10 Things Christopher Eccleston Has Done Since Leaving Doctor Who

5. Accused

In 2010, Christopher Eccleston helped launch another high quality BBC TV programme in the form of Jimmy McGovern's anthology series Accused. This series features different main characters in each episode and explores the course of events that leads to them being accused of breaking the law. Eccleston got the series off to a roaring start in Willy's Story. He played Willy Houlihan, an adulterous plumber, who is about to leave his wife and family for his girlfriend. Needing money for his daughter's wedding, Houlihan promises God that he will give up his mistress if his financial woes are solved. He is then delighted to find £20,000 in the back of a taxi. Houlihan doubles the amount at the casino with an insane bet that pays off but reneges on his deal with the Lord, failing to give up his girlfriend. When Houlihan tries to return the original sum to the taxi company the next day, he discovers that the rightful owners of the money went looking for it in the meantime and murdered the taxi driver when they found it was gone. Once the police get involved, matters only become worse. They tell Houlihan that the notes are forgeries and accuse him of money laundering. In court, he is not only convicted for circulating the forged money at the casino but his wife also finds out about his infidelity, too. Talk about a rough day. Series 1 of Accused also starred Peter Capaldi in a memorable role where he barges into court dressed as a clown to express his contempt for the entire criminal justice system. Sounds just like something the Doctor would do, doesn't it?