THE CHANGING FACE

Dr Who? BBC chooses newcomer

01-06-2009 | REUTERS

Matt Smith is the youngest Doctor and personifies the spirit of the Time Lord always willing to the save the world

Panama Star Matt Smith, 26, will make his debut in 2010, replacing David Tennant who leaves at the end of this year. He is the youngest actor to play the part.

The BBC revealed the identity of the new Dr. Who during a special edition of "Doctor Who Confidential" on the weekend

"I'm just so excited about the journey that is in front of me," Smith said in a statement.

"The challenge for me is to do justice to the show's illustrious past, my predecessors and most importantly to those who watch it. I really cannot wait."

The role was originated in 1963 by William Hartnell. His successors included Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, and Christopher Eccleston.

Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat said it took a special actor to play the doctor.

"You need to be old and young at the same time, a boffin and an action hero, a cheeky schoolboy and the wise old man of the universe," Moffat said. "As soon as Matt walked through the door and blew us away with a bold and brand new take on the Time Lord, we knew we had our man."

Smith has previously appeared on TV, in films and the theater. He is best known for appearing in the BBC adaptation of Phillip Pullman's "The Ruby In The Smoke."

Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a mysterious alien time-traveller known as "the Doctor" who travels in his space and time-ship, the TARDIS, which appears from the exterior to be a blue 1950s police box. With his companions, he explores time and space, solving problems, facing monsters and righting wrongs.

The programme is listed in Guinness World Records as the longest-running science fiction television show in the world and is also a significant part of British popular culture. It has been recognized for its imaginative stories, creative low-budget special effects during its original run, and pioneering use of electronic music (originally produced by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop).

In the United Kingdom and elsewhere, the show has become a cult television favorite and has influenced generations of British television professionals, many of whom grew up watching the series. It has received recognition from critics and the public as one of the finest British television programmes, including the BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series in 2006. The programme originally ran from 1963 to 1989. After an unsuccessful attempt to revive regular production with a backdoor pilot in the form of a 1996 television film, the programme was successfully re-launched in 2005.