Smith
Tennant
LONDON -- A rising British thesp is the surprise choice to be the 11th and youngest ever Doctor Who.
Matt Smith, 26, will succeed David Tennant as the TV Time Lord when the next full series of the skein bows on U.K. screens in 2010.
The casting of Smith, who made his TV debut in 2006 in an adaptation of Philip Pullman's "The Ruby in the Smoke", which ironically also featured former "Doctor Who" companion Billie Piper, has ended months of speculation.
There was even discussion in the British media that the part could go to a woman with Catherine Zeta Jones named as a potential Time Lord.
Smith's new role was revealed during "Doctor Who Confidential – The Eleventh Doctor," broadcast on BBC1 on Saturday at 5.30 p.m. at the same time as being simultaneously aired on the pubcaster's 17 giant screens set up in city centers all over the U.K.
BBC drama topper Piers Wenger said that he "knew Smith was the one" from the moment he saw him audition.
He explained: "It was abundantly clear that he had that 'Doctor-ness' about him.
"You are either the Doctor or you are not. It's just the beginning of the journey for Matt.
"With Steven Moffat's scripts and the expertise of the production team in Cardiff behind him, there is no one more perfect to be taking the Tardis to exciting new futures when the series returns in 2010."
However, it remains to be seen if Smith, whose biggest small screen part to date was a role in the BBC political drama "Party Animals," can prove as successful as the telegenic Tennant who in Blighty has boosted the show's popularity with the under-25s.
Smith said: "David Tennant has made the role his own, brilliantly, with grace, talent and persistent dedication. I hope to learn from the standards set by him.
"The challenge for me is to do justice to the show's illustrious past, my predecessors, and most importantly, to those who watch it. I really cannot wait."
Smith, whose stage work has included parts for Blighty's Royal Court and National Theatre, was cast over Christmas and will begin filming in the summer.
Meanwhile Tenant will film four "Doctor Who" specials this year before taking his final bow as the Time Lord.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com