David Tennant explains why Doctor Who meant so much to him as a child: ‘I could be the hero’

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As a child who also wore glasses with tape at the legs and didn’t excel in sports, David Tennant‘s portrayal of the Doctor felt like a beacon of hope for me. His character was not only heroic but also clever, funny, quick-witted, and most importantly, not a joke. It was comforting to see someone on screen who didn’t fit the typical mold of a hero, yet still managed to save the day.

In my own words, I’d say that during my childhood, Doctor Who held a profound significance for me, and I recently shared the heartfelt tale behind this connection.

The actor responsible for portraying the Tenth and Fourteenth versions of “The Doctor” appeared on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast to publicize the debut of his Disney Plus series, titled Rivals.

During an extensive interview, he naturally steered the conversation towards his time on the iconic BBC science fiction series. He enthusiastically shared that the character was one of the few TV heroes he could genuinely envision emulating as a youngster.

Tennant described the character as extraordinarily intelligent,” said he. “He’s valiant, witty, amusing, he delivers the most memorable lines, he reacts faster than others – and he’s no caricature.

As a child, that particular thing held immense value for me since I wore taped-up glasses on my frames, wasn’t athletically gifted, nor particularly muscular. However, I was quick and capable of running at quite a pace – much like the doctor who has a tendency to run fast.

Tennant went on saying, “There were numerous aspects… I could grasp hold of that character and imagine myself as the main character in this tale, despite having nothing about me that suggests a heroic nature.

However, it’s worth striving for intelligence – such a wonderful trait! Not physical strength or the ability to overpower others, as those qualities have never been my forte.

Tennant remarked: “He’s an exceptionally appealing character, stemming from a background of wisdom, kindness, peacefulness, and acceptance – qualities that truly resonate.

The full conversation between Cotton and Tennant can be found below.

Currently, the actor is featured in the Disney Plus series titled “Rivals,” a screen adaptation of the Jilly Cooper novel that offers a glimpse into the turbulent 1980s British television scene.

The star-studded Rivals cast also features Aidan Turner (Poldark), Danny Dyer (EastEnders), Katherine Parkinson (Here We Go), Emily Atack (The Inbetweeners), Nafessa Williams (Black Lightning) and Alex Hassell (The Boys).

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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2024-10-08 17:33