Summary
- David Tennant’s portrayal of Tom Kendrick in Deadwater Fell showcases his ability to play complex and flawed characters with fantastic depth.
- His performance as the voice of Huyang in Ahsoka highlights his skill at adapting to any format flawlessly, showing his versatility.
- Tennant’s role as Crowley in Good Omens demonstrates his incredible range as a performer, bringing a unique charisma and attitude to the character.
David Tennant is one of the best British actors of all time, with a huge selection of incredible TV and movie characters under his belt. The talented Scotsman is best remembered for portraying the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors in Doctor Who, one of the best TV shows of all time, but he has also appeared in some brilliant films as well. While there are some unexpected similarities between David Tennant’s characters, he typically demonstrates a wide range of his acting abilities in every role.
Tennant has starred in multiple projects throughout his career. As well as being a prominent figure on television and in cinema, he is also known for making a splash in the world of voice acting, video games, and theater. Tennant is a powerful Shakespearean performer, but he frequently proves that he can take on any kind of character. From Doctor Who to DuckTales, David Tennant keeps demonstrating time and time again why he is a powerhouse actor.
Deadwater Fell (2020)
Deadwater Fell is a compelling four-part drama starring Tennant as Tom Kendrick, the local physician of a small Scottish village who loses his wife and three children to a devastating fire. As Tom is the only survivor, and it is revealed that his family had been drugged prior to the event, the residents of Kirkdarroch start to grow suspicious of him. Tennant’s portrayal of Tom is fantastic from start to finish, and while he is stellar throughout, it’s hard to remember that the actor and character are two different people.
Tennant proves in Deadwater Fell that playing complex and flawed characters is a strength of his. As details of Tom’s marriage and his extramarital affairs are exposed, Tennant continues to keep audiences on edge. Deadwater Fell is interesting because it’s the opposite of Broadchurch, but seeing the actor as the murderer rather than the detective is a refreshing change of pace.
9 Huyang
Ahsoka (2023)
Ahsoka is a fantastic example of why Tennant is such a good voice actor. David Tennant’s Ahsoka character, Huyang, is a character who is designed for lightsaber building. In fact, Tennant’s Huyang is a deliberately created figure in order to fix a plot hole in the Young Jedi arc of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (via Collider). While this is naturally an honor for the actor, Tennant’s performance makes it clear that his involvement isn’t just because he is a household name.
The ancient droid plays an essential part in teaching the Jedi, and Tennant delivers Huyang’s dialogue with such ease that even without knowing the context of the show, it’s immediately obvious how important the character is. Huyang is driven by achieving peace and justice, and he also carries centuries of intricate knowledge, all of which are qualities that many of Tennant’s best characters are known for. The actor is fabulous in Ahsoka, and it’s great that he is a part of yet another iconic sci-fi franchise.
8 David Tennant
Staged (2020-2023)
Tennant in Staged is unbelievably hilarious. Staged is one of the most meta TV shows and is often underappreciated, which is a shame, considering how brilliant his rapport with Michael Sheen is. The show is a product of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Tennant and Sheen portraying themselves, communicating over video call as they prepare for a production of Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author during lockdown.
However, in subsequent seasons, the pair starts looking into the possibility of Staged receiving an American remake and producing a theater adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Even though he doesn’t need to put much effort into playing himself, Tennant still brings a level of flair to his own identity that is engaging and funny. His constant bickering with Sheen is overly dramatic, but it highlights the friendship the two form after shooting Good Omens together.
7 Scrooge McDuck
DuckTales (2017-2021)
If there is any Scottish actor who has been the best choice to impersonate Scrooge McDuck in recent years, it’s Tennant. His voicing of the uber-wealthy, yet greedy, Disney character is spectacular, and it’s a fabulous take on a classic children’s figure. The revival of the animated TV seriesDuckTales sees Tennant as the guardian of his three chaotic nephews: Huey, Dewey, and Louie. McDuck’s involvement in their wacky adventures feels natural, which makes sense, considering Tennant has several young children himself.
Tennant stands out as Scrooge McDuck. While his voice is distinct and immediately recognizable, it doesn’t feel like him, and he fits the part perfectly. His comedic timing and overall attitude throughout are captivating and generally enjoyable. Tennant’s role in DuckTales is a staple in his filmography, and it’s one of the very best pieces of voice acting of his career.
6 Jack The Lord Commander
Final Space (2018-2021)d
Final Space’s Jack, the Lord Commander, is another example of why Tennant’s voice acting is a great skill of his. At a glance, Jack isn’t as threatening as he believes himself to be, but Tennant’s narration of the character makes him that much more intimidating. His ability to portray villains is spectacular, but the fact that he makes it work in a cartoon proves that he can adapt to any format flawlessly.
Tennant provides some of the funniest quotes in Final Space, but this doesn’t necessarily diminish Jack’s deeper and more terrifying moments. His menacing take on the psychic villain is solid throughout, and he is notably prominent in the intergalactic comedy. Tennant is a notable addition to the Final Space cast and stands out from the rest, which is impressive, especially as he is working alongside massive voice-acting names like SpongeBob SquarePants’ Tom Kenny and comedian Fred Armisen.
5 Giacomo Casanova
Casanova (2005)
Tennant’s career truly kicks off with BBC’s Casanova, one of the best TV miniseries ever. His performance as the titular character is the reason Tennant is the Doctor, as showrunner Russell T. Davies has previously claimed. The famous womanizer’s wild escapades in 18th-century Italy illustrate how captivating an actor Tennant has always been, and even though he is the lead, he steals the spotlight for every single second of Casanova. Even when he isn’t on-screen, it’s hard not to skip ahead to Tennant’s next scene.
Giacomo Casanova is easily one of David Tennant’s best roles other than the Doctor. The character is what put the actor on the map, and he launched him straight to superstardom at a rapid rate. His chemistry with Nina Sosanya as Bellino and Laura Fraser as Henriette are both magnificently impactful, and the moments he shares with them show that Tennant’s ability to flirt on camera is like no other.
4 Alec Hardy
Broadchurch (2013-2017)
There are several Doctor Who actors in Broadchurch, but Tennant, as the miserable yet enthralling DI Alec Hardy, trumps the likes of Jodie Whittaker and Arthur Darvill. The veteran detective’s investigation into the death of 11-year-old Danny Latimer in the titular seaside town is profound and demonstrates Tennant’s theatrical experience amazingly. Tennant’s portrayal of Hardy is subtle and powerful at the same time, and the pacing and overall demeanor he brings to the character are unmatched.
Tennant’s rapport with Olivia Colman is simply breathtaking, and the duo is yet to be improved upon on TV. Even during Hardy’s awkward moments in Broadchurch, which bring elements of humor to a rather bleak and depressing story, the trauma-fueled friendship they develop is incredible. Their bizarre bond remains strong in Broadchurch seasons 2 and 3, which is one of the best things about the show.
3 Crowley
Good Omens (2019-Present)
The record-breaking adaptation of Good Omens is Tennant’s latest fantasy hit. In it, he stars as the agent of Hell, Crowley, opposite Michael Sheen’s Aziraphale. Crowley is one of Tennant’s most memorable roles in recent years, and the demon’s constant back-and-forth between being chaotic and having a heart of gold is why his character is so great. Tennant does an exceptional job of portraying Crowley, from his quirky mannerisms to his more profound and emotional moments.
Good Omens proves just how strong Sheen and Tennant’s rapport is. The wild differences between the two characters are even clearer because of their solid chemistry. One particularly amazing element of the show is the pair’s bizarre relationship that borders on romance. However, one reason why Tennant’s Crowley is so good is that he’s a unique and distinct character compared to the actor’s other roles. Crowley’s charisma and sarcastic attitude make him stand out in the Good Omens cast, but he also allows Tennant to show off his incredible range as a performer.
2 Kilgrave
Jessica Jones (2015-2019)
Kilgrave is a classic antagonist, and David Tennant’s casting in Jessica Jones is absolutely genius. Tennant’s role in the MCU is prominent, but he achieves such a standing in the franchise because of how effortlessly he delivers his performance as the unhinged abuser of the titular character. It’s hard to imagine Tennant’s iconic charm and wholesomeness wrapped up in such a manipulative character, but Kilgrave demonstrates just why the actor is such a superstar. The way Kilgrave uses his voice to control others is spine-chilling and eerie.
Tennant is celebrated for his ability to make both the Jessica Jones characters and audiences uneasy, but this is also why the character is so successful. Some of Tennant’s best scenes are opposite Krysten Ritter. Jessica Jones’ immunity to Kilgrave’s powers results in some intense moments that allow the actor to showcase why he deserves even more People’s Choice Award nominations for his character than the one he already has. Even though the show is now over, David Tennant has discussed returning to the MCU, and hopefully, audiences will see him reprise Kilgrave at some point in the future.
1 The Doctor
Doctor Who (2005-2010, 2013)
David Tennant is a flawless actor, but there is no other character of his that compares to the Doctor. Out of every actor who plays the Doctor in Doctor Who, Tennant is the only one to portray more than one version of the character. In fact, in the span of 19 years, he has played three different interpretations of the Doctor – the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors and the Metacrisis Doctor. Tennant has been part of several legendary moments in Doctor Who ’s history and stands as the show’s best lead because of his energetic performance and commandment of the screen.
His popularity in the show has been so notable that he’s returned multiple times over the years. Tennant truly redefined the Doctor’s character in Doctor Who for the better, and he set a precedent that nobody could ever beat. Each of his Doctors differs in a few ways, but overall, they are known for being cheeky and witty. However, they’re also so dramatically impactful that it’s striking how well Tennant switches tone so quickly. While it’s not ideal for an actor to be only remembered for their breakthrough character, David Tennant proves that peaking early isn’t a bad thing whatsoever.
