Peter Capaldi Warns the BBC About ‘Doctor Who’: “They Don’t Really Understand It”

For a show all about time travel, there are many Doctor Who fans who would love to jump in the TARDIS and head back in time before all the chaos began. Years before a disappointing Disney era, Ncuti Gatwa‘s controversial exit, declining ratings, and a new sour relationship between fans and returning showrunner Russell T. Davies saw the timey-wimey series put out to tender, Doctor Who fans enjoyed a retrospectively appreciated era led by star Peter Capaldi.

Capaldi was the second Doctor to fly the TARDIS during Steven Moffat‘s reign as showrunner, and is arguably the biggest fan of the series to ever hold a sonic screwdriver (or wear sonic sunglasses). Although there were mixed reviews for Capaldi’s time flying the TARDIS, there was no doubt that the actor brought an energy and enthusiasm to the role that only someone with the utmost respect and admiration for the series could. It shouldn’t be a surprise then that the man himself has spoken out about the show’s troubled times, and warned against those in charge not being suitable for such an iconic British institution.

Capaldi explained that there is only “a small group of professionals” that could take charge of Doctor Who during an interview on the Half the Picture podcast. Capaldi warned that BBC executives who “don’t really understand it” threaten to derail the show once more. It needs love,” he said, adding, “I sometimes think people in the BBC don’t really understand it. I think that’s kind of a problem. People don’t really know what it’s supposed to be.” He continued:

“That’s why the show is made by Russell and Steven and all that, because they love it, and they loved it from when they were little, and when it was not on they loved it. So they knew what it was [and] they knew what to bring to it. I don’t think there were any executives in the BBC [who] had a checklist of things that should be in it. It had to be left to Russell to do that. And there’ll be someone like that now.”

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“That’s why the show is made by Russell and Steven and all that, because they love it, and they loved it from when they were little, and when it was not on they loved it. So they knew what it was [and] they knew what to bring to it. I don’t think there were any executives in the BBC [who] had a checklist of things that should be in it. It had to be left to Russell to do that. And there’ll be someone like that now.”

Your answers point to the iconic universe your values, your instincts, and your particular way of seeing the world were built for. This is where you would find your people — and your purpose.

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When Will ‘Doctor Who’ Return?

• Image via Disney+

• Image via BBC

• Image via Dan Fearon /©Disney+/BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/ Courtesy Everett Collection

• Image via BBC

• Image via BBC

• Image via Disney+

• Image via BBC

• Image via Dan Fearon /©Disney+/BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/ Courtesy Everett Collection

• Image via BBC

• Image via BBC

Although nothing is confirmed, the future of Doctor Who now feels secure, with a return on the horizon. According to reports, the series is eyeing a 2028 or 2029 return to the BBC, with Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio, through his production company, Hat Trick Mercurio, most likely to take over control of the TARDIS. Former showrunner Davies believes that a decision on the show would arrive sooner rather than later, saying, “You’ll start to see production with a brand-new Doctor, a brand-new companion, summer next year.”

The last season of Doctor Who is available to stream on Disney+. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest updates.

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