David Tennant says a final farewell in Doctor Who: The End of Time Part Two.
Australian viewers finally see the emotional exit of David Tennant from Doctor Who.
On Sunday night David Tennant exits Doctor Who in part two of The End of Time. It brings to a close his glorious, rollicking run as the 10th Doctor.
Tennant put an end to speculation when he announced his departure in 2008 at Britain's National TV Awards.
"Now don't make me cry," he said at the time. "I love this part, and I love this show so much that if I don't take a deep breath and move on now I never will, and you'll be wheeling me out of the Tardis in my bath chair."
Tennant came to the role following actor Christopher Eccleston, who revived the series under new producer Russell T. Davies (Queer as Folk, Torchwood). Eccleston's performance beside Billie Piper was critically acclaimed, so it was a shock to many when he quit the series for fear of being typecast.
When David Tennant was cast he came from a background largely dominated by his theatrical experience. But he soon slipped into his Who sandshoes with ease, bringing a degree of unresolved sexual tension to the chemistry between the Doctor and Rose (Billie Piper).
Across the five years as the Doctor, he excelled in the role, combining action, humour, emotional performances and authority. Even sceptical fans were forced to acknowledge his success in the role. He helped the re-imagined series align with a younger audience.
Tennant's departure will be accompanied by the exit of Davies as producer and BBC producer Julie Gardner, while writer Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Jekyll) assumes the reign. Many fans are thrilled the "Whoniverse" will remain in good hands.
In 2010 we await with bated breath the arrival of Matt Smith (Party Animals) and Karen Gillian as his companion Amy Pond. Smith's casting followed an exhaustive and secretive casting search, but producers tell of his bringing something magical to his audition. In Smith, the Doctor will be played by the youngest actor yet.
Meanwhile, David Tennant has been pursuing US work. A pilot series Rex is Not Your Lawyer has not been picked up.
Australian viewers will also get a "final glimpse" of Tennant as the Doctor when pay TV airs the latest series of the children's spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures. An episode already filmed will ironically air after we have seen his true farewell in The End of Time Part Two.
The send-off is a hugely entertaining and emotional finale, with many key characters returning to say goodbye.
Doctor Who airs 7:30pm Sunday on ABC1.
Loved David Tennant as the doctor, going to be sad.
I thought Chris Eccleston's doctor was always meant to die at the end of the '05 series - Atleast that is what RTD said in an interview or was I wrong?