Back in Time Today
David Tennant has captivated audiences with his incredible range and charismatic performances across both the big and small screens. From his iconic role as the tenth Doctor in ‘Doctor Who’ to his chilling portrayal of villains, Tennant brings intensity and charm to every character he embodies. His impressive career spans science fiction, drama, crime thrillers, and even comedy, showcasing his remarkable versatility as an actor.
1. Doctor Who (2005-2010, 2013, 2023)
Tennant’s portrayal of the Tenth Doctor catapulted him to international fame. His energetic, emotional, and often eccentric take on the time-traveling alien won hearts worldwide, making him a fan-favorite incarnation of the character.
During his tenure, the show balanced whimsical adventure with profound emotional depth. Tennant brought both manic enthusiasm and haunting vulnerability to the role.
His return as the Fourteenth Doctor in 2023 for the show’s 60th anniversary special delighted longtime fans, proving the enduring popularity of his interpretation of the beloved Time Lord.
2. Good Omens (2019-2023)
Based on the novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, this fantasy comedy stars Tennant as the demon Crowley. With flaming red hair, snake eyes, and rock-star swagger, he delivers a performance that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.
The chemistry between Tennant and Michael Sheen (who plays the angel Aziraphale) forms the emotional core of the series. Their 6,000-year friendship unfolds as they team up to prevent Armageddon.
Tennant’s portrayal perfectly captures Crowley’s rebellious nature and unexpected humanity, making this supernatural being surprisingly relatable despite his demonic origins.
3. Broadchurch (2013-2017)
This gripping crime drama showcases Tennant at his dramatic best as Detective Inspector Alec Hardy. Set in a small coastal town rocked by the murder of a young boy, the series explores how tragedy affects tight-knit communities.
Tennant portrays Hardy as a troubled, abrasive detective with a hidden vulnerability. His Scottish accent (Tennant’s natural accent) and somber demeanor create a character worlds away from his more energetic roles.
The partnership between Hardy and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) develops into one of television’s most compelling detective duos, with Tennant’s performance earning critical acclaim throughout the show’s three seasons.
4. Jessica Jones (2015-2019)
Marvel fans witnessed Tennant’s talent for playing villains in this Netflix series. As Kilgrave, a mind-controlling sociopath, he created one of the most terrifying antagonists in the Marvel universe.
What makes his performance especially chilling is how he balances Kilgrave’s charming exterior with the character’s profound evil. Dressed impeccably in purple suits, Tennant delivers lines with a casual cruelty that sends shivers down viewers’ spines.
Though primarily featured in the first season, his character’s impact resonates throughout the series. Tennant’s portrayal earned widespread praise for bringing psychological depth to a comic book villain.
5. Des (2020)
In this chilling miniseries, Tennant transforms into real-life serial killer Dennis Nilsen. The physical resemblance he achieves is uncanny, but it’s his restrained, matter-of-fact performance that truly disturbs.
Unlike his more expressive roles, here Tennant employs subtle mannerisms and a flat affect that perfectly captures Nilsen’s unnervingly ordinary exterior. The series focuses on Nilsen’s arrest and interrogation rather than the crimes themselves.
Critics praised Tennant’s ability to portray such a dark character without sensationalism. His performance demonstrates his extraordinary range, proving he can disappear completely into even the most challenging roles.
6. Hamlet (2009)
Tennant’s classical training shines in this Royal Shakespeare Company production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece. His portrayal of the Danish prince combines intellectual depth with raw emotional power.
Originally performed on stage to sold-out audiences, this filmed version preserves Tennant’s electrifying performance. He brings a modern, neurotic energy to Hamlet while honoring the character’s philosophical complexity.
Famous soliloquies like “To be or not to be” feel freshly discovered in Tennant’s hands. His background in both classical theater and television allows him to make Shakespeare accessible without sacrificing the text’s poetic power.
7. Inside Man (2022)
This BBC/Netflix thriller showcases Tennant as Harry Watling, a village vicar whose life intertwines with a death row inmate in America. The limited series examines how ordinary people can commit terrible acts when pushed to extremes.
Tennant excels at portraying a good man making increasingly questionable choices. His character’s descent begins with a simple act of kindness that spirals into a moral nightmare.
The show’s premise that “everyone is a murderer—you just need to meet the right person” gives Tennant rich material to explore the darker sides of human nature. His performance anchors this tense, thought-provoking drama.
8. Fright Night (2011)
Tennant delivers a scene-stealing performance in this horror-comedy remake as Peter Vincent, a Las Vegas magician and self-proclaimed vampire expert. With long hair, tattoos, and leather pants, it’s one of his most physically transformed roles.
His character provides both comic relief and unexpected heroism. Vincent initially appears as a fraud and a coward, making his eventual bravery all the more satisfying.
Tennant brings rock-star energy and perfect comedic timing to the role. Even in a supporting part, he makes a memorable impression, demonstrating his ability to elevate genre films with his magnetic screen presence.
9. Staged (2020-2021)
Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, this meta-comedy series stars Tennant and Michael Sheen as fictionalized versions of themselves. The show follows their attempts to rehearse a play over video calls while dealing with lockdown frustrations.
Much of the dialogue is improvised, allowing Tennant to showcase his comedic talents in a more natural setting. The friendship between Tennant and Sheen provides genuine warmth beneath the bickering.
With its innovative format and celebrity cameos, the series found humor in the universal experience of pandemic life. Tennant’s willingness to poke fun at himself reveals a refreshing lack of vanity.
10. The Escape Artist (2013)
In this legal thriller miniseries, Tennant plays Will Burton, a brilliant defense barrister who never loses a case. When a client he successfully defends returns to commit a personal crime against him, Burton seeks justice outside the system he knows so well.
The role showcases Tennant’s ability to convey intelligence and intensity. His character’s transformation from confident professional to grief-stricken avenger gives him emotional territory to explore.
The three-part format allows for a tightly plotted story with no wasted moments. Tennant’s performance drives this exploration of how far a law-abiding person might go when the legal system fails them.
11. There She Goes (2018-2020)
This heartfelt comedy-drama shows a different side of Tennant as Simon, the father of a daughter with a severe learning disability. Based on the real-life experiences of writer Shaun Pye, the series balances humor with honest portrayals of parenting challenges.
Tennant portrays Simon’s struggles with patience, acceptance, and occasional resentment without judgment. His performance avoids sentimentality while still conveying deep love for his daughter.
The show alternates between two timelines, allowing Tennant to show his character’s growth from overwhelmed new parent to more capable father. His chemistry with co-star Jessica Hynes creates a believable, complex marriage.
12. Deadwater Fell (2020)
This dark miniseries features Tennant as Tom Kendrick, a doctor whose family dies in a house fire. As the investigation unfolds, the community’s perception of this seemingly perfect family man begins to change.
Tennant masterfully keeps viewers guessing about his character’s true nature. The series explores themes of domestic abuse and coercive control through the lens of a tight-knit Scottish village.
The show’s non-linear storytelling gradually reveals the truth behind the tragedy. Tennant’s nuanced performance supports this structure, showing different facets of his character as new information comes to light.
13. Criminal: UK (2020)
Tennant appears in a single episode of this anthology series, but his performance as Dr. Edgar Fallon, a man accused of murdering his teenage stepdaughter, leaves a lasting impression. The entire episode takes place in a police interrogation room.
Limited to one setting, Tennant relies entirely on facial expressions and vocal modulation to convey his character’s complex emotions. The confined space creates claustrophobic tension that builds throughout the episode.
His 45-minute performance showcases Tennant’s ability to command attention without action sequences or special effects. The revelation of his character’s true nature demonstrates Tennant’s skill at subverting audience expectations.