‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner Steven Moffat to Exit After Season 10
“Doctor Who” showrunner Steven Moffat will exit the series after the conclusion of its tenth season, it was announced Friday.
News of Moffat’s exit was first revealed by the UK’s Radio Times magazine, and was later confirmed by the official “Doctor Who” Twitter account:
Steven Moffat will step down as Head Writer & Exec Producer after S10… Chris Chibnall to take over! pic.twitter.com/iMhNoEAegy
— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) January 22, 2016
“Broadchurch” writer and self-proclaimed “Doctor Who” fan Chris Chibnall will replace Moffat.
“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,” Moffat said in a statement. “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.”
“‘Doctor Who’ is the ultimate BBC program: bold, unique, vastly entertaining, and adored all around the world. So it’s a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama,” said Chibnall. “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. Steven’s achieved the impossible by continually expanding ‘Doctor Who’s’ creative ambition, while growing its global popularity. He’s been a dazzling and daring showrunner, and hearing his plans and stories for 2017, it’s clear he’ll be going out with a bang. Just to make my life difficult.”
Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One says: “I want to thank Steven Moffat for everything he has given ‘Doctor Who’ – I’ve loved working with him, he is an absolute genius and has brought fans all over the world such joy. I will be very sad to see him leave the show but I can’t wait to see what he will deliver in his last ever series next year with a brand new companion. 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! I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Chris Chibnall, a wonderfully talented writer who I know will bring something very special to the hit series.”
Added Polly Hill, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning: “Like Charlotte I would like to thank Steven for his brilliance, which has made ‘Doctor Who’ a global hit under his tenure. Chris Chibnall is the perfect successor to take over the reins of this incredible show, so I am delighted that his love for ‘Doctor Who’ has made it impossible for him to resist! Chris is an incredible writer and his vision and passion for Doctor Who gives it an exciting future and promises to be a real treat for ‘Doctor Who’ fans across the world.”
Season 10 of “Doctor Who,” comprised of 12 episodes, is scheduled to air in the UK in Spring 2017, with Chibnall’s season set to debut in 2018. No US airdate has been set, but in recent years the Stateside schedule has been brought into alignment with the UK airings. Moffat will still be on hand to oversee the 2016 “Doctor Who” Christmas special, per the Radio Times, although it has yet to be determined whether the Doctor’s new companion will be a part of the episode.