Peter Capaldi’s Darker, More Serious Doctor Who Will Be Less Approachable, Says Steven Moffat


Whovians from around the world are anxiously awaiting the return of Doctor Who and to experience Peter Capaldi’s interpretation of the iconic Doctor when it premieres in August. However, rumors have circulated that Peter Capaldi will not necessarily portray the same goofy complex Doctor that fans have grown to love. Capaldi’s Doctor is expected to be a bit more dark and less approachable that past incarnations.

According to io9, an interview with Steven Moffat revealed some details about what can be expected of Peter Capaldi‘s Doctor.

“I think it feels more serious. One of the watchwords we have this year is there are consequences for choosing to live like this. It’s not a fairytale. If you have people back home, if you run away it’s going to have an effect on them. And it’s not necessarily always going to be lovely. And does the Doctor make you better?

We want to make it feel that these adventures can hurt…”

The darker side of Doctor Who has some fans worried about the relationship between the Doctor and Clara. Moffat also explained how the relationship will play out.

“He’s not as immediately approachable and he’s not necessarily looking for your approval. I would like to restore the sense that when he says ‘Wait here, I’ll be back’ you really hope he’ll be back, but you’re not absolutely convinced… What he’s not doing is reassuring you very much.”

“From a Doctor she could sort of control, because he had a crush on her, she’s landed with a Doctor who barely registers that she’s a girl. They’re great friends and all that but she has”

There are some fans that are worried about Peter Capaldi’s portrayal of the Doctor and how it will deviate from the norm of the series. Some of the worries include the high expectations that are placed on each new Doctor, whether he has the sex appeal to maintain a proper fan base, how controversial his character will be compared to the others, if Steven Moffat will do him justice, and whether his career will be able to move on beyond the Doctor Who curse.

Mark Juddery, of The Week, shares that he feels Capaldi is a safe choice for the new Doctor, but also reveals a hint of complexity in the choice.

“On paper, Capaldi seems like an unusually safe choice to play the titular role in the long-running series. He’s a well-respected actor, best known for playing the potty-mouthed political advisor Malcolm Tucker in the comedy ‘The Thick of It.’ He is the only ‘Doctor Who’ star so far to win an Oscar (in 1996, for writing and directing the best short film). He is also a recognizable face from — among many things — Local Hero, The Musketeers, World War Z (as a character listed as the “W.H.O. Doctor”), and Doctor Who, on which he played a different role in 2008. (Showrunner Steven Moffat promises that the Doctor’s resemblance to this guy will be explained on the show.)”

Photo Courtesy: The Week

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