David Farnor | On 31, Jan 2017

Peter Capaldi will step down from Doctor Who after the current season.

Four years after the actor stepped into the TARDIS, taking over the role from Matt Smith, Capaldi has announced that he will bid goodbye to the big blue box in 2017. He made the announcement on Jo Whiley’s BBC Radio 2 show last night.

“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,” he said. “I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic.”

Capaldi will certainly leave his mark on the TARDIS, from his one-man show in Heaven Sent to his anti-war speech in The Zygon Inversion. The BBC notes that he has drawn record ratings in BBC America, Canada, and Latin America.

“In Capaldi’s hands, The Doctor has become older, wearier. He has aged, not just visibly but emotionally. He’s vulnerable, tragic. No wonder he’s so inclined towards the black side of existence; Smith and Tennant’s youthful runaways in the wake of the Time War have matured,” we wrote in our review of the 2015 Christmas special.

The announcement, though, may not come as a huge surprise to fans: Capaldi’s final series also marks the farewell of writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, with the arrival of Chris Chibnall, as with any behind-the-scenes writer change, likely to lead to a slight shift in tone and style.

“For years before I ever imagined being involved in Doctor Who, or had ever met the man, I wanted to work with Peter Capaldi. I could not have imagined that one day we’d be standing on the TARDIS together,” said Moffat. “Like Peter, I’m facing up to leaving the best job I’ll ever have, but knowing I do so in the company of the best, and kindest and cleverest of men, makes the saddest of endings a little sweeter. But hey, it’s a long way from over. Peters’ amazing, fiery, turbulent Doctor is still fighting the good fight, and his greatest adventures are yet to come. Monsters of the universe, be on your guard – Capaldi’s not done with you yet!”

The 10th season of Who returns to screens on Easter Saturday after a year’s break. Peter’s Doctor will be joined over the 12 episodes by new companion Pearl Mackie (Bill), and Matt Lucas (Nardole), with guest appearances to come from David Suchet and Michelle Gomez. The season will be followed by the Christmas Special when the regeneration will take place.

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