And Steven Moffat’s story will be repeated for years to come.
The Doctor Who head writer and showrunner—for only one more episode—already said goodbye to his cast and crew. But last week, he bid adieu to fans in his final Doctor Who Magazine column (reprinted on the alphacentauriiswatchingyou Tumblr blog).
“The fact is, I have no more news for you. Barely any secrets to keep,” he wrote. “One more special on Christmas Day, and I’ll be gone before the end credits.”
Known for complex storylines and lengthy monologues, the lifelong Whovian in 2004 signed on to the BBC’s Doctor Who revival. He earned three consecutive Hugo Awards (“The Empty Child”/”The Doctor Dances,” “The Girl in the Fireplace,” “Blink”), and one more nomination (“Silence in the Library”/”The Forest of the Dead”), before replacing Russell T. Davies as executive producer.
Nearly a decade later, Moffat revealed plans to depart the long-running show in December.
“I first wrote Doctor Who in 2004, and I very much hoped I’d get to write it again. Then I wrote more, and then so much more, until I thought it might go on forever,” he said in DWM.
It turns out forever is about 12 years—fittingly, the same number Doctor with whom Moffat will end his Who career.
“Even I don’t care about me—this is all about Peter Capaldi,” the Scotsman said of the show’s star.
“I saw him at the end, you know. The very last shot you see of him as the Doctor is in fact the very last thing Peter did on the show,” Moffat continued. “Just as popping out the TARDIS and confusing Strax was the very first thing he did in ‘Deep Breath,’ all those centuries ago.”
Reading Moff’s last words—reminders of space and time gone by, whispers of new adventures to come—it’s hard not to wax nostalgic.
“It was funny, that last day. I was in the studio for most of it, which is the first time I’ve ever managed that on Doctor Who,” he wrote, musing over former responsibilities like planning, writing, and casting. “But now, with my time on the show winding down, with desks falling empty, and computers falling silent, and endless rounds of goodbye drinks, there’s nowhere else for me to be.”
Two weeks ago—after Moffat filed his farewell column (in which he cheekily plays a scene between himself and tight-lipped director Rachel Talalay)—the BBC announced Jodie Whittaker will replace Capaldi in this winter’s finale.
Taking on the role of the first female Doctor, Whittaker reunites with Broadchurch boss Chris Chibnall for Doctor Who‘s 11th season, scheduled for 2018.
Via Geek.Com by Stephanie Mlot
