‘Doctor Who’: Peter Capaldi announces departure after season 10

“Doctor Who” star Peter Capaldi is leaving the show after the 10^th season. The 58-year-old Scottish actor, who plays the titular Twelfth Doctor, said the upcoming series would be his last.

“I feel it’s time to move on,” he told BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley in an interview on Monday. Capaldi has held the role since 2014.

It has been long rumoured that he would be leaving the show with current showrunner Steven Moffat, who will pass on his duties to “Broadchurch” creator Chris Chibnall after season 10. Moffat previously claimed Capaldi would stay even after his own departure, but as it turned out, they would be leaving together.

“One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best. From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead,” Capaldi said in a statement. “I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic.”

It was just in December when “The Thick of It” star told Wales Online that he was still undecided whether he would continue playing the highly coveted role or not. He admitted that although he enjoyed playing the Gallifreyan Time Lord, he knew he couldn’t hold onto it forever.

“Peter Capaldi is an extraordinary Doctor and has taken the show to amazing places. Although I’m sad he has decided to move on in 2018, I’m delighted that we have one final series with Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat,” executive producer Brian Minchin said. “I know what they’re planning and it’s going to be incredible.”

Before Capaldi goes, though, he will be joined by new companion Bill (to be played by Bill Mackie). It’s still unclear if Mackie would also go after season 10.

It can be recalled that when showrunner Russell T Davies left in 2010, then-Doctor David Tennant and all of his companions also left, giving Moffat a clean slate with a new Doctor (Matt Smith) and new companions. So when Moffat announced that season 10 would be his last, it was speculated, which turned out to be correct now, that Capaldi would also go with him. And so if Chibnall chooses to start fresh with new actors and characters, Mackie would perhaps only be in one season before a new companion is introduced with a new Doctor.

“Doctor Who” season 10 will premiere in April on ABC Australia. Capaldi will also return on the Christmas Special, where he will regenerate into the Thirteenth Doctor.

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