I was sent good luck cards from Tom Baker and Peter Davison. They were the Doctors I grew up watching, while eating toast and drinking Tizer at home, so I was very honoured.

Unlike other enduring characters such as Sherlock Holmes or Tarzan, being the Doctor allows you a certain freedom that is both very demanding and very thrilling. It allows you to make the character using elements of yourself.

Drama school is a pretty intense experience and I think it changes who you are. I think I grew up at drama school (which was fairly useful personally as much as professionally) and I certainly got exposed to a huge range of ideas, techniques and practices that I had no previous experience of. I wouldn't have known what I was doing as an actor if I hadn't gone.

'The Doctor' Quotes

About you? Oh, right from the start. Reduced iris contraction, slight thinning of the hair follicles on the left temple, and, frankly, you smell. You might as well have worn a t-shirt saying 'Clone' although maybe not in front of Captain Jack.
(Series 4 - The Poison Sky)

Well, that's not a very good nickname. What if you do get defeated? General Staal the not-quite-so-undefeated-any-more-but-never-mind?
(Series 4 - The Sontaran Strategem)

Well, if that's what you want. I mean, it's a bit soon. I had so many places I wanted to take you. The Fifteenth Broken Moon of the Medusa Cascade, the Lightning Skies of Cotter Palluni's World, the Diamond Coral Reefs of Kataa Flo Ko... Thank you. Thank you, Donna Noble. It's been brilliant. You saved my life, in so many ways. You are... You're just popping home for a visit, that's what you mean.
(Series 4 - The Sontaran Strategem)

There's something else I've always wanted to say: Allons-y Alonzo!
(Series 4 - Voyage of the Damned)

I'm the Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I'm from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous. I'm 903 years old, and I'm the man who's gonna save your lives and all six billion people on the planet below. You got a problem with that?
(Series 4 - Voyage of the Damned)

Oh, no, of course. You mostly went hands-free didn't you? Like, "Hey, I'm the Doctor. I can save the universe using a kettle and some string! And look at me, I'm wearing a vegetable!"
(Children in Need - Time Crash)

Not even a myth? Blimey, the end of the universe is a bit humbling.
(Series 3 - Utopia)

Ooh, that's rude.... Is that the sort of man I am now? Am I rude? Rude and not ginger.
Series 2 - The Christmas Invasion)

Well.... you could do that- yeah, you could do that, of course you could! But why? Look at these people, these human beings; consider their potential! From the day they arrive on the planet, blinking, step into the sun, there is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than- no, hold on. Sorry, that's The Lion King. But, the point still stands: Leave them alone!
(Series 2 - The Christmas Invasion)

Back to your mum. It's all waiting. Fish and chips, sausage and mash, beans on toast... No! Christmas! Turkey! Although, having met your mother, [sotte voce] nutloaf would be more appropriate.
(Children in Need 2005)

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