4) A Totally Fresh Direction For A New Era Of The Show
It isn’t just Peter Capaldi who’s leaving after this year’s Christmas special. The episode will also be the last one produced under Steven Moffat’s era as Doctor Who showrunner.
The writer (also known for co-creating Sherlock) doesn’t often get the best reception from certain quarters of the fandom, but it shouldn’t be forgotten how much he’s given the show. Moffat has taken the reins of the TARDIS since 2010 and has seen it through its most successful period ever in terms of global popularity. He’s also delivered three terrific Doctors (that’s Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and the late, great John Hurt) and some of the best episodes the show has ever seen. His signature blend of quip-laden dialogue and high-concept storytelling hasn’t been to everyone’s tastes, but it has defined the show for the best part of a decade.
While we appreciate what Moffat has done for the series, then, it’s now definitely time for a change. But with the previous showrunner having overseen the tenure of two Doctors, simply getting a new lead wouldn’t have necessarily ensured that Chris Chibnall’s time in charge felt like a clean slate. By giving us the first ever female Doctor, though, Chibnall has proven that this is the start of a brand new chapter of Doctor Who that will truly be different from what we’ve seen over the past fifty years.