Doctor Who icon Christopher Eccleston reveals what could finally get him to return to the show
The actor played the Doctor for just one season in 2005.
Christopher Eccleston has revealed he would be open to a Doctor Who return – but that he has a very specific condition.
The actor played the Ninth Doctor for the series' 2005 revival, teaming up with Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) for a set of adventures.
Appearing on a C2E2 2026 spotlight panel on Saturday (28 March), Eccleston was asked whether, given that Tennant had recently returned to the role, he’d ever make a reappearance in the Whoniverse.
"Here’s the thing: Doctor Who’s written for boys," he responded. "There has never been a female showrunner of Doctor Who."
He continued: "So my dream is this: there was a little girl who was, I don’t know — six, seven, eight — in 2005 when my series went out, and she gets the job, and she asked me back? I’d go back like a shot.”
Eccleston has repeatedly ruled out a return to the show.
Speaking to Radio Times in 2018, Eccleston spoke at length about how he “lost faith” in the production during filming.
“My relationship with my three immediate superiors – the showrunner, the producer and co-producer – broke down irreparably during the first block of filming and it never recovered,” he said.
The star declined to return to the series for its 50th anniversary special in 2013 when Steven Moffat was showrunner.
Speaking about his decision at Rose City Comic Con in 2019, he explained: "When ['The Day of the Doctor'] came along I did speak to them. I didn't feel that what they were asking me to do did justice to the Ninth Doctor. So I said no."
In 2021, Eccleston reprised his role for a series of audio dramas produced by Big Finish – a move which left fans wondering whether a 60th anniversary TV appearance could be possible.
But speaking during a Q&A as part of Dragon Con, Eccleston denied that possibility, saying "my relationship with the BBC over Doctor Who has not healed."
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Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
