Recovery’
In Recovery, David Tennant takes on the difficult role of Alan Hamilton, a happy family man and head of a construction firm who receives some severe brain injuries, including memory loss, in a road accident. This isn’t your basic or sweet Hollywood amnesia rom-com, though – it’s a very raw look at what actually happens in these circumstances – the behavioural changes, the loss of hope, the grief of a family and the tragic, but truthful, lack of recovery.
In this TV movie, Tennant is reunited with Sarah Parish, who also played his love interest in Blackpool. Both Tennant and Parish’s work in this film has been highly praised by critics – Recovery received rave reviews, with many writers and fans calling it the best thing Tennant has ever done. This one is a night-ruiner, but it’s also a must-see.
‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’
We’re not including Doctor Who in general on this list, because, come on, you’ve all seen it, and how would we begin to summarise his entire tenure as the Tenth Doctor in just a few lines? Everyone knows that David Tennant was one of the greatest Doctors ever. What you may not know, however, is that, coinciding with his departure from the series, he hosted a Doctor Who themed episode of the BBC’s beloved music quiz show, Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
Tennant’s guest-host – along with Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins as panelists – has gone down as stuff of legend both in the Doctor Who fandom and in Buzzcocks history. From the hilarity of just how little Catherine Tate knows about anything to do with the TARDIS, to Noel Fielding being so enamoured by Bernard Cribbins that he asked him to come and write for The Mighty Boosh, to David Tennant’s rampant defence (and singing) of Coldplay, this is maybe the most memorable episode of one of the best panel shows of all time. You’ve probably seen it gif’d, but watch the whole thing – it’s absolutely worth it.
‘Single Father’
And here’s some more trauma, hooray! In Single Father, a four-part miniseries, David Tennant plays Dave, a man attempting to piece his life back together and care for his children after the sudden death of his wife Rita.
Suranne Jones stars alongside Tennant as Sarah, the best friend of Dave’s wife with whom he is uncertain about pursuing a relationship. Jones portrayed Idris – the TARDIS consciousness in human form – in Neil Gaiman’s award-winning Doctor Who episode “The Doctor’s Wife.” Given that “The Doctor’s Wife” was originally designated as a Tenth Doctor episode, it’s cool to watch the pair on screen and imagine how Ten and Idris may have interacted.
However, TARDIS ladies aside, Single Father stands on its own two feet as an emotional drama showing the harsh, unsentimental reality of what life after a tragedy can be like, especially when secrets from the past are revealed.
‘Twenty Twelve’
We’ve had a pretty eclectic list so far, we admit, but why stop now? Here’s a David Tennant project just that little bit odder. Twenty Twelve was a two-season spoof mockumentary series following the organisation of London’s 2012 Olympic Games.
We can’t tell you too much about Tennant’s character in Twenty Twelve, because he doesn’t quite have one – he actually provides the voiceover for the “documentary” as the camera crew follows the trials and tribulations of the fictional Olympic Deliverance Commission in the lead-up to Games. However, we can tell you that the show itself is hysterical – though not for those who can’t handle The Office-style second hand embarrassment – and that Tennant’s vocal presence certainly contributes a huge amount to the tone of the show.
Plus, the lead character Ian Fletcher is played by Hugh Bonneville, so if you’ve ever wanted to watch the Earl of Grantham attempting not to lose his cool over things like synchronised swimming, here’s your chance.
‘Much Ado About Nothing’
Before David Tennant rose to superstar status as the Doctor, he was making his name not only as a working screen actor but also in as a major player in Britain’s theatre community. The actor describes stage work as his “default way of being,” and in 2008, he re-joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for several productions including the titular role in Hamlet (leading the Guardian to dub him “the greatest Hamlet of his generation” – a filmed version of this performance was produced by the BBC.)
In 2011, the hottest ticket in the West End was for Much Ado About Nothing, which saw Tennant return to the London stage as Benedick opposite Catherine Tate’s Beatrice. This deft and mindblowingly funny adaptation of a classic Shakespearean comedy is next-level brilliant and completely accessible for everyone, from purists to those who might have struggled with understanding ol’ Billy Shakes in the past. Luckily, it’s available to watch or buy – officially, no bootlegs! – via Digital Theatre, for which thousands of fans must be ever-grateful.
Catch David Tennant in Gracepoint, Thursdays 9/8c on Fox.
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.