It can be hard for actors who get incredibly famous while portraying a single character for a long time. The hero of a long-running franchise, a fan-favorite take on an iconic figure, a fixture of the medium that’s been around forever. David Tennant is a great example because he’s done so much more with his career than the project that brought him so many fans.
Tennant began acting professionallyat only 16 years old when he appeared in an anti-smoking ad for his local board of health. He has well over a hundred credits to his name and his distinctive screen presence makes him a fan favorite wherever he pops up.
RELATED:David Tennant’s Greatest TV Roles
Crowley -Good Omens
Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s 1990 novelreceived one of the best page-to-screen adaptations in cinematic history in 2019. Honoring the death of his dear friend and co-author, Gaiman helmed the project himself, bringing a level of reverence to the material that elevates the experience. Tennant takes on the role of the demon Crowley, a self-sufficient representative of Hell who must team up with an angel to stop the end of the world. Crowley’s antagonistic friendship with the angel Aziraphale is seen by most fans as the high point of the series. Tennant has incredible chemistry with his co-star and friend Michael Sheen, leading to one of the most appealing double-acts of modern TV. On his own, Crowley is a compelling presence. He does what he wants, strides around with the swagger of a rock star, and commands a level of energy that would feel far too much for anyone else. Alongside Sheen as Aziraphale, however, the character is anabsolute joy to watch.
Detective Inspector Alec Hardy -Broadchurch
David Tennant does a lot of great work in the worlds of science fiction and fantasy, but he’s just as good in a more grounded role.Broadchurchis a BBC police drama that depicts the social collapse of a small seaside town after the death of a local 11-year-old. It’s agrim and gritty crimeseries with very little room for levity. Hardy is the fish out of water, the new high-ranking cop who is transferred to the insular village to handle its first possible homicide in years. He plays alongside the great Olivia Coleman and their touchy partnership is very compelling. Though Tennant is unquestionably playing one of the good guys in this story, this part has him being genuinely unlikeable from time to time, but he still brings humanity to the character. It’s not the most celebrated role of his career, but Tennant is hugely impressive in this haunting story.
Peter Vincent -Fright Night
This 2011 horror remake takes the rare tactic of updating the material of the original, resulting in a film that’s good in its own right.Craig Gillespie’sFright Nighttells the tale of a teenager who becomes convinced that his next-door neighbor is a vampire. When his suspicions become gradually harder to ignore, he’s forced to seek out the help of a professional. Enter David Tennant as Peter Vincent. The original iteration of the character was a schlocky late-night horror host, but the remake reimagined him as a Chris Angel-stylestage magician with great results. Tennant pulls off the overblown performance from both angles. Vincent is swiftly revealed to be a comical charlatan and a major diva, both of which take advantage of Tennant’s charisma. Even when he’s a slimy jerk, it’s hard not to like him. He acquits himself well in the film’s action scenes as well. Vincent is a solid showcase of Tennant’s unique talents.
Hamlet
Outside of film and TV, Tennant is a gifted stage actor. During the late 2000s, Tennant starred in the title role of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production ofHamlet. He plays opposite Patrick Stewart, and he’s perfectly in his element. The production uses modern dress, rather than the old-fashionedoutfits of the typical production. In 2009, the play was adapted into a three-hour-long TV movie. Tennant is spectacular, he’s able to hit the heights of emotion in ways that a lot of modern roles simply don’t allow. Stage acting is a different skill set in many ways, and Tennant can handle it just as well as he does the big and small screen.
Scrooge McDuck -DuckTales
From the stage to the vocal booth, Tennant can do it all. The recent revival of the classic Disney cartoon puts Tennant in the starring role. As Scrooge, Tennant’s Scottish accent is cranked up to 11 and his voice is as expressive as ever. Tennant revitalizes one of the most beloved old cartoon characters ever with his performance. The reboot was celebrated for its cast and Tennant was an inspiredchoice for Scrooge McDuck. He’s charming, emotional, and hilarious. There’s seemingly no medium that David Tennant can’t master, and just about every project he’s in is better for his presence.
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