The more, the merrier indeed!
It seems like the Time Lord from “Doctor Who” is extending his stay on Earth because according to UK’s Radio Times, showrunner Steven Moffat revealed that the British sci-fi series will stay on-air for at least another 5 years.
In case you were wondering, “Doctor Who” is a British cult TV programme produced by BBC since 1963.
It follows the adventures of a rogue Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who simply goes by the name “Doctor”. The humanoid alien explores the universe in a stolen Type 40 TARDIS time machine to travel across time and space. Due to a malfunction, the appearance of his TARDIS remains fixed as a blue British Police box.
In the series, the Doctor often travels with a human companion to combat numerous reoccurring enemies. He also works to save civilisations and help people in need. When his body is mortally damaged, he has the ability to regenerate himself with a new appearance and personality.
The original show ceased airing in 1989, but it was later revived in 2005.
After appearing in the 8th series as the Twelfth Doctor, Scottish actor Peter Capaldi will reprise his role in the 9th series alongside Jenna Coleman. Maisie Williams, who is best known for her role as Arya Stark in “Game of Thrones“, is set to guest star in the new series as well.
Having recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the rebooted “Doctor Who” series , Moffat said:
I thought it would last 10 years. I didn’t think it would last 10 years with BBC Worldwide trying to get me in a room to talk about their plan for the next 5 years! It’s going to do a minimum of 15. I mean, it could do 26!
However, he also expressed his concern by saying that there is a certain danger of prolonging the series because “there’s nothing easy about doing Doctor Who”.
Image source: EW
He further revealed that it was the consistent viewing figures that allowed the series to grow bigger:
When I first took it over, the BBC said to me, “We’ve done all our calculations. The ratings will now fall. Expect to lose quite a bit. We don’t mind that. We’re going to keep it going. So long as it’s a good show we won’t mind if the ratings stop being quite as amazing as they were. That’s absolutely fine.” And they didn’t. They pretty much stayed the same.
10 years on, our ratings are pretty much the same. Actually, internationally, bigger. No show does that! You’re meant to go down! Doctor Who just stays. It’s extraordinary!
Of course, not many of us expected it to end in another 5 years, not even BBC drama chief Ben Stephenson.
According to Radio Times, he brought new hope by saying:
Because it’s such an amazing format, because you can constantly revive it and re-imagine it, then as long as the people looking after it are passionate about it and the BBC is passionate about it, there’s absolutely no reason why it can’t do another 50 years.
So, what do you think, Whovians (as “Doctor Who” fans are lovingly called)? Are you excited for the future of the series? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.
(Source: Radio Times via EW / Image source: Doctor Who’s official Facebook page)