Many David Tennant fans remember his iconic departure from Doctor Who back in 2010, but some are unfamiliar with his first TV show after he portrayed the Tenth Doctor: Single Father. Other than Doctor Who, David Tennant’s best TV shows include the likes of the thrilling murder mystery Broadchurch and the action-packed yet eerie Jessica Jones.
While Tennant’s career has been hugely successful since he left Doctor Who (the first time), there are a few underrated titles of his that audiences are yet to discover. The stellar actor’s filmography now features a bit of everything, including several of the best TV miniseries ever, fantasy movies, and voice acting roles.
However, Tennant’s performance in his first TV show post-Doctor Who is worth noting. Single Father is a powerful watch and a four-part drama that a lot of viewers have never heard of, and if you’ve never seen it, now is the time to check it out.
David Tennant Plays Widow Dave In Single Father
The Show Focuses On The Fallout Of The Harrowing Death Of Dave’s Partner, Rita
Technically, Rex Is Not Your Lawyer is David Tennant’s first TV show after Doctor Who, but because the pilot never made it to air, Single Father is the first title in his filmography after leaving the TARDIS. In Single Father, Tennant portrays photographer and father of four, Dave Tiler.
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Following the death of his partner, Rita, Dave is left raising their children. The pair share two sons, Paul and Ewan, and a daughter, Evie. Their eldest, Lucy, has a different biological father, but Dave has been a part of her life since she was very young, and he treats her as his own, a detail that crops up frequently throughout.
Dave’s grief, the battle for compensation over Rita’s death, Lucy connecting with her biological father, and him slowly falling in love with Rita’s best friend, Sarah, are all gripping subplots in Single Father.
As Dave learns how to parent by himself in this four-part drama, he struggles through many things. Dave’s grief, the battle for compensation over Rita’s death, Lucy connecting with her biological father, and him slowly falling in love with Rita’s best friend, Sarah, are all gripping subplots in Single Father.
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Audiences may recognize Suranne Jones, who plays Sarah, from Doctor Who, too. Suranne Jones is a fantastic British actress with an array of on-screen and theatrical titles under her belt, and she also appears in Doctor Who, but not during Tennant’s era. Jones portrays Idris (or the TARDIS) in the Doctor Who season 6 episode “The Doctor’s Wife.”
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Tennant and Jones’ rapport in Single Father is brilliant. David Tennant is a part of several iconic TV duos, and while Dave and Sarah are more passionate and intense, their interactions are just as good. Throughout the four episodes, Sarah and Dave go from friends to more, and they seek comfort in one another to help them through their grief.
Why David Tennant’s Performance In Single Father Is One Of His Most Powerful
Tennant Astounds Audiences With His Portrayal Of Grieving Photographer Dave Tiler In Single Father
Considering the change in subject matter between Single Father and Doctor Who, it’s incredible how well Tennant goes from one character to another in such a short period. Moments like his regeneration in Doctor Who allow Tennant to show off his dramatic prowess, but in Single Father, he plays a character who experiences even more negative emotions in quick succession.
Dave’s journey is a tough one, but Tennant depicts the character’s struggles beautifully. He not only has to learn how to parent by himself, but he also learns things about Rita’s past, and despite trying not to, Dave succumbs to his feelings for Sarah. Many parts of his story are relatable to audiences, regardless of their perspective on his actions.
Single Father is available to stream on Prime Video.
For his first TV show post-Doctor Who, it’s strange more audiences aren’t familiar with Single Father, but hopefully, new viewers will check it out now. The four-part miniseries is both a heartwarming and heartbreaking watch, and fans of Tennant or gripping dramas in general should absolutely catch up with it on streaming services.
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Doctor Who
- Release Date
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2005 – 2022-00-00
- Directors
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Graeme Harper, Euros Lyn, Douglas Mackinnon, Jamie Magnus Stone, Charles Palmer, Rachel Talalay, Joe Ahearne, James Strong, Jamie Childs, Saul Metzstein, Toby Haynes, Wayne Che Yip, Nick Hurran, Richard Clark, James Hawes, Daniel Nettheim, Colin Teague, Keith Boak, Azhur Saleem, Adam Smith, Andrew Gunn, Nida Manzoor, Lawrence Gough, Paul Murphy
- Writers
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Steven Moffat, Russell T. Davies
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Jodie Whittaker
The Doctor
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