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TV: David Tennant to Host Masterpiece

Dr. Who fans will be pleased to note that actor, David Tennant, also seen as a baddie in the Harry Potter movies, has been picked to host PBS’s Masterpiece Contemporary.

There is something oddly fascinating about his over-the-top portrayals. He’s sort of the contemporary William Shatner, but way cuter. I loved him as The Doctor (he was the tenth incarnation of the Time Lord) and I thought he was really ferocious in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the patricidal Barty Crouch, Jr.

Here’s what the Associated Press had to say about this new development:

“Tennant will make his debut on the long-running public TV anthology this fall, its producing station, WGBH, announced Wednesday.

The 38-year-old Scottish actor, who follows past “Masterpiece” hosts such as Alan Cumming and Laura Linney, played the title role in the long-running BBC sci-fi series “Doctor Who.” His screen credits include “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

“Masterpiece Contemporary” returns on the Public Broadcasting Service in October with “Endgame,” a drama about the final days of apartheid in South Africa starring William Hurt and Jonny Lee Miller. It premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

The “Masterpiece” series began as “Masterpiece Theatre” in 1971, and now also encompasses “Mystery!” — a public TV fixture since 1980.”

Having grown up with Masterpiece Theatre, I have only one question… What would Alastair Cooke say?