Chris Chibnall to Replace Steven Moffat as Doctor Who Showrunner

Steven Moffat will deliver his final Doctor Who series in 2017 with Chris Chibnall taking over in 2018

After six series at the helm, Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has officially announcement that he will step down as the series’ lead writer and executive producer following one last series beginning in the spring of 2017. 2016 will be a year without new Doctor Who episodes, save for a Christmas special in December. Replacing Moffat will be Chris Chibnall, best known for Broadchurch (which stars 10th Doctor David Tennant). Chris Chibnall’s first episodes will air in 2018.

Steven Moffat took over the Doctor Who reins on season five of the show’s modern incarnation. Moffat has been responsible for introducing the Eleventh and the Twelfth Doctors in Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi; as well as two companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and iconic characters and monsters including River Song (Alex Kingston), Missy (Michelle Gomez), Rory Pond (Arthur Darvill) and the terrifying Weeping Angels.

“Feels odd to be talking about leaving when I’m just starting work on the scripts for season 10,” says Moffat, “but the fact is my timey-wimey is running out. While Chris is doing his last run of ‘Broadchurch,’ I’ll be finishing up on the best job in the universe and keeping the TARDIS warm for him. It took a lot of gin and tonic to talk him into this, but I am beyond delighted that one of the true stars of British Television drama will be taking the Time Lord even further into the future. At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of Doctor Who. And I will be thrown in a skip.”

Like Steven, Chris Chibnall is also a lifelong Doctor Who fan and a multi-award winning writer and executive producer.

“‘Doctor Who’ is the ultimate BBC program: bold, unique, vastly entertaining and adored all around the world,” says Chris Chibnall, “So it’s a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama. I’ve loved Doctor Who since I was four years old, and I’m relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore. Steven’s achieved the impossible by continually expanding Doctor Who’s creative ambition, while growing its global popularity. He’s been a dazzling and daring showrunner, and hearing his plans and stories for 2017, it’s clear he’ll be going out with a bang. Just to make my life difficult.”

“I want to thank Steven Moffat for everything he has given ‘Doctor Who,'” sayd Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One. “I’ve loved working with him, he is an absolute genius and has brought fans all over the world such joy. I will be very sad to see him leave the show but I can’t wait to see what he will deliver in his last ever series next year with a brand new companion. I have decided to schedule Steven’s big finale series in Spring 2017 to bring the nation together for what will be a huge event on the channel. 2016 is spoilt with national moments including the Euros and Olympics and I want to hold something big back for 2017 – I promise it will be worth the wait! I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Chris Chibnall, a wonderfully talented writer who I know will bring something very special to the hit series.”

“Like Charlotte I would like to thank Steven for his brilliance,” adds Polly Hill, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, “which has made Doctor Who a global hit under his tenure. Chris Chibnall is the perfect successor to take over the reins of this incredible show, so I am delighted that his love for ‘Doctor Who’ has made it impossible for him to resist! Chris is an incredible writer and his vision and passion for ‘Doctor Who’ gives it an exciting future and promises to be a real treat for Doctor Who fans across the world.”

Check back for updates on the future of Doctor Who as they become available.