Peter Capaldi, who portrayed the twelfth incarnation of the iconic ‘Doctor Who’ title character, has released a statement about death and why it is such an important theme in the series.
Capaldi appeared in James Cameron’s ‘Story of Science Fiction’ on AMC to reflect on his time on ‘Doctor Who’ and the show itself.
In the sixth episode of the series, Capaldi addressed ‘Doctor Who’ and how it has been able to last because of the Time Lord regenerating and the actor changing with each reincarnation. He said:
“It has all these other levels of philosophical and reflective nature that make it very, very rich. People always ask me what is it about the show that appeals so broadly. The answer I would like to give – and which I’m discouraged from giving because it is not useful in the promotion of a brand – is that it’s about death.”
Capaldi continued, saying:
“And it has a very, very powerful death motif in it which is that the central character dies. I think that is one of its most potent mysteries because somewhere in that people see that that’s what happens in life. You have loved ones and then they go, but you must carry on.”
This statement rings true for the biggest of ‘Who’ fans, as it seems that just as we become attached to a version of The Doctor, it is time for him to go. But the true Whovians know that the next version will bring something to the table that we didn’t know we needed.
Speaking of regenerations, Jodie Whittaker returns as the thirteenth incarnation of The Doctor on BBC this year!
