'Doctor Who' star: 'Eve criticism is ridiculous'

Doctor Who star Matt Smith has dismissed Trevor Eve's recent criticism of the series.

Last year, Waking the Dead actor Eve criticised the BBC for giving the sci-fi drama "all the budget and all the attention".

"If we all listen to Trevor Eve, then we're in trouble," Smith told The Telegraph. "Doctor Who is brilliant. That's why it attracts some of the best writers in the country, and some of the best actors."

He also praised Who for its "inventive" nature and branded Eve's criticisms "ridiculous".

"Show me any other series that can tackle this many big issues, appeal to this broad a range of people, and still have a laugh along the way," he argued.

Smith added that his own involvement with the show feels like "a privilege" and praised current showrunner Steven Moffat.

"This whole show is testament to Steven... and his ambition and his scope," he said. "That's a privilege to be part of. It's as simple as that."

The new series of Doctor Who premieres this Saturday on BBC One in the UK and BBC America in the US.

Watch the stars of Doctor Who discuss the series premiere below: