Peter Capaldi quits Doctor Who: ‘It’s time to move on to different challenges’

The actor described his time on the show as “extraordinary”
Calling time: Peter Capaldi played the twelfth Time Lord
BBC
Emma Powell31 January 2017

Peter Capaldi has revealed he is leaving Doctor Who.

Capaldi called time on the “extraordinary” role, and told fans he felt ‘privileged’ to have portrayed the twelfth Time Lord.

Speaking to Jo Wiley about the upcoming 10th series he announced: “This will be the end for me.

“I feel sad, I love Doctor Who, it is a fantastic programme to work on. It’s been a huge pleasure to work with that family. I can't praise the people I work with more highly, but I have always been someone that did a lot of different things.

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“I’ve never done one job for three years. This is the first time I’ve done this and I feel it’s time for me to move on to different challenges.”

Capaldi – who took over from Matt Smith – said he wanted to retire from the role before he stopped “giving it my best”.

Speaking about handing over the reins to a new actor, he said: “It’s sad but wonderful. What a privilege to have done this. It’s an extraordinary position to have been in but you have to know the time to move on.

“There will never be anything that has been more special to me.”

The new series airs in spring and Capaldi said his final episode would be shown at Christmas.

The upcoming series will also mark showrunner Steven Moffat’s last at the helm.

The Sherlock director will be replaced by Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall in 2018.

Speaking about Capaldi, Moffat said in a BBC announcement: “Peter's amazing, fiery, turbulent Doctor is still fighting the good fight, and his greatest adventures are yet to come. Monsters of the universe, be on your guard - Capaldi's not done with you yet!

“Like Peter, I'm facing up to leaving the best job I'll ever have, but knowing I do so in the company of the best, and kindest and cleverest of men, makes the saddest of endings a little sweeter.”

Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content, said: “He has been a tremendous Doctor who has brought his own unique wisdom and charisma to the role.”

The Doctor will be joined by new companion Pearl Mackie in the upcoming series, which also features guest appearances from Matt Lucas, Michelle Gomez and David Suchet.

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