Christopher Eccleston reveals why he left ‘Doctor Who,’ why he makes all those awful Hollywood movies, and why he’s going to kick Rupert Murdoch’s ass

I wasn’t going to post this, because it’s not really anything new, just more details expanding on what Eccleston has said in the past. But reader innpchan requested it, so here it is.

The podcast Bad Wilf offers a transcript of Eccleston’s comments at a an acting master class at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

I left Doctor Who because I could not get along with the senior people. I left because of politics. I did not see eye to eye with them. I didn’t agree with the way things were being run. I didn’t like the culture that had grown up around the series....

I thought to remain, which would have made me a lot of money and given me huge visibility. The price I would have had to pay was to eat a lot of shit. I’m not being funny about that. I didn’t want to do that and, it comes to the art of it, in a way.... We are vulnerable as actors and we are constantly humiliating ourselves auditioning. But if you allow that to go on on a grand scale., you will lose whatever it is about you, and it will be present in your work....

You’ve got to have standards, no matter how hard work that is.... It’s easy to find a job when you’ve got no morals, you’ve got nothing to be compromised....

I’m sure they were glad to see the back of me. The important thing is that I succeeded. It was a great part. I loved playing [the Doctor]. I loved connecting with that audience. Because I’ve always acted for adults and then suddenly, you’re acting for children. Who are far more tasteful, they will not be bullshitted....