I may be dreaming, but I think I just read that Christopher Eccleston has decided NOT TO continue

with Doctor Who. The GOOD NEWS is that there will

likely be a second series. Anybody have any info?

but who is this guy that is playing the new who. and will ecco come back to do a regeneration scene?

hello! newbie here *waves*



BBC admits Dr Who actor blunder 



The BBC admits it broke an agreement with Eccleston

The BBC failed to speak to actor Christopher Eccleston before revealing he was going to quit Dr Who after the first series, it has admitted.

It was originally claimed the actor feared being typecast if he stayed on.



In a statement, the BBC quoted Eccleston as saying "he hoped viewers continued to enjoy the series".



But the BBC has admitted it did not consult him about that statement and also broke its agreement not to reveal he planned to film just one series.



  The BBC regrets not speaking to Christopher before it responded to the press questions on Wednesday 30 March





Head of drama and commissioning Jane Tranter said: "The BBC regrets not speaking to Christopher before it responded to the press questions on Wednesday 30 March.



"The BBC further regrets that it falsely attributed a statement to Christopher and apologises to him."



A BBC spokesman said a mutual agreement was made between the corporation and Eccleston in January that the fact he was not making a second series would not be made public.



But after journalists questioned the press office, the news was confirmed.



A further series of the show has now been commissioned.



The BBC confirmed it was in talks with actor David Tennant, the star of BBC Three drama Casanova, as a possible replacement for Eccleston.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4410943.stm



Who will be the next Doctor Who? 



David Tennant is among the actors tipped to play the next Doctor

Christopher Eccleston has quit the role of Doctor Who after filming one series, saying he fears being typecast, leaving the show's title role vacant.

As the BBC confirmed it would film another series of the popular show, a number of actors have been suggested to play television's 10th Doctor.



Here are some of the actors tipped by TV pundits, fans and bookmakers to take the role.





David Tennant, 33, recently starred in Casanova - a BBC drama based on the legendary lothario written by Russell T Davies, the lead writer in the latest series of Doctor Who.



The actor from Bathgate, West Lothian, also took major roles in BBC shows Blackpool and He Knew He Was Right, appeared in the Stephen Fry movie Bright Young Things and on stage in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Romeo and Juliet.



He plays Barty Crouch Jr in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, currently in production.



A long-time fan of Doctor Who, Tennant voiced a role in internet episode Scream of the Shalka in 2003 and told the Guardian newspaper that his earliest memory was of seeing Doctor Who actor Jon Pertwee regenerate into Tom Baker.







BILL NIGHY



Nighy is best known for his comedy roles in films like Love Actually

Bill Nighy, 55, was previously tipped for the Time Lord role taken by Christopher Eccleston.



His extensive television and movie credits include roles in 2003's Love Actually, Shaun of the Dead, Enduring Love and voice work in the recent film version of The Magic Roundabout



Born in Caterham, Surrey, his stage work includes National Theatre roles in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia in 1993, David Hare's Skylight and Blue/Orange.



Nighy's next high-profile role is as Slartibartfast in the film adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.







RICHARD E GRANT



Grant took the role of the Doctor in an internet adventure in 2003

Richard E Grant, 47, played the role of Doctor Who in the 2003 internet episode Scream of the Shalka.



Best known for playing alcoholic actor Withnail in 1987 film Withnail and I, Grant's big screen credits include Gosford Park, Hudson Hawk and a role alongside David Tennant in 2003's Bright Young Things.



Grant was also one of numerous actors to play the part in the spoof Doctor Who adventure, The Curse of Fatal Death, in aid of Comic Relief in 1999.



He appears in the John Malkovich film Colour Me Kubrick, currently in post-production, and is voicing a part in Tim Burton's next movie Corpse Bride.







DAVID THEWLIS



Thewlis starred in the acclaimed Singing Detective TV series

David Thewlis, 42, is known for performances as intense as those of outgoing Doctor, Christopher Eccleston.



His 20-year TV and movie career began with television series Valentine Park, taking in acclaimed roles in The Singing Detective, Prime Suspect and Mike Leigh's Naked along the way.



Thewlis, from Blackpool, also wrote and directed 1995's short film Hello, Hello, Hello and 2003's movie Cheeky, in which he starred as a widower.



He subsequently played Professor Lupin in 2004 family film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.







ALAN DAVIES



Davies previously worked with writer Russell T Davies in Bob & Rose



Alan Davies, 39, has also previously worked with lead Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, starring in 2001 television series Bob & Rose.



He moved from stand-up comedy to play Jonathan Creek in the long-running BBC TV series of the same name in 1997.



Other TV appearances include One For the Road and A Many Splintered Thing, and he is a team captain on BBC quiz show QI.



Born in Essex, Davies studied at the University of Kent at Canterbury before embarking on a comedy career.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4396295.stm

how about a none english actor. I want to see Henry Rollins as the Doctor. but there are a few of white's I like such as David Thewlis.

ooo..I love Henry Rollins, he'd be a cool Dr.

Anthony Stewart Head is another  fave of mine for the Dr.

I have just watched Coupling and  think adter seeing him also in Ultraviolet the Jack Devonport would make a good Doctor.

Yes, Jack Davenport would be good, I would like to see Richard E Grant as well.



Personally, lets have some fun and try the other half of the acting guild....



Perhaps Joanna Lumley (she did once) or maybe Dawn French????  Emma Thompson, or the chicky babe who played Hugh Grants bit of totty in Love Actually.......

why not try and make it a musical and get brittany or christina?

I am just watching Spooks and the lead in that Matthew Macfadyen would make an interesting Dr.

I'd only agree to Brittany if Robin Williams played her....

If he were still alive, Jeremy Brett would have been my favourite choice for Doctor Who.

I also think either Rowan Atkinson or Alan Rickman would be great (though I have a feeling no one else would agree with me).

To follow on with other comments posted on this site, I must agree with the choices of Bill Nighy or David Thewlis - especially Thewlis (he was fantastic in "naked" and has a great way of being a charismatic anti - hero).

Pity that all choices I have mentioned are wrong - David Tennant is to take the part. Haven't seen him in anyhting. Can he act?

I have to admit I'm a little upset with the idea of loosing Christopher Eccleston as a Dr. Damn shame that *swoons over his accent*

I reckon Alan Rickman could pull it off. Hmm Anthony Stewart Head. Sorry just wouldn't be able to get over the whole 'Giles' thing. I think he has been typecast for that (in my head anyway)

Good to know there will be more

The only two replacements in my mind are Henry Rollins or Eddie Izzard.

Eddi Izzard - a cross dressing Dr.

Anthony Hopkins - a hmmm brains, where's the chianti Dr.

Henry Rollins - an ancient head banging heavy rocker Dr

Bill Nighey - see above but without clothes Dr.

Richrd E Grant -  A sexy self loving Dr.

Hugh Grant - A sexy companion loving Dr.

Joanna Lumley - an Absolutely Fabulous Dr.

Sid James - a Carry on Dr.

Brittany Spears - an inflatable Dr.

Russel Crowe - a lets throw a phone box Dr.

Craig Charles - an I could murder a curry Dr.

Dawn French - a got milk Dr.

Jamie Oliver - a just add garlic and olive oil Dr.



Any others?

Ewan McGregor - A trainspotting Dr.

Red Forman - A grouchy Dr.

Eric Bana - A dr you wont like when you get him angry.

Snoop Dogg - with a lowrider Tardis.

Hugh Laurie - A House Dr

Richard E Grant - The Scarlett Dr.

Anthony Stuart Head - A Dr Watcher.

William Shattner -Going where no Dr has gone Before.

Robert Carlise - A Full Dr.

Dennis Quaid - The enemy Dr of mine