Rumour, here-say, speculation, its a big part of being a Whovian.
Sometimes the wild theories that emerge from the dark depths of the internet are exciting, scary, or downright mad. And then there are the theories like this – Peter Capaldi will only be appearing as The Doctor for one full series and then thats it, hes gone in a burst of regenerative energy!
Yes recent rumours and gossip suggest that the Scottish actor was selected as a ‘single season Doctor’ in order to steer the show in a new direction and pave the way for an even more radical (and possibly more controversial) choice for the role.
If true, this means the BBC would have almost certainly selected a replacement already, as his debut season is currently being filmed. It is possible that Steven Moffat and company could just film half of the Doctor’s regeneration process for the finale of this season, and end on a mercilessly cruel cliffhanger – like David Tenants fake regeneration at the end of 2008’s “The Stolen Earth” – without unveiling the new actor, allowing them to delay the selection of the next Doctor for a few months.
Speculation runs rife, with some commentators reporting that perhaps Steven Moffat will be stepping down from the head writer duties soon, and with the potential of a new executive producer and writing staff in charge of the show and wanting to take it in a radical new direction, perhaps Capaldi is just a stepping stone to a majorly out-there choice for the role? Maybe the casting of an older Doctor was the BBC testing the waters to see who the viewers would be comfortable with playing the Time Lord? Rumours of a black or female actor taking on the role have persisted for years, perhaps with the welcome reception of the 55 year old Capaldi we might be a step closer to seeing someone of a different race or gender playing the part?
Personally, while I am a firm member of “The right actor for the right part, regardless of age, gender, race etc…” team, I hope this isn’t the case – just yet. Peter Capaldi is an exceptional actor, and I am looking forward to seeing a good long run of episodes starring him as my favourite time traveller, and if he’s just going to be used as a one series stepping stone, in my honest opinion, it would be such a waste.
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