Matt Smith to replace David Tennant

Virtual unknown Matt Smith, who boasts a Doctor-like collection of Swiss Army watches, has been hand-selected by the BBC to replace David Tennant as the new Doctor Who. Tennant, who is exiting the popular British SF show after three series, announced his intent to step down at the same time as series reviver Russell T. Davies stepped down, following a handful of special episodes produced this year.

Smith’s debut, though, will have to wait until nearly 2010; his first appearance will be in the 2009 Christmas Special, scheduled to be Tennant’s final bow. Smith will immediately become the youngest man ever to take on the role of The Doctor in the long-running British show.

Smith’s debut will also be marked with changes to the creative team, as Davies steps aside in favor of Piers Wenger and Steven Moffatt. Smith is the eleventh actor to be cast as The Doctor, not counting Rowan Atkinson and a boatload of others during a BBC Christmas satire skit several years ago.

Personally, I was pulling for the new Doctor to be Dr. House – Hugh Laurie!