment don't seem to have any problems at all. It doesn't make anyone inherently bad, it just means it was a bad fit. I had also read somewhere that David Tennant was a huge fan of Dr. Who growing up and had long dreamed of playing The Doctor himself. So it's unsurprising to me that he would have such a good relationship with them, even if the creators did happen to be raging assholes. When you're living the dream it's easy to overlook the bad stuff. Maybe I'm oversimplifying this by comparing it to regular work place bullshit, but in the end I don't see why it would be much different. And kudos to Eccleston for not whoring himself out for the money in the end.

I liked Eccleston when he was on, but a few episodes into Tennant, he won me over. Now when I go back and watch the Eccleston episodes, as I have when showing the show to friends who'd never seen it before, it seems like Tennant has some kind of magical ability to take the camp and make it beautiful and serious and act the shit out of it, whereas Eccleston just has no idea what to do with it.

So I dunno, his comments seem to cement that idea in my head. I think he just didn't know what to do with the camp, so he alternately tried to ignore it or overdo it, which in retrospect I now find grating. Tennant, IMO, just acted the shit out of it, and as in all aspects of life, confidence will mask a myriad of faults. I know I couldn't've pulled some of those Christmas specials (especially the Voyage of the Damned, with the Jesus liftoff scene) off with a straight face.

But I know that this stuff is all very subjective and blahblahblah, everyone's got their own perception and opinion.

Here's the "Doctor in the House" link:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/mar/20/broadcasting.arts

Like PaddyDog, I'm an Eccleston fan, but to provide as much context for the quote as we can expect:
"In an acting master class at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Christopher Eccleston was asked why he left a such a high paid job as Doctor Who"

So he's helping participate in a class and is asked (presumably by a student) why he'd leave such a well-paying and prestigious job, to which he basically responded that he didn't like the direction, and that he didn't think the money and notoriety would be worth it if he was at odds with what he was doing.

It doesn't seem that he's taking shots at Tennant, etc, but talking the standard inspirational "stick to your values as an actor/actress" talk that we see on things like "Inside the Actors' Studio". But make no mistake, that still didn't stop him from playing Destro in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra.

I'm never watching any of his episodes again.
I'm sure the loss of your viewership will cut Eccleston to the bone. To. The. Bone.

Wow. There's goes Eccleston. Off to star in his latest masterpiece, "Alone In My Principles".

Seriously, He must have known from the get-go he wasn't exactly signing up to do Shakespeare. I think one thing that I noticed about Eccleston is that unlike his successors, he didn't often look like he was having fun in his role. Tennant and Smith both look like they let into their part like it was a privilege to play rather than just a job. There were times were Christopher looked like he was going to break character and shout at the others in frustration. As such, although I did enjoy his portrayal insomuch as a single season, if he were unable to grow and lighten up by the next season, he would have been a buzzkill. So perhaps it's just as well he stepped aside and let someone else take over.

The role is and always has been one of whimsical sci-fi nonsense. It's enjoyable and it's something that cannot be taken seriously- even if it does have some serious moments.

So while I will admit the man has acting chops, this is a role he really could have taken to a new level and made all his own. He made an impression in his short time, but he seems very inflexible for what is pretty much commonplace for television series production. What I find sad is that five years later, he's still butthurt and flinging poo about it. Even if it's all true, a professional doesn't stay bitter about such trivial past events. He didn't like how things were going, he walked away, troubles over, move on with your career. Considering the fact that nobody since has really echoed his sentiments, I'm inclined to believe much of the problem was on him. And considering the positive career exposure he got, and the relative lack of exposure by comparison since then it would seem others may agree.

As you all know, I started watching Dr. Who back in the Hartnell era, and frankly, I never could buy Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor. He never was doctory. He was like a bloke you'd meet in a pub who was pissed off at his boss. Eccleston just never seemed like a good fit to me from the get go. It's a cheesy, campy, children's show. Granted, it's got some more adult themes than normal children's shows, and new Who has a better budget, but still. Eccleston never looks like he's having fun. His comic timing is terrible. Actually, the first season really seemed like Rose's show, with Eccleston was the mysterious sidekick. I'd love to know if it was that, or he wanted the show to be more serious and adult, or if he really just didn't get along with the boss.

P.S. I love the camp. That's why I watch it. My first episode of new Who was the Slitheen, and I was sitting there with my fingers crossed saying, "Please let it be cheesy!" I now don't like that episode and prefer ones like Blink and 2 parter that introduced Capt. Jack.

I don't like the Russel T. Davies' episodes. I know Dr Who is meant to be campy but there's a line to be drawn here. All his episodes, particularly the Christmas specials, were cheesy and monumentally stupid. Farting aliens? That heavenly ascent on Voyage of the Damned? A fucking killer christmas tree?! How the fuck anyone kept a straight face while acting that shit is a mystery to me.

As for Eccleston, what he said was so vague I couldn't really care less.

bleujayone thank you for that opening line. Love it! "you're...talking gibberish."

AnyWho...I have been a Whovian since being introduced to late night re-runs in college. My first Doctor was Tom Baker. I never felt Eccleston was right for the Doctor. He WAS too pissy, too angry & angsty, too full of himself, and not in a good way. He just wasn't a good fit. Yes, Doctor Who is a cheesefest, but a CLASSY cheesefest. Tennant was sublime.

"So while I will admit the man has acting chops, this is a role he really could have taken to a new level and made all his own. He made an impression in his short time, but he seems very inflexible for what is pretty much commonplace for television series production. What I find sad is that five years later, he's still butthurt and flinging poo about it. Even if it's all true, a professional doesn't stay bitter about such trivial past events. He didn't like how things were going, he walked away, troubles over, move on with your career. Considering the fact that nobody since has really echoed his sentiments, I'm inclined to believe much of the problem was on him. And considering the positive career exposure he got, and the relative lack of exposure by comparison since then it would seem others may agree."

Nice job bluejayone....Eccleston DOESN'T KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT. People keep asking him about it. He's gone on with his life and has made two comments about it in the last 6 years. He's not flinging poo....

This was stated at a Masterclass session with him at The Haymarket Theatre in London. He was on stage for 2 hours talking about acting with acting students. He was the guest speaker, so to speak at an acting class. He was asked the question and he answered it.

I've been a fan since Pertwee. I'm so disappointed in you DW fans and your lack of class and ability to distort what people say to suit your own issues. Eccleston is a professional and maybe DW doesn't need that. They need goofy, irresponsible 2 speed actors and execs who enjoy cocktail parties and hearing the sound of their own voices.

Seriously, if you want to distort the truth in what he says...I'll be happy to reply to your posts in the same way.

"But there's no way that RTD's focus on guilt, the Fool's journey and the approachability of God is for children."

I just had PTSD flashbacks of douchey, pretentious Jacob recaps on Television Without Pity.

I always thought he had a good relationship with RTD because that was one of the reasons he signed up for it

Well, he had a bad time with it as well. From what I've read, he had to work insane schedules (often while sick with the flu) just to meet the demands of delivering season 1 of Doctor Who on a scant budget and in a very short period of time. From what I understand, with the positive reception of the reboot, they gave a longer time frame for the seasons that followed to be filmed and he paved the way and was worked to death like a dog (and understandably didn't enjoy that.)

Agree with Bleujayone above, he doesn't keep talking about it- it's all people ask him about.

I still love me some Eccleston Doctor. And Tennant. And Smith. I love all the new dudes.

I thought Eccleston did a wonderful job as the Doctor, he had a certain sadness about him which is exactly how I imagine a creature his age and circumstance would feel. Tennant, on the other hand, was a mugging, overacting whirlwind. I grew to enjoy him but I still think Eccleston is the better actor.

What struck me was that 'senior people' could be anyone, and not necessarily someone who's even on set.
Perhaps it's a senior BBC person who'd decided the budget didn't need to include, say, facilities for the crew. Or that 17 hour days were a perfectly reasonable expectation. Maybe RTD even agreed with Eccelston, but the dream of bringing the Doctor back sustained him.

That said, I LIKED his performance. His version of the Doctor was a man who'd (relatively) recently had to kill his entire race in an incredibly brutal war. He was angry, even when caught up in the wonder and the adventure, and capable of some pretty awful things for the greater good, and at least Ecceston's Doctor was honest about that. Tennant depicted a doctor who usually hid that rage away like a serial killer, and Smith's Doctor is a Manic on the edge of losing his mind.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Tennant and Smith's portrayals of a Time Lord bouncing through the stars, especially Tennant's, but I'm not sure I'd like it as much if not for Eccelston's Doctor.

They need goofy, irresponsible 2 speed actors and execs who enjoy cocktail parties and hearing the sound of their own voices.

Seriously, if you want to distort the truth in what he says...I'll be happy to reply to your posts in the same way.

Posted by: sardonicus69 at July 21, 2011 4:19 PM

Ironically, you are painting people you know nothing about with the exact same brush you accuse us of using. Your outrage is a little too one-sided to be taken seriously.

“So, that’s why I left. My face didn’t fit and I’m sure they were glad to see the back of me. The important thing is that I succeeded. It was a great part. I loved playing him. I loved connecting with that audience. Because I’ve always acted for adults and then suddenly you’re acting for children, who are far more tasteful; they will not be bullshitted. It’s either good, or it’s bad. They don’t schmooze at after-show parties, with cocktails.”

Cheers sardonicus69, the last quote preserves the sincerity in CE's performance, for me at least.

Considering this is the first I have heard of the tension (and I have been a follower since Pertwee), it doesn't seem that he has been making that big a song and dance about it. Sometimes people don't get along and it's better for all concerned to part ways, it happens. I'm just glad he helped breathe life back into a childhood memory, thus enabling all that followed.

bleujayone~

I guess we're going to play ping pong on this. I just have one thing to say.

To criticize this man for speaking out for the second time in 6 years is absurd.

He has never bashed the fandom, the work or the character of The Doctor. He is a professional because when the press used to ask him about why he left he simply stated "No comment".

For years he stated "no comment". And do you know what happened? The DW fandom and the press bashed him for it. Forums were filled with, "why won't he just talk about it? He must be homophobic, he must hate Doctor Who,etc." THEN, when he finally does say something, fandom and the press bashed him again for talking about it.

Basically he can't win. And with your continued talk of how unprofessional he must be, I'm assuming you must have worked with him to know that. Correct? Because now you are coming off as simply a DW fan who hates Eccleston. You are taking this personally.

If you don't like him, that's fine. To continually taunt him with accusations for not being professional because he answered a question during a an 'actor's studio' session is a symptom of your hate and not his un-professionalism.

I would suggest you go and read J. Shaun Lyon's book "Back To The Vortex" for further information about just how professional this man is on set. He works steadily and through his own admission his Hollywood film choices have been shit, he continues to make wonderful projects for British telly. Go and watch The Shadow Line.

I think it's wonderful that he's finally opened up about the things that occurred during series one. And I respect him more for it.

The so-called 'negativity' you see in his comments are solely based on your own interpretation and not that of the industry. He's not being negative, he's simply telling you what you all wanted to know. And now that you know it....you hate him for it. You are making this personal not Mr. Eccleston.

"But make no mistake, that still didn't stop him from playing Destro in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra."

Double true, Branded.

Actually watching G.I. Joe in response to this article

A PS about Eccleston and film crews. I can well imagine that him watching the director bully a crew member would make him think about his brother, who works as a set builder/carpenter on 'Coronation Street'. He might well be thinking 'would I let that pass if he was tearing strips off my brother?'