Ok guys, before we all lose ourselves in a panic, let’s remember that this story comes to us courtesy of The Sun, England’s answer to the National Enquirer, so let’s take it as the possible tabloid fodder that it is.
According to the report, Matt Smith is planning on hanging up the tweed and bow tie after the second season to pursue a career in Hollywood. Currently filming the Christmas special alongside his co-star Karen Gillan, and opera star Katherine Jenkins (What? No Gaga?), Matt Smith is scheduled to begin filming his second series immediately following completion of the special. Past that though, neither Matt nor the BBC is saying.
According to a source, listed as “a pal,” Matt is looking forward to leaving the show after finishing the next series. The source was quoted as saying, “He is eager to try new things and thinks Hollywood beckons.”
Is this the sudden end of the 11th Doctor? Personally, I don’t think so. Matt seems to have such a joy playing this role, even going so far as to perform the theme song live with Orbital in Glastonbury earlier this year. Only time will tell if he plans to leave, but it does seem to be way too early for him to try to turn the Doctor into a film career. While he hasn’t been my favorite Doctor so far, I would really hate to see him leave this early in his career as the man in the big blue box. This season has definitely caused me to choke up more times than any previous, and Matt has been instrumental in that process. He has the potential to be one of the best men to fill the role in the last 40 years, and even though Eccleston danced better and Tennant ranted a bit better, I want to see him flesh out the role, and put his name high up on the list.
To those of us in the States, don’t forget to check out the season finale, “The Big Bang” this Saturday on BBC America, and to our friends across the pond, “Shh, spoilers.”
Editors note: Jay is indeed correct that The Sun is notorious for spreading false rumours about Doctor Who. I mean, they promised us The Rani for season three, and the Ice Warriors for season four. Did we get The Rani or my favourite (note the “u’s”, you know who’s typing this) green beasties from Mars? Exactly. Also, since time of writing, this rumour has been quashed by Karen Gillan commenting on the subject. Smith is staying, people!
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My dad’ll be happy to hear that, he is of the opinion that Smith is one of the best since, dare I say it, Tom Baker’s fourth Doctor. Time will tell.