Change is in store again inside the TARDIS as Steven Moffat’s tenure as the showrunner for ‘Doctor Who’ is winding to an end. The executive producer and lead writer for the series has decided that it is now time to step down and the keys to the blue box will be handed over to Chris Chibnall who is no stranger to the Time Lord’s world.
Rumors of Moffat stepping down have been circulating especially within the last year when he revealed the reason he brought River Song back for the 2016 Christmas special was because he thought there was a possibility he’d never write for the series again and this would be his swan song episode. However, that is not the case and Moffat is currently working on Season 10 with Peter Capaldi still manning the blue box.
Regarding his decision to quit, Moffat stated:
“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.”
Charlotte Moore from the BBC took time to thank Moffat for his tenure at ‘Doctor Who’:
“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 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.”
Luckily for fans, Moffat successor, Chris Chibnall, is someone who is a big fan of the Doctor and has experience working within the ‘Doctor Who’ franchise. Chibnall has written 5 episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ (“42,” “Hungry Earth,” “Cold Blood,” Dinosaurs on a Spaceship,” “Power of Three”) and co-produced the first 2 seasons of ‘Torchwood’ as well as written the scripts of some of its best episodes. And yes, like Joss Whedon and George R.R. Martin, he was not afraid to kill off his lead characters and is responsible for writing the deaths of Tosh and Owen in “Exit Wounds.” (And just like most Torchwood fans, he didn’t like Starz’ version of ‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’ either.)
Polly Hill, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning had these words about Chibnall:
“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.”
About his new venture, Chibnall remarks:
“Doctor Who is the ultimate BBC programme: 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. 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 [the next season], it’s clear he’ll be going out with a bang. Just to make my life difficult.”
Whether you loved him or hated him, the Moffat era of ‘Doctor Who’ is coming to an end. Chibnall is a great choice as a successor and it will be interesting to see the changes he makes to the show once the TARDIS keys are handed over.
What say you fellow Whovians? Glad to see Moffat go? Looking forward to Chibnall coming in? Chime in with your thoughts below.
