Steven Moffat Stepping Down as Showrunner for Doctor Who, Chris Chibnall to Replace Him
By Leah Tedesco
This just in: Series Nine of Doctor Who will be Steven Moffat’s last as showrunner. In 2018, Chris Chibnall will take his place.
Wow! This is some of the biggest Doctor Who news that we have seen come down the pike in quite some time. When we recently reported that Steven Moffat was searching for a new showrunner to replace him, we never dreamed that it would happen so very soon. According to an article by Radio Times:
"Steven Moffat has decided that his “timey wimey” as showrunner of Doctor Who has come to an end and he will step down as the show’s lead writer and executive producer after six series at the helm, RadioTimes.com can reveal.Moffatt will hand over the keys to the TARDIS at the end of the next series in 2017 to Broadchurch writer and Doctor Who fan Chris Chibnall.BBC1 has decided to air Moffat’s final 12-part series – the 10th of the modern era – in spring 2017. Chibnall’s debut series as head writer and executive producer will launch in 2018.More from Doctor WhoNcuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who Christmas special is a “complete reinvention”Ncuti Gatwa is “so nervous” to take on Doctor Who roleThe Doctor and Donna are better than ever in “Wild Blue Yonder”Take the Black: House of the Dragon season 2 trailer hints, the Fallout show, and moreJodie Whittaker didn’t pick up on any of the hate for her version of the DoctorA Christmas special WILL air this year overseen by Moffat, though it is unclear whether Peter Capaldi’s new companion will feature. The companion, who will replace Jenna Coleman’s Clara Oswald, will definitely be in place for the spring 2017 series, say BBC sources."
As showrunner of Doctor Who, Moffat has had his ups and downs. He particularly had difficulty with female characters and figuring out what to do with the Twelfth Doctor. Most everything fell into place during Series Nine, though. If he keeps up that level of quality, he should be bowing out on top. It is unclear whether or not he intends to stay on as a writer for the show. In either case, it will be great for him to have more time to devote to working on Sherlock.
Of Chris Chibnall, Radio Times had this to say:
"Like Moffat, Chibnall is also a lifelong Doctor Who fan and a multi-award winning writer and executive producer. He has most recently achieved success with the triple BAFTA winning hit ITV series Broadchurch. His other credits include BAFTA nominated The Great Train Robbery, United, Law & Order: UK, Life on Mars and Torchwood."
He has also previously written for Doctor Who. His episodes are ‘42,’ ‘The Hungry Earth,’ ‘Cold Blood,’ ‘Pond Life,’ ‘Dinosaurs on a Spaceship,’ ‘The Power of Three,’ and ‘P.S.‘ What a fantastic resume! Chris Chibnall’s time as showrunner of Doctor Who is certainly something to look forward to.
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Next: Determining Peter Capaldi's Place in History
What do you think of Steven Moffat stepping down as the showrunner for Doctor Who? What do you think of Chris Chibnall taking his place? Let us know in the comments.
