Doctor Who has seen a number of actors take on the role since the series began in 1963. In fact, the show has had 12 different men play the alien time lord across the decades. And, with current showrunner Steven Moffat set to leave the series after Season 10, fans are already wondering if that will mean that current star Peter Capaldi will be leaving the Doctor to regenerate yet again. Well, Capaldi has some thoughts on that subject.
I’ve been asked to stay on, but it’s such a long time before I have to make that decision. Steven’s been absolutely wonderful, so I love working with him. Chris is fantastic, and I think he’s a hugely talented guy. I don’t know where the show’s gonna go then. I don’t know. I have to make up my mind, and I haven’t yet. As Steven will tell you, it’s very difficult to say goodbye.
Peter Capaldi spoke with RadioTimes and told them that his decision about whether or not to keep exploring in Doctor Who’s TARDIS is still up in the air.
If you’re wondering about how Peter Capaldi mentions that “it’s such a long time” until he’ll have to make that decision, he’s referring to the fact that there will be no regular season of Doctor Who this year. Instead, there will be a Christmas special (as usual) and the tenth season will then air sometime in 2017. This means we’ll all be waiting a long time, possibly until after Season 10 is done airing, to see if Capaldi will keep going in the role without Steven Moffat behind the Doctor Who wheel.
If Peter Capaldi does decide to leave the show after the 2017 run of Season 10, he will likely not hurt for new acting gigs. The man who’s helped to bring the 12th Doctor to life had a pretty cushy career already before he was even considered for the role. The Scottish actor has over 100 credits to his name, which include critically acclaimed shows such as Prime Suspect 3, Neverwhere, Skins, Torchwood, Getting On, The Thick of It, The Hour and The Musketeers. He’s been nominated for 28 awards over his career, winning 13, including a 1995 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
The real question, if Peter Capaldi leaves the show, is who might take over as the new Doctor. The part has, in the past, been filled by a string of television, film and stage greats, but the actors have, for the most part, not been huge stars when taking over the part. Actor Tim Roth recently threw his hat into the Doctor Who ring, saying in a Reddit AMA that he’s up for the time lord challenge if the show would have him. And, of course, fans will always have ideas of who could make the perfect Doctor. Every one from Idris Elba to Helen Mirren has been bandied about as fan favorites for Capaldi’s replacement.
Well, Whovians, we’ve got to wait a while for this one to be decided. But, isn’t it good to know that no matter what happens with Peter Capaldi’s decision, Doctor Who will still be around, even if he (or she) does look totally different?
