'Doctor Who' Star Peter Capaldi Dismisses Steven Moffat 'Misogynist' Claims

They're both leaving at the end of the current series.

Reigning Time Lord Peter Capaldi has leapt to the defence of ‘Doctor Who’ showrunner Steven Moffat, amid the suggestion from certain quarters of the fan community that he’s a “misogynist”.

Throughout his tenure as executive producer, Steven has been a divisive figure among fans of the BBC sci-fi drama, particularly as a study in 2014 found that since he took over, female characters had fewer speaking roles.

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Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat
Mike Marsland via Getty Images

Addressing these claims, Peter told SFX he “didn’t understand” the furore, explaining: “I think we’ve done great stuff. I think Steven’s fabulous.

“I don’t know why people have a go at him, why they call him a misogynist. I don’t understand that at all. I think he’s a brilliant writer.”

Steven himself dismissed the suggestion in a 2015 interview with Radio Times, insisting he was “certain” he was “to the left of a lot of his detractors”.

The 10th series of ‘Doctor Who’ kicks off on BBC One later in the month, which will be Peter’s last in the role of the Doctor, as well as Steven’s final outing as executive producer.

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Peter with new co-stars Pearl Mackie and Matt Lucas
BBC

It will also introduce the Time Lord’s latest companion, Bill, who it was revealed last week would be the first openly gay assistant in the show’s history.

However, it seems viewers shouldn’t get too used to her, following reports earlier this week that she too would be written out at the end of the current series.

Speaking out about these rumours, a BBC spokesperson told The Huffington Post UK: “We never reveal the fate of individual characters on the show; viewers will have to tune in to find out.

“We are still filming Series 10 and no casting decisions have yet been made on Series 11.”

‘Doctor Who’ returns to BBC One on Saturday 15 June. 

'Doctor Who' Celebrity Appearances
Anne Robinson(01 of11)
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Anne voiced a robot version of herself, the hillarious Anne Droid, in the episode 'Bad Wolf'. The Anne Droid fronts a dystopian version of 'The Weakest Link', who obliterates contestants with a laser, rather than the 21st century Anne's acidic putdowns.The episode also saw Davina McCall playing a Davinadroid, who hosted a futuristic version of 'Big Brother' (we suppose that would be an Emmadroid now...). (credit:BBC)
Peter Kay(02 of11)
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Beneath those alarming prosthetics sits Peter Kay, who went all out for his appearance in the episode 'Love & Monsters'.The Northern comedian played The Abzorbaloff, who masqueraded as a human being, in an episode in which The Doctor and his companion featured only briefly.We suppose if you'd splashed out on that costume you'd want it to be seen as much as possible... (credit:BBC)
Kylie Minogue(03 of11)
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Kylie played Astrid Peth, companion to David Tennant's Doctor in the 2007 Christmas special, 'Voyage Of The Damned'.She received a mixed reception for the part, which was created especially for her by producer Russell T Davies, with most of the action taking place on a re-imagined futuristic Titanic.Good boots, too. (credit:WENN)
David Walliams(04 of11)
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Another British comedian who underwent quite the makeover for his 'Who' role.David played the Gibbis in the episode 'The God Complex', a rodent-like alien who encounters Matt Smith's Doctor when he crash-lands in what appears to be an 80s hotel.And you thought 'The Shining' was weird... (credit:BBC)
Suranne Jones(05 of11)
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Suranne had the honour of playing a new incarnation of a 'Doctor Who' staple in 2011, when she took on the role of a humanoid version of the TARDIS.In 'The Doctor's Wife', Surrane plays Idris, a human who takes on the personality of the TARDIS, with Michael Sheen also making a voice appearance in the episode. (credit:BBC)
James Corden(06 of11)
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James played The Doctor's temporary housemate, Craig Owens, in the episode 'The Lodger', which sees The Doctor stranded on Earth, and forced to fit in with everyday humans.He reprised the role in the following series, during which he's married to Sophie (Daisy Haggard), who Matt Smith's Doctor helped him get together with, and they have a baby son. (credit:BBC)
Olivia Colman(07 of11)
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Olivia's 'Doctor Who' role was a fairly ordinary one... oh, unless you count those terrifying gnashers, that is. (credit:BBC)
Keeley Hawes(08 of11)
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Like several guest stars before her, Keeley's appearance in the last series of 'Doctor Who' was only meant to be a one-off stint.However, her appearance as the villainous Ms Delphox was so well-received by Whovians that they can look forward to her reprising the role in the latest series. (credit:BBC)
Derek Acorah(09 of11)
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In a rare moment of self-awareness from Derek Acorah, he appeared in a brief cameo role during the episode 'Army Of Ghosts', joking that he'd no longer be of use once ghosts began to roam the earth.It was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance on a TV screen, but we enjoyed it nontheless. (credit:BBC)
Catherine Tate(10 of11)
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Viewers were so taken with Catherine Tate's portrayal of Donna Noble that she eventually wound up as the Doctor's companion, and went on to become one of the most popular characters of the modern era of 'Doctor Who'. (credit:BBC)
Peter Capaldi(11 of11)
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Does he look a bit familiar to you?Long before he was cast as the Twelfth Doctor himself, Peter Capaldi made an appearance during David Tennant's time as Time Lord, playing Caecillius in an episode set in ancient Pompeii. (credit:BBC)