Peter Capaldi has been playing the role of the Doctor in BBC's Doctor Who for three years now, covering two seasons and currently filming his third. Meanwhile, Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has been in place for six years, and is about to enter into his last year at the helm before he steps down to hand over to Chris Chibnall at the end of season 10, which will air in 2017. Both Capaldi and Moffat have always been avid fans of the show, and their continued dedication has come across in the time they've been working together.

With Moffat's announcement of his departure, however, came rumors that season 10 would be the final outing for Capaldi in the TARDIS, too. After all, it seems logical that an incoming showrunner would appreciate a fresh, clean slate to work with. Newcomer Pearl Mackie will make her first appearance as Bill, the new companion in season 10, and so the time would be ripe for the Doctor to regenerate at the end of the season, ready for a new actor to continue the Doctor's adventures with Bill under the guidance of a new showrunner - one who will have new ideas and a new approach to working.

Capaldi has been fairly vague on the subject of his possible departure, but he did previously state that he had been asked to stay on past season 10 - but he stopped short of saying whether or not he had accepted. However, in a new interview for Doctor Who Magazine (via Den of Geek), Moffat says that he has no reason to assume Capaldi is going anywhere.

"I have no reason to suppose that I’m writing out a Doctor. Peter is loving the role, and long may he do so."

Doctor Who - The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Bill (Pearl Mackie)

Moffat's comments still don't confirm that Capaldi will be staying on, necessarily, and we won't know for sure until we hear from the Doctor himself, but if Moffat isn't planning on writing his departure then it seems likely he will stay; after all, filming for season ten is now well underway so most scripts should be finished by now. Capaldi has frequently described the Doctor as his 'dream role' and so it makes sense that he wouldn't want to quit.

If Capaldi does stay on past season 10, that would make him the longest running Doctor since Doctor Who was relaunched in 2005. The most popular incarnations were played by David Tennant and Matt Smith, and both did three seasons each before moving on. While many have praised Capaldi's mature, slightly jaded approach to the role, it's undeniable that viewing figures have been in steady decline since Capaldi took the reins. It could be, therefore, that while Capaldi might not necessarily want to move on, he might have no choice, since Chibnall may well decide to give the Doctor a complete overhaul when he takes over.

NEXT: How Matt Smith's Doctor Could Return

Doctor Who will return to BBC1 and BBC America with a Christmas Special in December 2016. Season 10 will air in 2017; the exact date has yet to be confirmed.

Source: Den of Geek