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Christopher Eccleston Question

Why did Christopher Eccleston really leave Doctor Who, and under what circumstances would he have stayed?

Hello, I'm a fan of Christopher Eccleston's from the US. One of our broadcast stations, PBS, carried the first season of "Doctor Who", and stopped after that because I think a lot of people (not only me) were disappointed that Eccleston wouldn't be doing at least another season.

I was watching our show "Heroes" and there was a great 'invisible man' and I heard and realized that was the same guy from "Doctor Who".

But shouldn't he be doing James Bond or things like that? The guy has tremendous screen presence, character, and charisma. He adds to other actors on the screen, doesn't detract from them or steal the show, but just delivers an outstanding cinema.

I'm perplexed why he'd leave "Doctor Who", interested in the social dynamics that would lead to that departure, and don't care about any non-disclosures the BBC may have locked him in to. Aren't those disclosures designed to protect the image of the BBC anyway?
 SoldierZ340 posted over a year ago
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Christopher Eccleston Answers

Doctor9fan said:
Chris has now given his official answer in a British TV magazine (Radio Times), it seems it has something to do with the working environment.
The full interview can be read here: link he speaks about DW on the second page.
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posted over a year ago 
Zutaraisbest said:
I found an article online that explains why he didn't stay as the Doctor. Here it is,

"Five years ago, actor Christopher Eccleston created waves in the “Doctor Who” community when he decided to leave the revived series after just one season in the role.

In that time, fans have speculated as to why Eccleston left the iconic Time Lord role, but everyone associated with the show has been tight-lipped about the decision for Eccleston’s departure.

But now Eccleston is looking to set the record straight on why he left.

The actor says he was proud of the work he did on the show, but he “wasn’t comfortable working on it.”

“I think it’s more important to be your own man than be successful, so I left,” he tells BBC News.

“I was open-minded but I decided after my experience on the first series that I didn’t want to do any more,” he said.

“I didn’t enjoy the environment and the culture that we, the cast and crew, had to work in,” he continues. “I thought if I stay in this job, I’m going to have to blind myself to certain things that I thought were wrong.”

But the 46-year-old said the fact that he played the Doctor – and not that he had quit – was “the most important thing”.

“I really feel that because it kind of broke the mold and it helped to reinvent it. I’m very proud of it,” he adds."

It's on this website if you want to see it for yourself. link
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posted over a year ago 
smit said:
These are just rumours i heard. 1. That he and Billie Piper didn't get along and because of that they could no longer work together. 2. That his dad was ill or he past away and that was the reason he left. i personally think it was because his contract ran out and bbc decided to bring in someone who was popular at the time to take over the role and that Christopher Eccleston only wanted to do one season of Doctor Who.
I know i haven't really answered your question as such but...it's something to think about. most likely is one of those options.
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posted over a year ago 
VintageSmile said:
Him and Billie are actually good friends, they were seen at a cafe together in London not so long ago. Personally I believe his contract ran out. I refused to watch the second season without him as he was such a great doctor. But then I did, and David was fantastic too :D
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posted over a year ago 
Grasper said:
Christopher Eccleston left doctor who because he did not want a long term commitment to the show and he did not want to be forever type cast as the doctor like all the other actors who have played him
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posted over a year ago 
boxjockey12 said:
all I know is that in his own words he said..."I did not like the life style." That might have to do with the "gay slant" they were trying out on the show so I have heard.
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posted over a year ago 
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