These days, it's hard to remember a time when David Tennant and Doctor Who weren't associated with each other. The Scottish-born actor not only captivated fans as the 10th incarnation of the Time Lord from Gallifrey from 2005-2010 and for the 50th anniversary special, but returned as the 14th Doctor for several special episodes. On an episode of his own podcast, Tennant recalled the days before he took up residence in a blue police box.
How did the casting come about?
The Independent recently reported on an interview between Tennant and Russell T. Davies that was broadcast on David Tennant Does A Podcast With... In that episode, "they discussed their first meeting about Doctor Who, which was an informal dinner party at Davies' house, along with producer Julie Gardner." Tennant says that the evening included a viewing of some old Doctor Who VHS tapes. According to a 2008 comment by Tennant, this is the show that inspired him to become an actor and the watch party was with the producers of the recently-revived BBC sci-fi show. Gardner decided to ask, "Would you ever be interested?" In the interview on Tennant's podcast, Davies admitted, "That was the night to find out if you'd be interested. That's the only reason you came out."
Davies said that after a long pause, Tennant had a costume request: "I want a coat down to there." The producer encouraged him to "just go away and just think and be calm." Davies knew that it would be "a life-changing part" and knew it would take a toll. He later related an anecdote from years later:
"I remember midway through your run, sitting in Cardiff Bay one day having a coffee, and I think it was a Saturday, and you ran through Cardiff Bay - you must have needed milk from the Tesco - with your baseball cap down. You were like a hunted ferret, and you scampered through keeping your head down. I thought, 'I did that to him.'"Russell T. Davies
Luckily, Tennant came back with an affirmative answer and his "coat down to there" is a major feature of the 10th Doctor's suit. As described by costume designer Louise Page, it is a "'Alcantra sofa' fabric Roan 11 single breasted with back vent & button detail inside pocket detail...[with a] coat lining navy "TARDIS" blue with self satin stripe." Most importantly, it is so fashionable that the Doctor claims it was a gift from legendary singer Janis Joplin.
Tennant's tenure as The Doctor has come to an end for now, but we know that Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor will return to Doctor Who for his second season on April 12 2025.