Site Menu

January 30th, 2017 164 comments

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Peter Capaldi to Leave Doctor Who Christmas 2017

Peter Capaldi reveals to Jo Whiley that the new series of Doctor Who will be his last.


Adverts/Affiliates

164 comments

  • geraint

    January 31st, 2017 - 3:59pm

    Thank goodness for that….Peter was great but the powers that be just couldn’t pull off having an older actor in the role this time around. I don’t know where they went wrong but they didn’t do their best with such a fine actor. The Doctor was always the older gent, but Moffat and the like couldn’t get this right and so focused on Clara instead.
    I’d love to see Rory Kinnear in the role, just don’t screw it up and writers to write for the Doctor….Not his companions!

    Reply
  • the ergon

    January 31st, 2017 - 2:54pm

    The bookies have got ben whishaw as a suitable replacement, other names bandied about are richard ayoade from the it crowd,rory kinnear and olivia coleman.But i remember these names cropping up before capaldi was announced. I read somewhere they were looking for another hero type like david tennant or matt smith and young girl companion, i,m assuming to revitalise flagging merchandise sales. Personally i hope they plump for a complete unknown, no doubt with the obligatory announcement live show as fronted by zoe ball or jo whiley and guests

    Reply
  • Sherlock Holmes

    January 31st, 2017 - 2:49pm

    That’s weird. This is almost exactly what happened in a dream I had last night. The only thing that needs to happen now is for Sophie Turner to be cast as the new doctor. She’s the only actress (apart from Tilda Swinton) I wouldn’t mind playing the doctor.

    Reply
    • Mycroft Holmes

      January 31st, 2017 - 10:07pm

      No one cares about your dreams, brother mine. Now go home, you’re drunk.

  • Arendelle

    January 31st, 2017 - 2:17pm

    Well seeing as how the Master regenerated into a woman and now calls herself Missy, what are peoples thoughts of the Doctor regenerating into a woman?

    Reply
    • martin kelly

      January 31st, 2017 - 2:22pm

      NO the doctor has always been a man. that,s like saying TARZAN can be a woman. i love women but not as the doctor.

    • doctor who fan 11

      January 31st, 2017 - 3:36pm

      no he shouldn’t I’m fine with missy but the doctor shouldn’t. from missys mouth “he cant get the upgrade”

    • Kingoftheshadowkin

      January 31st, 2017 - 4:12pm

      We need a Black Woman Doctor.

    • Gordon Ramsay

      January 31st, 2017 - 4:39pm

      And she should also be lesbian

    • Arendelle

      January 31st, 2017 - 6:51pm

      Martin Kelly and doctor who fan 11 I completely agree with you. But if you’ve heard, Billie Piper has said she thinks it’s time for a female Doctor. She has told the BBC “I’ve always supported the original format but I don’t know where they can go from here”. That is coming from a former cast member of the show.

      I have a feeling I’m going to get trolled for this, but there is only ONE female I would ever accept as the role of the Doctor, and that would be Jenna Colman.

      I know a lot of fans have expressed their opinions about Clara overshadowing the Doctor, but the episodes where she has been centre stage (especially flatline) just goes to prove that she could pull it off. But with all that being said, the Doctor has always been played by a white British male.

      Peter Capaldi had huge potential, but like most people have said, which its true, Moffat has run the series into the ground almost. The only good things he ever did for the show, was create the Weeping Angels and River Song/Melody Pond.

    • The Outcast

      February 1st, 2017 - 7:46am

      I fine with the Doctor changing Gender or Skin colour as long as its not just done for PC reasons or as a publicity stunt.

      I also think that for this to work we need to lose all the pointless Doctor/Companion romance plots. I’ve always thought the Doctor should be A-sexual to us, because we’re human and he/she is a time-lord, in order to make it less awkward when he/she does change gender. Not saying there’s any thing wrong with Male/Male or Female/Female relationships its just… one moment the companion is happily loving the Doctor of their preferred gender and then… gender change!

      So yeah… No romance.

    • The Outcast

      February 1st, 2017 - 7:53am

      Well, I did write a fair bit on this but it was deleted by the Internet or something. Basically I’m fine with Gender and Race.

    • The Outcast

      February 1st, 2017 - 10:16am

      Oh, it appeared. Just ignore my previous comment then. 😛

  • Martin W

    January 31st, 2017 - 12:49pm

    I loved Peter’s Doctor, but do not think the stories did him justice. So looking forward to his Big Finish audio stories (please Peter), he’ll be brilliant!

    Reply
    • The Outcast

      January 31st, 2017 - 1:10pm

      As am I. Hopefully they fix all the problems of his era, such as being over shadowed by Clara.

  • Anonymous

    January 31st, 2017 - 12:03pm

    Whilst I have never warmed to Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, I’m starting to get increasingly annoyed at this 3 year or so “Hi & Goodbye” turnstile Doctor effect. It would be nice to actually have a Doctor who (sic) decided to stay for a 5 year period or more.

    Reply
  • Simon W

    January 31st, 2017 - 11:34am

    I know it’s sad new that Peter is leaving the show but if u think about it every Doctor from David has been the Doctor for 3 years,
    David S2-S4
    Matt S5-7
    Peter S8-10.
    ——– S11-??.

    So 3 years it the limit now.
    Lets how the next Doctor is going to breath a lot of new life into the roll.

    Reply
    • The Moffat Paradox

      January 31st, 2017 - 11:53am

      And for each incarnation its centuries that have passed between the regenerations.

    • Anonymous

      January 31st, 2017 - 1:30pm

      Well really it’s close to 4 years, David 2005-2010 with series 2, 3, 4 and specials, Matt 2010-2013 with series 5, series 6, series 7 and the specials and then Peter 2013-2017 with series 8, series 9, and 10

    • The Werewolf

      February 1st, 2017 - 6:44pm

      Tennant, Smith and Capaldi all did 3 series in 4 years. That is the pattern. Shame Capaldi had to leave though

  • DoctorFan

    January 31st, 2017 - 10:40am

    nooooooo don’t go!!!!
    hopefully big finish can get him to do some audio stories so he wont be gone forever

    Reply
  • Gary

    January 31st, 2017 - 10:33am

    Sad news about peter going just when I was just getting use to him, he didn’t get much of a chance really too long between series, the gaps between david tennant and matt smiths series were not as long we got to know and love their doctors much quicker, peter capaldi was quoted as saying he was keen on the way the bbc was messing around with the time schedule of the show I agree, you never what time it would be on, I’m 52 and. been a fan all my life my 9 year old son is a massive fan too, matt smith was our favourite DOCTOR ,come on bbc bring him back or give us someone who appeals to the young viewers for they are the future ,don’t take a great show for granted.

    Reply
    • Gary

      January 31st, 2017 - 10:43am

      Sorry meant peter was not keen with scheduling of show

    • The Outcast

      January 31st, 2017 - 1:11pm

      I hope they don’t bring Matt back, his time as the current Doctor has passed. That being said, I hope he does come back an do some Big Finish audio adventures. 🙂

  • Arby

    January 31st, 2017 - 10:14am

    It took a while for him to grow on me. Hated the sunglasses sonic and guitar playing, felt more the Capaldi show than The Doctor at times. But he was a good Doctor overall, with the grumpy and funny moments.

    I would love Guy Henry to be the new Doctor going forward.

    Reply
  • Tim M

    January 31st, 2017 - 9:58am

    Whilst Peter Capaldi has not been a bad Doctor, he is my least favourite since the shows return in 2005. It makes sense we have a new Doctor with a new showrunner. Capaldi is a fantastic actor, but he wouldn’t have been my obvious choice.

    Reply
  • The Living Shadow

    January 31st, 2017 - 9:44am

    Very disappointed. I loved 12’s era, no matter what people said throughout it.

    It annoys me how right from the start and throughout his era, all I’ve seen on Facebook are articles like “Who will play the next Doctor” even way before Capaldi was even rumoured to be leaving, or people complaining about the show, or people saying he’s too old.
    I feel like a lot (maybe not quite a majority, but certainly a lot) of fans didn’t even really give him a chance.

    I’m glad that since this announcement, I’ve finally been seeing some positive comments about Capaldi’a time as the Doctor though.

    Reply
  • Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Wimey

    January 31st, 2017 - 9:15am

    Contrary to most people on this list, I was very glad to see this. I think 3 seasons is a perfect amount for a doctor. Nothing against Peter Capaldi, I thought he was a great doctor, but I am definitely ready for a new one. I hope Chris Chibnall will choose wisely who will replace him, and I am also rooting for a new TARDIS interior, theme music and titles.

    Also, if Chibnall can keep the doctor male, then I will be happy.

    Reply
    • The Outcast

      January 31st, 2017 - 9:38am

      I agree about the TARDIS interior bit. We need another one. I love TARDIS interiors, so this is long over due.

    • Exterminator

      January 31st, 2017 - 12:36pm

      Me too, I hate the ‘merry-go-round’ thing above the console. They need to bin that.

    • The Outcast

      January 31st, 2017 - 1:18pm

      I think the spinny-thing will probably be one of the things that the Toyota interior will be remembered for. I really hope they go for a different style of control room, maybe a more Magical styled one?

    • Arendelle

      January 31st, 2017 - 2:15pm

      The Outcast, dont u mean the Tardis interior?

  • fiona ting

    January 31st, 2017 - 8:39am

    It is very sad that he leave this year xmas and I enjoy watching he Doctor who series 8 and 9 also 10 which willbe on spring and another person whotook his place also very good when they annouce very soon

    Reply
  • WFK DVD Collector 17

    January 31st, 2017 - 7:55am

    Gutted. He was never given a proper chance due to horrible writing for nearly every story he was in. I and many other fans knew he would have been fantastic if he had been allowed to develop his incarnation of the Doctor, but he was always held back. Big Finish, its in your hands now. (Well, when you get the rights anyway)

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    January 31st, 2017 - 7:45am

    Noooooooooo

    Reply
  • Exterminator

    January 31st, 2017 - 7:33am

    What a shame, I think he’s been brilliant. I’m looking forward to series 10 even more now especially the Christmas special.

    I loved hearing Peter Capaldi talking about the band James on the radio, they’re one of my favourite groups.

    Reply
  • Pats86

    January 31st, 2017 - 7:14am

    Shame, great Doctor. Unfortunately he had many poor stories penned by Moffat. It would have been good to see him written by someone else and be the focus of the show rather than the awful Clara.
    Series 10 does not fill me with confidence, not with Moffat at the helm, the damage done by him may be irreversible the fan fan base has split with many ideas from Moffat, Clara never dying, gender change, exceptionally bad xmas stories as well as Hell Bent, the worst episode EVER.
    When messing /changing the cannon of the show the fans should be taken into consideration surely? But no Moffat decided to break the fan base on such issues, the worst part is he didn’t have to do such a things, to me it was done out of spite and it is disgraceful he was allowed to do so.
    Anyway I wish Capaldi all the best in the future, he is a brilliant Doctor and it’s a shame he isn’t getting the chance to show just how more brilliant he could have been with a different show runner.

    Reply
    • The Outcast

      January 31st, 2017 - 8:14am

      I was hoping he would stay for half of series 11 so that we could have an unexpected regeneration half way though. Well atleast when Big Finish get hold of 12 we can hope that:

      A) Recon most of Hell bent (e.g The Doctor breaking all his rules to save Clara (why not save Adric too?), The Hybrid being the reason the Doctor left Gallifrey, The universe being fine with Clara having infinite time before death, etc, etc)

      B) Fix the ‘Name of the Doctor’ ending so that Clara isn’t the one who choose the TARDIS for the Doctor (The Doctor chose the TARDIS out of desperation because it was the only unlocked one).

      C) Fix the Character of the Doctor and Clara to make them more consistent.

      PS: Also hope they recon 10.2. If that regeneration stuff in WF doesn’t count, that shouldn’t too. Why should we waste another regeneration on 10?

  • JA

    January 31st, 2017 - 6:11am

    Does this mean another total revamp for Series 11, like they did for Series 5? New Doctor / Headwriter, possibly New Companion / TARDIS Interior / Sonic Screwdriver / Titles and Theme Music. A fresh start?

    If so, I wouldn’t be opposed, because Davies and Moffat’s tenure looked so different to each other, so I’d like Chibnall to follow the trend with a third ‘phase’ of Doctor Who, so to speak

    Reply
  • The Outcast

    January 31st, 2017 - 2:03am

    Shame. I was sorta hoping Peter would break the ‘ONLY DO 3 YEARS’ rule and do 4 years. It would have been awesome to see him under a new show runner. Something I was personally hoping was that they wouldn’t announce Peter leaving until his regeneration in show. Would have been an amazing secret to keep. Oh well, let the pointless new Doctor speculation begin.

    Reply
  • The Moffat Paradox

    January 31st, 2017 - 12:24am

    Not altogether surprising but was hoping he might go on till 2018 and I had read, whether or not true, that what he was being paid when it came to contract renewal may have had a bearing on his decision as well.

    So as Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart in the classic series would say: “Here we go again.”

    My only personal red lines for continuing to watch is that the regeneration does not change gender and if they where to go for a black Doctor they choose someone who is rated like Idris Elba.

    Reply
    • Pats86

      January 31st, 2017 - 6:49am

      My red lines are the same as yours The Moffat Paradox, it’s a shame he is leaving.

  • The Dalek’s Advocate

    January 31st, 2017 - 12:14am

    Shame. I really wished we’d have a chance of seeing the Twelfth Doctor under another showrunner. Fingers crossed that Bill at least will stay…

    Reply
    • The Outcast

      January 31st, 2017 - 1:58am

      I actually hope Bill doesn’t stay. Nothing against Bill, Its just the last 2 companions have stayed on for 2 years and I feel it would be refreshing to have a companion stay for one year only.

    • The Daleks’ Advocate

      January 31st, 2017 - 12:11pm

      I see your point but she could stay 3 years. 😉 Although what I’d really like is a non-integer number of seasons, like 1 and a half or 2 and a half, and with an overlap with the next companion(s). They did that in Classic Who and it helped give a sense of continuity even as the show was evolving.

  • TORCHWOODFAN1

    January 30th, 2017 - 11:01pm

    No.

    Reply
  • Darren

    January 30th, 2017 - 10:57pm

    I was hoping for more story lines regarding “good guy or bad guy” theme.
    I enjoyed him as well, not sure how will be next..

    Reply
  • Button

    January 30th, 2017 - 10:54pm

    It kind of makes sense, given that subsequent series will be done by a new show runner a new doctor would be the obvious choice.
    But that aside I will say this, Capaldi has done a great job as the doctor. Just like all others and the late John Hurt he has made his mark on the series and the community. However in my opinion his character felt a little wasted, in the first two series of his run he felt more like a side character as clara took the stage. He didn’t resolve the problems that other incarnations did which just felt so out of character.
    But what he did right was bring a grumpy old demenor to the character of the doctor and the distinct Scottish flare was a welcome addition. Capaldi want like matt smith for me, he was good throughout and I hope his exit is as epic and memorable as the eleventh doctors.

    Reply
    • Pats86

      January 31st, 2017 - 6:54am

      Button you are bang on about Capaldi being wasted under Moffat, he certainly became a secondary character to Clara to the point of many really hating her. But that’s Moffats poor show running.

  • Koquillian

    January 30th, 2017 - 10:43pm

    Thank God. Through no fault of his own it has been a terrible era comparable with toms last series or Colin’s era. In fact I’d say it is the worst era in the shows history so far, but one can hope series 10 is actually good.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      January 30th, 2017 - 11:10pm

      Couldn’t disagree more. His first series was good but not special. However, his second series was the best series (barring 1 episode), Ive seen since 1978.

      It’s all about opinion.

    • TORCHWOODFAN1

      January 30th, 2017 - 11:25pm

      I pretty much agree with anonymous,though I love series 1-4 loads as well

  • Dalekparadigm2

    January 30th, 2017 - 10:39pm

    Very disappointing. I don’t reckon it is his own decision… BBC wanted a “fresh slate” if I recall.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      January 31st, 2017 - 12:14am

      No they did not, and frankly him leaving is only going to give certain newspapers even more click bait power because fans will continue to demand “They were right”.

  • 47

    January 30th, 2017 - 10:39pm

    I have genuinely liked Peter Capaldi as The Doctor – Just a shame he has been saddled with some dreadful stories, and those which have been blighted with awful comedy and buffoonery that was best left in the previous era…..
    Still, last season, I thought the Davros, Zygon and the base thing with the Fisher King, stories were 3 of the best.
    I have always preferred Capaldi when he has had to deal with weight and gravitas.
    So, look forward to the next series, and hopefully and then hopefully a good regeneration episode – how about exterminated by The Daleks ?
    I would love to see Ben Whishaw as the next Doctor !!
    Thanks for a good job, Peter Capaldi !!

    Reply
  • TheTorchwoodTowers

    January 30th, 2017 - 10:33pm

    Well this has ruined my day. Such a shame that he’s leaving, he was a fantastic Doctor .

    Reply
  • The Temporal Jelly Baby

    January 30th, 2017 - 10:29pm

    I don’t think I’ve ever clicked on a link so quickly. :/

    Oh well.

    “Everything ends and it’s always sad. But everything begins again too and that’s…always happy. Be happy.” – The Doctor, 2016

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

By clicking submit you agree to our terms and conditions (below), we reserve the right to edit or delete inappropriate messages.

Comment rules

The Doctor Who site welcomes constuctive comments related to the news article in question. Links posted in comments may not be displayed. We reserve the right to delete or edit any post entirely at our discretion. If you leave unacceptable comments your IP address will be banned and reported

Click here to read full comments terms and conditions

Twitter

Facebook