# Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall both leaving Doctor Who - thoughts? \[Russell T Davies is returning\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, disney-hulu\ **Created:** [July 29, 2021, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620 "2021-07-29T23:48:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/102 "2021-10-28T17:53:23Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I first saw her as the batshit crazy HR director on Britcom, [Green Wing](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423661/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_25). Michelle Gomez came to FanExpo in Toronto a few years back and when I got to her autograph table, I happily told her how Netflix Canada had just recently added the first series of _Green Wing_ and that it was one of the funniest things I’d ever seen. She was surprised to hear it brought up; I’m sure it was the only non-Doctor Who comment she got all weekend. Finally saw the second series this year (Netflix never got the second one, and I only got Prime around Christmastime) and it was just as crazy. If anyone hasn’t seen the show it’s basically like a sketch comedy version of ER, but every doctor in the hospital is a complete sociopath. It’s amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/103 "2021-10-28T17:58:21Z")
The biggest problem with the Weeping Angels in that first episode is that being “killed” by them tends to work out pretty well for their victims. They all end up happily married and financially well off. I mean, not being able to see your friends and family again sucks, but also, “What if I could time travel back forty years and invest in Apple before it got big,” is a pretty common day dream. I can understand why they added, “Also, they remove your nervous system,” to their power set in subsequent appearances. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/104 "2022-05-08T15:11:57Z")
Today it was announced that [Ncuti Gatwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ncuti_Gatwa) [will be the next Doctor](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61371123). If you saw _[Sex Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_Education_(TV_series))_ on Netflix, you’ll recognize him as Eric Effong. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/105 "2022-05-08T16:58:58Z")
So…still not a ginger? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/106 "2022-05-08T18:15:11Z")
Might be ginger, never know. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2022, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/107 "2022-05-08T18:25:35Z")
This is a good choice, he’s a good actor, but also can do silly. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/108 "2022-05-08T19:14:27Z")
BTW, he is 29 years old. Is he the youngest actor to play the Doctor? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/109 "2022-05-08T19:19:17Z")
Matt Smith was 27 it looks like. Born in 1982; Smith was revealed as the [Eleventh Doctor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleventh_Doctor) in the British science-fiction television series _[Doctor Who](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who)_ in January 2009 ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/110 "2022-05-08T23:24:27Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > BTW, he is 29 years old. Is he the youngest actor to play the Doctor? [About the same age as 5th Doctor Peter Davison.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Davison#Doctor_Who_(1981%E2%80%931984_and_later_revivals)) > [@What\_Exit](#): > > Matt Smith was 27 it looks like. Correct. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/111 "2022-05-09T00:09:24Z")
He is excellent on _Sex Education_, a really fabulous actor who has a ton a range. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/112 "2022-05-09T00:18:17Z")
This is the first time since Peter Davison that I was familiar with the actor’s work when he was named. Gatwa was terrific in _Sex Education,_ so this seems like a solid choice. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/113 "2022-05-09T09:44:57Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > This is the first time since Peter Davison that I was familiar with the actor’s work when he was named. Blimey. I’ve seen every one of them from Five onwards before they were cast, except for Six, Colin Baker. Even the most obscure, Eleven, Matt Smith, I’d seen in the [Sally Lockhart series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ruby_in_the_Smoke#TV_adaptation). But Ncuti Gatwa is the first one I didn’t know. He doesn’t have a very extensive IMDb listing. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/114 "2022-05-09T14:43:58Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Today it was announced that [Ncuti Gatwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ncuti_Gatwa) [will be the next Doctor](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61371123). If you saw _[Sex Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_Education_(TV_series))_ on Netflix, you’ll recognize him as Eric Effong. Brace for racist “pure fans” rage. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/115 "2022-10-24T18:21:07Z")
Well, the first new episode is out. Probably better to think of it as a movie–it is an hour and a half long, and the next new episode isn’t until November of 2023. As for the episode, it was, IMHO, pretty much more of the same that you see in any other Doctor Who episode? Pretty dull. Except for the end, which I may have read spoilers for months ago, but forgot about, so it was a surprise to me. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/116 "2022-10-24T18:35:04Z")
David Tennant is certainly loyal to Russel T Davies. Seeing David as The Doctor for three episodes should get fans viewing again. Especially with Donna by his side. I wish it would be for a full season but, David has a lot of projects. I am getting excited. Russell, David and Donna were the best Doctor Who ever produced. I hope they can replicate it. It won’t be easy in only three episodes. [Can Russell T Davies fix what Chris Chibnall broke in Doctor Who?](https://news.yahoo.com/russell-t-davies-fix-chris-163049347.html) > [@](#): > > That’s not to say it’s going to be an easy job. After all, the _Doctor Who_ that Davies will inherit comes with a pretty bruised reputation. In 2017, there was excitement that Whittaker would pick up the sonic screwdriver from Peter Capaldi, with Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall joining her as showrunner. But under Chibnall’s reign, _Doctor Who_ swerved between being utterly forgettable and memorable for all the wrong reasons. Individual episodes were dragged down with exposition and clichés, while the broader story arcs were impossible to keep track of. In its worst moments, nearly 60 years of _Doctor Who_ canon was trampled all over and if you hadn’t already given up on it, the last series titled Flux – a self-contained run of episodes both baffling and inconsequential – was sure to do it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/117 "2022-10-24T18:53:25Z")
I’m a bit shocked in Davids appearance. He’s aged a lot in 10 years. [![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NfcrQffz7pTh50GbNyVtBw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNw--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/Vp67iwt7MsqQwYBor3VPEA--~B/aD04MDA7dz0xMjAwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_635/f9ab689372de2eb50bcdf10f490bb90f) ](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NfcrQffz7pTh50GbNyVtBw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNw--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/Vp67iwt7MsqQwYBor3VPEA--~B/aD04MDA7dz0xMjAwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_635/f9ab689372de2eb50bcdf10f490bb90f) How I remember him. [![](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/201427/rs_1024x759-140307121206-1024.David-Tennant-Doctor-Who.ms.030714.jpg) ](https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/201427/rs_1024x759-140307121206-1024.David-Tennant-Doctor-Who.ms.030714.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/118 "2022-10-24T19:17:47Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > As for the episode, it was, IMHO, pretty much more of the same that you see in any other Doctor Who episode? Pretty dull. Except for the end, which I may have read spoilers for months ago, but forgot about, so it was a surprise to me. I guess you’re not one of the ClassicWho fans who were excited by the return of Ace. And her bat. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/119 "2022-10-24T19:21:09Z")
That’s so weird. We thought he looked amazing. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/120 "2022-10-24T19:26:28Z")
David still looks like the Doctor. He’s lost weight and it shows in his face. His cheekbones are more prominent and sharp. It’s funny that he looks more like a Classic Doctor now. People used to expect him to be older. David and Matt changed that expectation. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/121 "2022-10-24T19:30:22Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > I guess you’re not one of the ClassicWho fans who were excited by the return of Ace. And her bat. And all the others, up to and including William Russell, who was already 39 when Doctor Who started in 1963. Some kind of record, probably. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620.md?page=7)