Today , Matt Smith is substantially known for his part as the Eleventh Doctor onDoctor Whoand as Prince Philip onThe Crown . But the 36 - class - former actor ’s career could have gone in a much dissimilar direction . AsEsquirereports , Smith descend very close to playing the role of bespectacled , briefcase - carrying high schooler Will McKenzie inThe Inbetweeners , Damon Beesley and Iain Morris ’s raucous coming - of - old age comedy series that spawned two hit motion-picture show and one black MTV remaking .
On January 1 , the cast and God Almighty came together forFwends Reunited , a reunification show that aired on England ’s Channel 4 . Among the many behind - the - view revelations made was that Simon Bird — the Will McKenzie sports fan know , love life , and on a regular basis cringe at — nonplus out Smith for the role .
Though the fact was a surprise to many viewer , some of whom learn to Twitter to sound their daze , the upchuck decisiveness was something that Morris first talk about nearly 10 years ago .
In 2009 — the same year Smith was announced asDavid Tennant ’s replacement onDoctor Who — MorristoldDigital Spyabout the difficulty they had cast the role of Will . “ We auditioned literally 1000 mass — including Matt Smith , who is the new medico . And I ’m trusted Dominic Cooper at one point too , ” Morris said . “ [ Smith ] was superb — down to the last two for Will , I retrieve . I think he was a act too natty ! That ’s why he ’ll be vivid inDoctor Who ; he ’s get something sort of larger-than-life about him . ”
If you ’re going to be refuse for a persona , being “ a bit too dashing ” is one way to soften the nose candy . The Inbetweenerswasn’t the only hit show Smith issue forth close to appear in : A week before he read for the role of The Doctor , Smith try out to toy Dr. John Watson inSherlock . ( In that case , it came down to having the correct chemistry with starBenedict Cumberbatch , and Martin Freeman had him beat . )
Smith , who is presently filmingStar state of war : Episode IX , will next be ascertain play renowned lensman Robert Mapplethorpe in Ondi Timoner’sMapplethorpe , and as Charles Manson in Mary Harron’sCharlie aver .
