8 Actors Who Regretted Quitting Popular TV Shows

Unlike Christopher Eccleston, Matt Smith would play the Doctor for a total of three full seasons and two additional special episodes for his final bow.

Smith's career really took off after leaving the show, and is probably the Doctor to reach the second highest point in terms of international recognition for his later endeavours (following David Tennant). But even though he left after a good run of seasons and on good terms with everyone involved, he still had regrets about leaving the role behind.

Introduced in his final season, Smith's Doctor's co-star Jenna Coleman provided a quirky, fun to watch relationship between the Timelord and his companion - Clara Oswald. When asked if he had any regrets about leaving the show, Smith lamented that he did not get a full season to explore that relationship with Coleman, and while he went onto great roles almost immediately after leaving the show, he felt that he had "one more season" left in him.

Clara would stay on as the Doctor's companion for Peter Capaldi's first season; a relationship that was much less well received than her pairing with Smith.