Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi almost stayed another year, reveals headwriter Steven Moffat
STEVEN MOFFAT has revealed that Peter Capaldi was almost tempted to stay for another season of Doctor Who.
Doctor Who set for thrilling new series in spring
Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi almost stayed another year, reveals headwriter Steven Moffat
The current Time Lord announced that he will be stepping down from the TARDIS last month, a decision that could have been very different.
But, according to headwriter Steven, Peter was unsure on whether to stay a bit longer.
He told Broadcast Magazine: "It took Peter a long time to make up his mind. Chris tried to persuade him to stay.
"I knew it was a possibility that he'd leave because Doctors tend to do three years. I thought that he might want to opt out, rather than go through the trauma of a change in command and maybe leaving a year later anyway," he continued.
The showrunner revealed that Peter almost stayed another day
Steven revealed it was Peter's casting that made him stay
It took Peter a long time to make up his mind. Chris tried to persuade him to stay
He confirmed: "But I think he came close to staying."
Steven also discussed his own departure from the show which will coincide with the lead stepping down.
"I intended to do three years, so I doubled that. For various reasons, during my third series I wasn't as happy," the 55-year-old revealed.
He added: "It was the only time doing Doctor Who where i felt it was slipping away from me a bit."
Peter announced his departure last month
Doctor Who will return in April with new companion, Bill
The writer, also behind Sherlock, revealed he felt he lost "control" of the show around the time the previous Doctor, Matt Smith, announced his departure from the sci-fi drama.
"I didn't want to leave like that, so I tried to persuade Matt to do another year, but he was determined to go," Steven explained.
He added: "And then having cast a new Doctor, I had to stay - and I wanted to because I was thoroughly enjoying working with Peter."
Steven and Peter's final season of Doctor Who will air April 15 on BBC One.