Doctor Who: The Physical Toll of Being the Doctor

Being the Doctor seems like it would be the type of role that a fan of the show would want to keep for as long as possible. However, the physical demands on Doctor Who may play a part in the shelf life of each incarnation.

Doctor Who is, at heart, an adventure show with a great deal of action. More often than not, the Doctor and his companion(s) are running away from danger, or rushing about trying to save the day from those hordes who wish to exterminate, assimilate and upgrade others in their quest for conquest. It must be exhausting, and would obviously carry the risk of injury.

Those injuries have occurred with both Peter Capaldi and Matt Smith. Following Series Nine, Capaldi damaged his meniscus membrane while filming, which is the same injury that Smith had during his tenure. Considering the difference in age between the two characters, that does not appear to be a cause for such issues.

Perhaps the physicality associated with portraying the Doctor has an affect on how long each actor lasts in the role. Matt Smith lasted three seasons, as did David Tennant. Tennant himself had a back injury in 2008, although he was unsure of what caused the prolapsed disc. Could it be that the show takes such a toll on the body that one can only be the Doctor for so long?

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At this point, with Capaldi possibly being replaced when Chris Chibnall takes over, it would be easy to claim that the three series run is tradition. Chibnall would have his new Doctor to match his vision of the show, while Capaldi would be free to pursue other projects. Yet, this apparent tradition may come at the price of the health of these actors.

It is also important to note that the age of the actor does not appear to matter. Young, older, or in between, the wear and tear of taking on the role of the Doctor still manifests. It is not a role for the weak, and the punishment that the past three Doctors have taken only proves that.

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The physicality required in the role of the Doctor could help explain why the previous two incarnations only lasted three seasons. With Capaldi himself being injured on Doctor Who, one has to wonder if that will factor in to his decision as to whether or not to remain in the role after Series Ten.