I was watching The Second Coming yesterday afternoon (don't worry, you didn't miss it... I was watching on a DVD machine) and it hit me. Christopher Eccleston is my favourite living TV actor. I've always loved him on the small screen. Everyone I know loves him on the small screen. Despite being built like a long distance runner and having a funny face, every woman I know 'would'. Wracking my brains, I struggled to think of a TV role I haven't fawned over.
Watching The Second Coming, I was reminded just how brilliant Eccleston is. This is a bloke who can act with every inch of his skin, ever electric synapse in his brain. He chooses scripts well and, basically, hasn't done a thing wrong. Even when he stars in b-movie tat like 28 Days Later, he's still phenomenal... but we're not hear to talk about his appearances on the silver screen (by virtue of the fact that this is a TV site and I know very little about cinema).
Looking at his work on telly, it's staggering stuff. He's been in loads of my favourite shows ever aired. Our Friends in the North, Cracker, the aforementioned The Second Coming, Hillsborough, Heroes... and he's lit up shows I wouldn't normally watch like a modern adaptation of Othello and a guest spot in Linda Green.
One of his most memorable roles was in Cracker as Detective Chief Inspector David Bilborough. As a teen, I was hooked on this show and I remember being incredibly gutted when he lay, stabbed and dying on a doorstep. For two days straight, me and a mate at school could talk about nothing else. Since then, I decided to keep an eye out for him.
Of course, this led me to his roles in Shallow Grave (where he acts Ewan McGregor into a cocked hat) and a re-run, late night on Channel 4 of his role as Derek Bentley in the superb Let Him Have It. Eccleston isn't just a great actor, but a brave one too. He takes ugly roles, meaty roles... anything that will leave the viewer reeling.
Since watching The Second Coming, I've been trying to think of an actor I like more. Timothy Spall came close... Jim Broadbent too... but not close enough. Fact is, if Chris Eccleston is appearing in something, I'll watch it without question. He is, by far, the best actor of my generation.
He's my favourite actor too - I've loved him since Shallow Grave. If you ever get the chance to see him on stage, go. I saw him in Hamlet and also a play called Electricity and he's even more "electric" in the flesh.
Plus he once said "Hiya" to me in Parsonage Gardens in Manchester. Fact. (I said hello back, but only when I'd recovered my faculties about five minutes later. The shame.)
Oh I do remember that scene from Cracker... to this day I still do not understand why did they have to kill him off.
And I was delighted to see him on Heroes but psssst I much prefer him in British shows :)
I'll have to get my hands on the Second coming, sounds interesting enough.
Me also. I spend a fortune buying Region 2 DVDs with him & having them shipped to New York.
My other favorite actor I can't find in the states -- James Nesbitt.
Agreed he is the one of the best if not THE best actor of his generation. It is staggering how many and the variety of roles he has had in the last twenty years in theatre, television and in cinema.
Having met him on four occasions in the past three years, Christopher Eccleston is an absolute gentleman when it comes to meet and greet fans.
He is also a humanitarian when it comes to charity work and should be recognised for the contribution he has made, though it would probably embarrass him as he likes to keep things quiet. Patron of the mixed disabled group Celebrity Pig based in Manchester.
May I also point out to those people who think that he quit Doctor Who - he never did as it was widely reported, instead he was committed to do one series only.
Need I say anything else? Oh yes, he has played the Prince of Denmark before David Tennant did.
F A N T A S T I C
I live in California (not far from LA)and I agree that Chris Eccleston is one FANTASTIC actor and the most humanitarian person of this time. Did you know that there is a petition on line to get him "Knighted"?? Well, there is and everyone who appreciates this gentleman and fine actor should sign it. I belive the link is: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/CE021161964. If you really love Christopher Eccleston - then help him get this or some kind of award for all he's done publicly and professionally!
Lisee
Few actors fill a screen like Christopher Eccleston. When he is on screen, it is impossible to tear my eyes away. He commands my attention, delights me, frightens me, forces me into his sphere of existence with every syllable and gesture. A brilliant actor. An all around decent human being. And so refreshingly, he remains his own man even though he's rubbed shoulders with some of the best. I like that he remains true to himself and doesn't just play the game.
If ever they make a live action version of Wallace & Gromit, he's the man for the Wallace role.
By far the best british actor working today and appallingly overlooked. He's amazing in the modern version of Othello. I am Dina is my favoruite film of all time and he's fantastic int hat and stunningly beautiful in it.