Possible spoilers ahead!
David Tennant is well known by sci-fi fans for playing the 10th incarnation of The Doctor, the hero of the British series Doctor Who, but he is much more than that. Tennant is one of the most versatile actors of his generation — from playing Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to voicing Scrooge McDuck in Duck Tales, he can play anything. Tennant is also a recognized stage actor in the West End where he acted in several Shakespearean plays like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Richard II. He will go back to the West End in Good later this year. If you are looking for something to watch during the confinement, may I suggest these great shows:
Broadchurch
Tennant plays DI Alec Hardy, a police detective recently transferred to the sea town of Broadchurch after a disastrous case. Hardy is an experienced and dedicated detective who doesn’t play well with people. As the series progresses, Hardy forges links with his coworker DS Ellie Miller (played by Olivia Colman). We can see that under harsh comments, he does care about people and victims. The show is composed of three seasons with each of them focusing on a different case. The second season is centered around the Sandbrook case which caused Hardy to settle in Broadchurch and who never left his mind. The whole series is produced and written by Chris Chibnall, the current showrunner of Doctor Who.
Casanova
In this three episode mini-series recalling the life of Casanova, Peter O’Toole remembers his colourful life and Henriette (played by Laura Fraser), the only woman he ever loved. Tennant plays the part of the young Casanova with enthusiasm and sometimes a hint of darkness. In the hands of Tennant, Casanova is a compelling character with his immense energy, his love for Henriette, and his ability to really listen to women and what they want. The series doesn’t really focus on Casanova’s conquests and his sexual performances, but more on his quest to see Henriette again and his attempts to become rich. Russell T. Davies wrote the series and, after seeing Tennant’s performance as Casanova, chose him to become the Tenth Doctor. This version of Casanova’s life is not the most historically accurate, but it is a very entertaining one.
Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones focuses on a ex-superhero who became a private detective, after accidentally killing someone while under the villain Kilgrave’s influence. In the first season, Tennant plays Kilgrave, born Kevin Thompson, who was experimented on by his parents. He developed the capacity on controlling minds and getting people to do exactly when he wants. Kilgrave is obsessed by Jessica, and since she resisted his powers, is in love with her. Kilgrave is absolutely devoid of compassion and the only thing he cares is himself and getting what he wants. Tennant is always at his best when he plays a bad guy and is absolutely amazing in this role.
The Escape Artist
Will Burton is a talented barrister specialized in getting his clients out of difficult situations. Burton offends one of his clients, Liam Foyle (Toby Kebbell), after getting him acquitted thanks to a loophole. Soon after, his wife is murdered and he sees Foyle at the scene. Foyle is arrested and Maggie Gardner (Sophie Okonedo), Burton’s rival, represents him. Meanwhile, Burton is investigating the case. Gardner wins the case and Foyle is set free. The criminal starts to stalk his former lawyer until he dies after a confrontation with Burton. Burton is arrested and accused of murder and chooses to defend himself. Tennant won the BAFTA Scotland for the Best Actor in Television for this role in 2014.
Good Omens
Last, but certainly not least, Good Omens, one of the best shows released in 2019. The show is adapted from Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s novel and is directed by Douglas McKinnon. In Good Omens, an angel named Aziraphale (played by Michael Sheen) and a demon called Crowley (played by David Tennant), having grown fond of Earth and of their lives among humans, join forces to prevent the coming of the Antichrist and the Apocalypse. The show is worth watching again and again, not only because of the amazing writing, but also because of the off the charts chemistry between Tennant and Sheen.
Bonus
If you are looking for something to listen to, check out Tennant’s podcast David Tennant Does a Podcast with where the actor interviews friends and collegues (Catherine Tate, Olivia Colman, Michael Sheen, and more) and The Tenth Doctor Adventures from Big Finish where Tennant reprises his role of the Tenth Doctor alongside Catherine Tate and Billie Piper.
