David Tennant
David Tennant (born David John McDonald; 18 April 1971) is a Scottish actor renowned for his portrayal of the Tenth Doctor in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who from 2005 to 2010.[1] Born in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland, he adopted his stage name early in his career to distinguish himself in the entertainment industry.[2] Tennant has earned acclaim across television, film, and theatre, with notable roles including the villainous Kilgrave in the Netflix series Jessica Jones, the demon Crowley in Good Omens, and DI Alec Hardy in the crime drama Broadchurch.[1] His stage performances, such as Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company and Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse, have garnered Olivier Award nominations and Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for Shakespearean excellence.[3] Tennant's career trajectory reflects a versatility spanning genre fiction, psychological thrillers, and classical theatre, contributing to his status as one of the UK's most recognized performers.[1] He has received multiple accolades, including a BAFTA Television Award for Best Actor for his work in The Escape Artist and various theatre honors.[4] In recent years, public attention has also focused on his outspoken views on social issues, particularly gender and transgender rights; during a 2024 speech at the British LGBT Awards, he criticized UK Minister Kemi Badenoch's positions on these topics, stating she should "shut up" and eliciting responses from political figures including then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who labeled Tennant "the problem."[5][6] This incident highlighted divisions in public discourse on sex-based rights versus gender identity advocacy.[7]