10 Reasons Doctor Who Is Better When You're An Adult

Christopher Eccleston deserves far more credit for ensuring NuWho was a success, often being forgotten by the end of David Tennant’s long run or skipped altogether. Yet without him, the show’s revival wouldn’t have been possible.

Despite Eccleston passing on doing any further seasons due to creative differences, his short run was pivotal to the series - serving as the benchmark for all subsequent Doctors. Fresh from the events of the Time War, Eccleston’s haunted veteran in season one creates the underlying darkness present in Tennant’s portrayal. Meanwhile, Matt Smith’s bow tie loving Doctor is arguably an exaggeration of the eccentric traits displayed by Eccleston as Nine, such as when he first meets Rose and exclaims: “Nice to meet you, Rose. Run for your life!”

Eccleston balanced the light and the darkness of the Doctor as seamlessly as the day changes into night, despite having the weight of the revival on his shoulders. It’s hard to imagine there being 12 seasons of NuWho, with a 13th on the horizon, if a less skilled actor had taken Rose’s hand 15 years ago. Yet did we care about the show’s behind-the-scenes intricacies as children? Probably not.