'Doctor Who' Boss Steven Moffat Quits With 'Broadchurch' Creator Chris Chibnall To Replace Him, As BBC Confirm No Series To Air In 2016
'Doctor Who' Has Some MASSIVE Changes Ahead (As Well As Some Disappointing News For Fans)
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Steven Moffat has quit his role as lead writer and executive producer of 'Doctor Who', the BBC has said.
He will be replaced by 'Broadchurch' creator Chris Chibnall.
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Steven Moffat is leaving 'Doctor Who'
A 'Doctor Who' Christmas special will air later this year, while series 10, Moffat's last, is scheduled to be broadcast in 2017, with a new companion on board to replace Jenna Coleman.
Chibnall will begin his tenure as executive producer of 'Doctor Who' in 2018.
Moffat said: "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."
He added: "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."
Moffat joked: "At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of 'Doctor Who'. And I will be thrown in a skip."
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Chris Chibnall is the new boss of 'Doctor Who'
Chibnal said: "Doctor Who is the ultimate BBC programme: bold, unique, vastly entertaining, and adored all around the world.
"So it's a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama.
"I've loved 'Doctor Who' since I was four years old, and I'm relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore."
The 'Broadchurch' boss also paid tribute to Moffat.
"Steven's achieved the impossible by continually expanding Doctor Who's creative ambition, while growing its global popularity," he said.
"He's been a dazzling and daring showrunner, and hearing his plans and stories for 2017, it's clear he'll be going out with a bang. Just to make my life difficult."
Controller of BBC One Charlotte Moore said: "I want to thank Steven Moffat for everything he has given 'Doctor Who'. I've loved working with him, he is an absolute genius and has brought fans all over the world such joy.
"I will be very sad to see him leave the show, but I can't wait to see what he will deliver in his last ever series next year with a brand new companion.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Chris Chibnall, a wonderfully talented writer who I know will bring something very special to the hit series."
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There will be no series of 'Doctor Who' this year
Moffat took over 'Doctor Who' in 2010 and during his tenure, the show has grown into a global success.
He was responsible for introducing the 11th and 12th Doctors in Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi, in addition to casting Karen Gillan as companion Amy Pond and Coleman as Clara Oswald.
Moffat was also at the helm for the 50th Anniversary special in 2013 which saw fans around the globe celebrate the world's longest running sci-fi series with Doctors, Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt fighting the Daleks in a feature length episode.
Best Celebrity Appearances On 'Doctor Who'
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)