‘Doctor Who’ Season 10: A New Doctor, Clara, And Showrunner Are All On The Horizon


Doctor Who Season 10 has so many changes in store, what can we expect? Let’s run through some the changes one at a time.

First, Season 9 of Doctor Who saw the departure of Jenna Louis Coleman as Clara Oswald. Word has it that auditions for that role for Season 10 have not even begun despite the fact, as reported by Radio Times, that filming for Season 10 is scheduled to begin in just three months. This leaves us with the possibility that the doctor may travel alone for the first few episodes of Doctor Who Season 10.

Then there is the departure of Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat. He will produce only one Dr. Who episode in 2016, a Christmas episode. His last season will air in 2017, ending with a Christmas episode at the end of the year. Then, in 2018, Chris Chibnall (creator of the award-winning BBC America TV series Broadchurch) will begin his tenure at the helm of the show.

When asked about delaying Moffat’s last season of Dr. Who, Radio Times quotes BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore as saying, “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!”

And what does current Doctor Who showrunner Moffat think of the timing?

“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.”

Another big hit to Doctor Who Season 10 is news that 57-year-old Peter Capaldi may bid adieu to his role at the end of this season, as reported by the Scotsman. Speculation is that he will do so in order to allow incoming Chibnall to choose his own Doctor Who.

An unnamed BBC source stated, “Bosses are already discussing a fresh start when Steven leaves. They’ve been happy with what Peter has brought to the role but some think it might make sense to give Chris his own choice of actor to play the Doctor. They hope he will be able to find someone who can have the same impact as Matt Smith did when Steven Moffat kicked off his run as executive producer.”

In addition to the change of guard at Doctor Who, it’s believed that Capaldi will likely depart simply to do something different and due to some physical problems. He has stated that he is “training” for Season 10, a reference to some knee problems he has experienced lately.

Doctor Who has been on the air since 1963. In that time, 826 episodes have aired. Peter Capaldi is the twelfth actor to play the title role. Among other changes to the show in Season 10 is the show’s departure from Netflix streaming. Fret not, though. Doctor Who fans will still be able to stream their favorite show, as Amazon Prime has announced that they will be adding the show to their catalog.

[Image via Twocoms/Shutterstock.com]

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