I've seen most of Nobby's suggestions on BBC tv shows. Most of them are impressive actors. The only one that leaps instantly to mind as being able to do that cheerful manic overwhelming hyperactivity and lunacy straight off the bat is James Nesbit. I do however like the Paterson idea, as Paterson has a very strong screen presence.
I started watching Dr Who when it was Tom Baker, so both the modern doctors have pleased me immensely because their roles are very much patterned after Tom Baker's younger, hyperactive, joking, slightly lunatic Dr Who personality. I loved both Eccleston and Tennant in the role, and think they've been very well directed and had extremely good scripts (overall, some episodes have been weaker than others.)
I'm incredibly impressed that the modern scriptwriters have explored so many of the strangenesses and unexplored consequences of the original series.
* so the doctor drops in, picks up a companion out of her life for a while, and then drops her off again never to return...!? This is a large disruption! What happens to everyone she leaves behind? What happens to her after she's in effect abandoned?
* he drops into a place, has an adventure, then leaves... what are the consequences of his interventions? What does he leave behind him?
* He's all for non-violence... really? Where's the line when you accept other people's protection?
* and damnit, what IS it, with a male doctor and a female companion running around the universe together in one small, alright large, box?
Edited, Oct 31st 2008 2:49pm by Aripyanfar