Longtime showrunner Steven Moffat admits that he has no desire to return to the helm of the popular BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who. There is currently a sea change going on at Doctor Who. The Doctor - who is a Time Lord with the ability to regenerate form after being mortally wounded - is currently played by Jodie Whittaker, who will be stepping down from the role. Showrunner Chris Chibnall will be stepping down along with Whittaker, with original reboot showrunner Russell T. Davies returning to helm the new iteration, although it has not yet been announced who will be playing The Doctor next.
Russell T. Davies' original run with the show lasted until the end of series 4 and David Tennant's exit from the series. In 2010, the show brought on lead Matt Smith and showrunner Steven Moffat, who would go on to define a new era for Doctor Who. Moffat's tenure lasted through 2017, overseeing Matt Smith's departure and the entirety of Peter Capaldi's run as the next Doctor. He also oversaw popular episodes including the triumphant return of the Weeping Angels in the double episode "The Time Of Angels"/"Flesh And Stone."
At the Radio Times Covers Party, Steven Moffat spoke with Radio Times about his future with Doctor Who. He said in no uncertain terms that "I'm done showrunning Doctor Who." While he loves the series, "I have done it and I did it a lot." Likewise, he doesn't think it's fair that he's now been the showrunner for more series of Doctor Who than Russell T. Davies himself. Moffat joked that he's "got two seasons to catch up on." Read the full quote below:
"I think I can confidently say I'm done showrunning Doctor Who. Everyone can stop worrying. I did it for six seasons on the trot. And I cannot imagine going back into doing that. I cannot. I simply cannot picture it. “I loved the show. I don't want anyone to think I didn't love the show. And I loved every second I spent on it, although some of them were hellish. But I've done that. I have done it and I did it a lot. So no offense and no disrespect and certainly no disdaining of wonderful memories. But no, I will not be showrunning Doctor Who again."
Ironically, there was never really a question that Moffat would return until Doctor Who proved its interest in bringing former showrunners back into the fold. While he has left himself a little bit of wiggle room, he really does seem determined to leave his time at the show in the past. Considering that he's currently in post on the series The Devil's Hour and Inside Man as well as working on a potential movie followup to his series Jekyll, he's got enough on his plate without The Doctor.
As Doctor Who moves into a new era, fans are wondering what will come next. With Davies returning, the show will likely return to a nostalgic atmosphere for fans of the reboot's original four series, and yet combine that with an entirely new cast. The direction in which the show is moving will probably be indicated by the upcoming Spring special, which will be Whittaker's final turn in the role.
Source: Radio Times