Moffat’s final series to air in Spring 2017

The BBC has confirmed Doctor Who lead writer and executive producer Steve Moffat is leaving after one more series.

Taking over the reigns as showrunner will be Broadchurch and The Great Train Robbery writer Chris Chibnall – who has previously penned six Doctor Who episodes including, Dinosaurs On A Spaceship and The Power Of Three.

Back in 2013, Inside Media Track interviewed Chris Chibnall, and we asked him about the possibility of him becoming showrunner. Read what he had to say here. It’s fair to say he’s obviously had a change of heart since then.

Multi-award-winning Steven Moffat took over from Russell T. Davies in 2010, and has helmed six series of the globally successful cult sci-fi series.

During his tenure, Moffat introduced the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith and the current Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi; as companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and iconic characters and monsters including River Song (Alex Kingston), Missy (Michelle Gomez), Rory Pond (Arthur Darvill) and the terrifying Weeping Angels. Plus, a 50th Anniversary special in 2013 which saw Doctors Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt appear together in a feature-length episode.

Steven Moffat says: “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. 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. At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of Doctor Who. And I will be thrown in a skip.”

Chris Chibnall, new Head Writer and Executive Producer, says: “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. Steven’s achieved the impossible by continually expanding Doctor Who‘s creative ambition, while growing its global popularity. 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.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, says: “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 have decided to schedule Steven’s big finale series in spring 2017 to bring the nation together for what will be a huge event on the channel. 2016 is spoilt with national moments including the Euros and Olympics and I want to hold something big back for 2017 – I promise it will be worth the wait! 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.”

Steven’s final series of Doctor Who will air on BBC One in spring 2017 and there will be a Christmas Special in 2016. Chris Chibnall’s debut series will launch in 2018.