No New Doctor Who In 2016 As Boss Steven Moffat Quits
[Photo: WENN]
Doctor Who fans have been dealt a double blow as the BBC has announced it will push back the next series to 2017 following show boss Steven Moffat’s decision to quit the hit drama.
Moffat took the reins of the TARDIS from Russell T. Davies in 2010 and ushered in a new era for Doctor Who with Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor. He is currently the visionary behind Peter Capaldi’s adventures as the Twelfth Doctor.
Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall has already been announced as Moffat’s successor, taking over the show in 2018.
Steven said, “Feels odd to be talking about leaving when I’m just starting work on the scripts for season 10, but the fact is my timey-wimey is running out.
“While Chris is doing his last run of Broadchurch, I’ll be finishing up on the best job in the universe and keeping the TARDIS warm for him. It took a lot of gin and tonic to talk him into this, but I am beyond delighted that one of the true stars of British Television drama will be taking the Time Lord even further into the future. At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of Doctor Who. And I will be thrown in a skip.”
BBC One boss Charlotte Moore confirmed that the next series of Doctor Who, originally scheduled to air this year, will now air in the spring of 2017.
Viewers can still look forward to a Christmas special in December, however.
Chris Chibnall and the Broadchurch cast [Photo: WENN]
Charlotte said, “I have decided to schedule Steven’s big finale series in spring 2017 to bring the nation together for what will be a huge event on the channel. 2016 is spoilt with national moments including the Euros and Olympics and I want to hold something big back for 2017 - I promise it will be worth the wait!”
New boss Chris Chibnall, who has worked with Tenth Doctor David Tennant on hit crime drama Broadchurch, added: “I’ve loved Doctor Who since I was four years old, and I’m relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore.”