Some good news and some potentially bad news for fans ofDoctor Whotoday. The good news is thatPeter Capaldihas confirmed Season 10 of the series will debut on April 15, which is definitely exciting for Whovians out there who have impatiently been awaiting the arrival of new episodes. The Bad news?Peter Capaldialso confirmed thatDoctor Whoseason 10 is going to be his last.
The 58-year-old actor revealed the news personally during a recent appearance onBBC Radio 2. While speaking with hostJo Whiley, he confirmed thatDoctor Who Season 10was going to be his last as the Doctor, something that had been speculated previously. He expressed a lot of gratitude for the experience but just felt it was time to move on to different things. Here is what he had to say.
“The big thing about it for me is that it (the new series of Doctor Who) will be my last…I feel sad, I love Doctor Who. It’s a fantastic program to work on and it’s been a huge pleasure to work with a family. I can’t praise the people I’ve worked with more highly, but I’ve always been somebody that did a lot of different things. I’ve never done one job for three years. This is the first time I’ve done this and I feel it’s sort of time for me to move on to different challenges.”
Though he will be stepping away fromDoctor Whofollowing this run of episodes, he made it clear that he isn’t ready to give up his Sonic Screwdriver just yet, by saying “I’m still Doctor Who! We’re doing epic stuff! I’m not done yet!” The officialDoctor WhoTwitter account quickly confirmed the news, by tweeting out his quote from the BBC Radio interview. So, as exciting as it may be to hear thatDoctor Whoseason 10 is coming soon, it may be a bit bittersweet for those who enjoyPeter Capaldias the Doctor.
Long time ShowrunnerSteven Moffatwill be leavingDoctor Whoafter the upcoming season andBroadchurchshowrunnerChris Chibnallwill be taking the reigns forDoctor Who Season 11. It seems like they will be going in an entirely new direction after season 10, with a new showrunner and new Doctor. It isn’t clear yet if there will be a new companion, which would pretty much make it a totally clean slate, should that wind up happening as well. Following the announcement on BBC Radio 2, the BBC released a statement aboutPeter Capaldi’s departure on their blog. Here is whatSteven Moffathad to say about the news.
““For years before I ever imagined being involved in Doctor Who, or had ever met the man, I wanted to work with Peter Capaldi. I could not have imagined that one day we’d be standing on the Tardis together. Like Peter, I’m facing up to leaving the best job I’ll ever have, but knowing I do so in the company of the best, and kindest and cleverest of men, makes the saddest of endings a little sweeter. But hey, it’s a long way from over. Peter’s amazing, fiery, turbulent Doctor is still fighting the good fight, and his greatest adventures are yet to come. Monsters of the universe, be on your guard - Capaldi’s not done with you yet!”
Peter Capaldiis the 12th Doctor in the history of thelong-running BBC seriesand will be concluding his run after three seasons. That isn’t a bad run by any means, but it is a far cry fromTom Baker, who was the 5th Doctor and played the character in 172 episodes starting in 1975. It sounds like it was more or lessCapaldi’s decision, or at the very least a mutual decision, to leave the show, which means he is leaving on good terms.Doctor Whoseason 10, which will consist of 12 episodes, is set to premiere onBBCApril 15, so there is still afull season of adventuresahead with the 12th Doctor. There is no word yet on who will be replacing him, but there will surely be a lot of speculation in the coming weeks. We will be sure to keep you up to date as any new information becomes available.
