chris-chibnall-new-showrunner

Chris Chibnall (‘Torchwood’) is taking the reigns of the BBC’s juggernaut ‘Doctor Who’ following the departure of Steven Moffat who is handing in his final season later this year.  Departing with Moffat, will be the current 12th Doctor, Peter Capaldi and (according to reports) Bill, the new Companion who hasn’t even appeared yet. In essence, Chibnall will be starting with a blank slate, upon which to build an all new ‘Doctor Who’ from scratch.

According to insiders, Chibnall will have the final say on casting the new Doctor, although he will be working closely with BBC director of content Charlotte Moore and head of drama Piers Wenger. Reportedly, the BBC was unhappy with merchandise sales since Capaldi assumed the role of the Doctor.  Ratings of the show are also down from previous seasons.  As a result, they are said to be looking for a younger, more attractive Doctor with an equally attractive female companion for romantic tension– something that has apparently been missing with the nearly 60 year-old Capaldi in the role.

Despite this, Moore expressed: 

“He has been a tremendous Doctor who has brought his own unique wisdom and charisma to the role.”

Olivia-Colman-BroadchurchThe new casting will commence in the fall, with Capaldi departing the series in this year’s Christmas Special.  According to Chibnall himself, he “hadn’t started yet” on working on ‘Who’ as he is busy wrapping up his work on ‘Broadchurch’ which happens to star the 10th Doctor, David Tennant.  But it’s another ‘Broadchurch’ cast member that Whovians are concentrating on, Olivia Colman.  

You see, since the new ‘Doctor’ has yet to be cast, many fans are hoping for a brand new approach, specifically either a person of color in the iconic role or a woman.  And considering Colman already has a successful working relationship with Chibnall, many think she is the perfect choice.

For the time being, Chibnall is busy editing the eight-part latest season of ‘Broadchurch’ which happens to deal with a violent rape.  And before he tackles ‘Who’, Chibnall plans to take a brief rest to recuperate.

But while he will be taking over ‘Doctor Who’, he is said to be remaining hands-off for the time being, to allow Moffat and Capaldi freedom to craft the final season they want.

As for Moffat, he had nothing but praise for his Doctor, Capaldi:

“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!”

Who would you like to see take over the role?  Olivia Colman?  Another woman?  A man of color?  Or another Caucasian male?  A known commodity or an unknown?

Source: Radio Times