UKTV Drama's Leading Men: Christopher Eccleston

What has been Christopher Eccleston's most impressive performance to date? His best-ever series or film? Doctor Who? Our Friends in the North? Hearts and Minds?

I thought he was fantastic in Jude The Obscure (if you can bear the downbeat nature of the story...)

He's pretty much superb in everything, thoug I really enjoyed his performances in Cracker and The Second Coming. He was xxxx sexy as Doctor Who, too.

The thing about Christopher Eccleston is that he's such a great, versatile actor that it's almost more interesting to look at the (very) few performances that aren't up to scratch.

The film that leaps to mind is Shallow Grave, which I think is completely overrated and, in the long run, proved to be more of a calling card for Danny Boyle than a benchmark British thriller. (I'm aware that the rest of the world seems to disagree with me about this!) I'm not saying that Eccleston is bad in the role of David Stephens - he did the best he could with the script. But it's not so much a brilliantly observed performance of a man's decent into madness as much as someone going a bit iffy after an amateur autopsy...

I rewatched Shallow Grave last year and must admit it didn't live up to my memories of it, but it was Ewan McGregor who I thought seemed a bit wooden. That said, I still really enjoyed it and I think the end is great.

So David, you think living in an attic and drilling holes in the floor to spy on your pals is just a bit iffy?

Hey you're strict on swearing here aren't you, I only said CE was d-a-m-n sexy as Doctor Who!

Yes, you're right - he was a bit C3PO in Shallow Grave, but that's Ewan for you. He's got star-quality, but his acting varies depending on part and project.

Hmmm.... peep-holes in the attic? Oh come on, we've all done it, surely? Normal teenage phase. Oh, ok - it's a bit more than odd. But I didn't buy the conveniently quick transition of David Stephens from slightly withdrawn everyman to full-blown loon - bit of character development wouldn't have gone amiss.

Yes, I think we might have to
review our "profanity filter" d-a-m-n it... !

Agree about Ewan and I see your point about Stephens' transition. Maybe they were limited by a low budget, time constraints etc. Hey I'm trying to be kind, it doesn't happen often.

haha - I don't know why I'm so obsessed with Shallow Grave, I'm probably being too harsh!!

I feel the same way about the Blair Witch Project - admittedly the end scene played on my mind for a while aftewards but generally I sat there wondering why they were getting so hysterical. I really wanted it to live up to the hype but it didn't - well, not for me anyway.

Anyway, veering wildly back on topic. I heard a little while ago that Christopher Eccleston might be starring in a remake of The Prisoner. Now that could be interesting.

i think he was the main reason dr who returned so well,he had a great dry sense of humor,yet showed great passion in the more dramatic moments,i think since his departure,that show has lacked that great quality

I agree, brainyone. I thought David Tennant would make a great Doctor (I hope he still will) but the second series (or whichever number it is if you count from the real first series!) was a bit of a let down in the end for me.

Christopher Eccleston certainly played The Doctor with more depth and drama.

I liked chris in Jude, i thought his performance was brilliant. I also liked him in Shallow Grave and cracker. Unfortunately i haven't seen Our friends in the north, but i would really like to. I believe Christopher Eccleston is one of our finest actors to date.

It's Nicky Hutchinson in Our Friends In The North for me- one of the greatest drama series of all time. Christopher did an amazing job of portraying a character over half his life time. He's also consistently outstanding in his collaborations with Jimmy McGovern- Bilborough in Cracker, Trevor Hicks in Hillsborough, Drew in Hearts and Minds (Heart was rather hit and miss though....). The little seen Strumpet is also an absolute gem- golly I could rave over him all day!!
I agree about the Shallow Grave comments but it's weird that everyone remembers Ewan, then when they rewatch it 10 years later they realise is was Christopher who puts the best performance in.

Although I've voted for Christopher Eccleston, I don't know that I'd want to see more of him since it's the quality of his work that keeps him so watchable if that makes sense

Strumpet is brilliant, Jude had me in tears and years later we all realise how brilliant he was in Shallow Grave. And I still can't watch that last scene in Cracker!

As for Doctor Who, I admit that I had never watched until the first series of its new guise and have to say that it was great to see the role of the Doctor acted so well and with respect for the target child audience. My nephews are still wanting to see him back and haven't been in the least bit satisfied by series 2. They are bemused by the 'wackaday' acting and less challenging scripts. It leaves me to think that the Ninth Doctor had a lucky escape.

And yes, from an total tart pov, he is a very gorgeous fella!