Peter Capaldi addresses speculation over whether he is involved in any of the upcoming Doctor Who 60th anniversary special episodes that are set to air in 2023. The actor portrayed the twelth incarnation of the time-lord from 2013 to 2017 under former showrunner Steven Moffat. Since departing the show, Capaldi has appeared in The Suicide Squad in 2021 as the DC Comics villain, The Thinker.
After his eyebrows made a surprise cameo appearance in 2013's 50th-anniversary special, "The Day of the Doctor," as part of the plan to save Gallifrey, the Twelth Doctor made his full debut in the end of the following episode, "The Time of the Doctor." An incarnation who is concerned with his morality, Capaldi's Doctor initially had a harder edge to him when compared to prior incarnations, coming off as more gruff and prone to anger and irritation. However, as the Doctor settled into this new regeneration, he not only showed a more playful side to himself, but also a desire to teach others to be better than even himself, willing to do what's right no matter the consequences. Followed by Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor, Capaldi's incarnation has since been fondly remembered for his memorable speeches and unique characterization when compared to actors who came before like Matt Smith and David Tennant. And as Doctor Who prepares to celebrate its 60th-anniversary in 2023, Capaldi becoming the latest actor to speak out on the possibility of his involvement.
As reported by RadioTimes, Capaldi revealed to SFX Magazine whether he was involved in Doctor Who's 60th-anniversary episodes. The actor denied that he was involved in the upcoming special episodes, explaining that he feels balancing a celebration of the show's history that includes familiar former cast members with a good story would be difficult. Emphasizing how much he enjoyed his time on the show, Capaldi concluded by joking about the secrecy of being involved in the show. Check out Capaldi's full response below.
"It’s very hard to imagine how you’d get a decent crack of the whip when there’s 14 of you, you know? So I think I’d rather leave it as is, because I loved my time on Doctor Who and loved doing it.
"I don’t want to be Doctor Who’s assistant. It used to drive me insane on Doctor Who, not being able to talk about anything. It’s like, 'Who cares?!' But then I get into trouble."
Will Any Other Previous Doctors Return For The 60th Anniversary?
While Tennant will return for the 60th-anniversary alongside Catherine Tate to lead the special episodes in 2023, it is currently unconfirmed whether he will be joined by any prior incarnations of the Doctor. Since 1972's 10th-anniversary episode, "The Three Doctors," Doctor Who has often used these milestones to create multi-Doctor stories as seen in 1983's "The Five Doctors," "The Day of the Doctor," and even the much-maligned 1993 Children in Need special, "Dimensions in Time." However, with Whittaker leaving the show prior to work on the Anniversary episodes, and Capaldi, Smith, and Christopher Eccleston all previously denying involvement in the upcoming television story, it is believed that no other former incarnations will be part of the story. Despite this, Tennant has teased familiar characters will return, leading to speculation that the episode will instead focus on bringing back former companions and foes to celebrate the show's legacy. This can be seen not only with the return of Tate's Donna Noble, but it is speculated that Neil Patrick Harris is portraying a modern version of classic 1960's villain the Celestial Toymaker.
While Capaldi's response may be upsetting to some dedicated fans, his reasoning is understandable. With Doctor Who's long legacy, finding a way to properly celebrate the show's history while telling a well-crafted story may be difficult. And while he may not return, it is evident his time as the Doctor holds a special place in Capaldi's heart, with his insightful thoughts on how the show can successfully tell a fulfilling 60th-anniversary story.
Source: SFX Magazine (Via RadioTimes)