Peter Capaldi blasts fans for taking ‘Doctor Who’ too seriously
In a cutting remark that will shock followers of the show, Peter Capaldi has criticised Doctor Who fans for taking the long-running sci-fi series “so seriously”.
Peter Capaldi has criticised Doctor Who fans for taking the long-running sci-fi series “so seriously”.
Reflecting on how the show has evolved since his time as the Twelfth Doctor, the actor, 68, who led Doctor Who from 2013 to 2017 before being succeeded by Jodie Whittaker as the Time Lord, made the comments in an interview with The Times as debate around the programme’s direction continues.
The BBC series – first broadcast in 1963 and widely regarded as one of Britain’s most enduring television exports – has remained in the spotlight following recent casting choices, including Ncuti Gatwa, who became the first Black and openly queer actor to take on the role between 2023 and 2025.
Peter, whose tenure followed that of Matt Smith and David Tennant, remains closely associated with the show alongside his broader career in The Thick of It and Oscar-winning short Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life.
Discussing the reaction from some viewers, Peter said: “(Doctor Who) reflects its times and it’s a good thing in the world, though it’s become a bit too big, too important for the BBC or whoever.”
He added: “When I was a kid and watched it, it was just a monster show in the corner of the room. I don’t know why people take it so seriously.”
Jodie, who became the first woman to portray the Doctor during her run from 2017 to 2022, was followed by Ncuti, whose casting marked another shift in the programme’s history.
Speaking previously to Vanity Fair, Ncuti addressed the mixed reaction from audiences.
He said: “I wouldn't be the only Black lead that's taken over a sci-fi franchise that would have received that sort of treatment.”
Ncuti continued: “Unfortunately, those are voices that exist in sci-fi fandoms – but they're not the only voices. I just remember feeling a lot of warmth and love, being embraced into a big nerd family. When we're shooting there are fans outside the studio or on location every single time, be it at 4am, be it minus-12 degrees.
“I think that's beautiful, what the show means to them, so I concentrate on that more than anything. I don't want to invalidate the very real thing that is racism, homophobia. I don't act as if they don't exist or they don't affect me. They do. “But I try to pay it no mind and look at the many, many positives that came from joining the Whoniverse.”
The debate comes amid renewed attention on the programme’s history following the rediscovery of two long-lost episodes from the 1960s.
Peter Purves, who appeared as Steven Taylor alongside William Hartnell in the early years of the show before later becoming a presenter on Blue Peter, reflected on the original era in comments to The Daily Mirror.
He said: “It was the golden era. I don’t think the show is a patch on what it was.”
The recovered episodes, The Nightmare Begins and Devil’s Planet, part of The Daleks’ Master Plan, featured William Hartnell, Nicholas Courtney, Adrienne Hill and Kevin Stoney, and were written by Terry Nation.
They had not been seen since their original broadcast and were believed lost before being discovered by the Film is Fabulous! trust and restored by BBC Archives for release on BBC iPlayer.
Noreen Adams, director of BBC Archives, said: “We’re thrilled to have worked with the team at Film is Fabulous! to bring these lost Doctor Who episodes to viewers on BBC iPlayer this Easter. BBC Archives has been working to restore the original recordings and update these to broadcast quality, ensuring fans can enjoy a little extra treat with their Easter Eggs this April.”
