How Every Doctor Who Got Cast

Ah, Christopher Eccleston and Russell T Davies, where did it all go wrong?

In 2003, it was announced that RTD would be reviving Doctor Who for a brand-new series. Also in 2003, RTD and Christopher Eccleston collaborated on the ITV drama The Second Coming, which depicted the return of the son of God.

When he discovered RTD was reviving Doctor Who, Eccleston expressed his interest in the title role. Speaking about this during promotion for his first and only series, Eccleston stated that he was excited to do something for a younger audience.

Eccleston was also a suggestion made by executive producer Mal Young. However, before he received Eccleston's interest, RTD never believed that the actor – best known for gritty and challenging work – would ever do Doctor Who.

Which is presumably why more "obvious" names like Hugh Grant and Bill Nighy were pursued by the team prior to Eccleston's casting being announced.

It was a game-changing bit of casting that signalled Doctor Who wasn't just going to be phoning it in, and helped ensure the show's overnight success back in 2005.