2016 is going to be a very long year for Doctor Who fans. The series is currently on an extended hiatus until the annual Christmas episode on December 25. And when Doctor Who returns for its tenth season in 2017, longtime showrunner Steven Moffat will be stepping aside at the end of the year.
But the end of Moffat’s run doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor. According to Capaldi, the BBC would like him to remain with the series even after Moffat steps down and Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall takes over in 2018.
“I’ve been asked to stay on,” revealed Capaldi in a new interview with Radio Times. “But it’s such a long time before I have to make that decision. Steven’s been absolutely wonderful, so I love working with him. Chris [Chibnall] is fantastic, and I think he’s a hugely talented guy. I don’t know where the show’s gonna go then. I don’t know. I have to make up my mind, and I haven’t yet.”
Related: Matt Smith and John Barrowman React To Steven Moffat’s Doctor Who Departure
If Capaldi returns for a fourth season of Doctor Who in 2018, he will be the longest serving Doctor of the rebooted series that began in 2005. Both David Tennant and Matt Smith stayed with Doctor Who for three full seasons, with Tennant having a slight lead on Smith’s episode count thanks to his appearance in multiple specials.
Of course, the longest tenure as the Doctor still belongs to Tom Baker, who remained with the original Doctor Who series for seven years. Capaldi hasn’t shown much interest in breaking Baker’s record, as he has indicated a desire to do other things beyond Doctor Who. But as the incumbent Doctor, Capaldi has a chance to continue his Doctor Who legacy…if he chooses to do so.
Do you want to see Capaldi remain as the Doctor past Moffat’s run? Let us know in the comment section below!
