Well, folks, we can’t say this has been entirely unexpected. There have been murmurs for some time that actor Peter Capaldi was nearing the end of his tenure as the Doctor in the hit sci-fi series, Doctor Who, but while speaking with the BBC Radio 2 show, Capaldi all but confirmed that the 10th series (or season) of the show would be his last.

“It (the new series of Doctor Who) will be my last… I feel it’s time to move on.”

Back in 2013, it was announced that Capaldi would take on the mantle of the Doctor — the 12th Doctor to be exact. It’s probably an understatement to say that Capaldi’s initial portrayal of everyone’s favorite Time Lord was a bit darker and more sinister than previous iterations, but it was something of a fresh breath of air. Thus far, Capaldi has been the Doctor for two full seasons, and once Season 10 is complete, he will have done so for three seasons. Not a super long run, but by no means is it short, as it’s on par with Matt Smith’s run and, of course, longer than Christopher Eccleston’s one-season tenure.

In regards to Capaldi’s announced departure, showrunner Steven Moffat had the following to say:

“For years before I ever imagined being involved in Doctor Who, or had ever met the man, I wanted to work with Peter Capaldi. I could not have imagined that one day we’d be standing on the TARDIS together. Like Peter, I’m facing up to leaving the best job I’ll ever have, but knowing I do so in the company of the best, and kindest and cleverest of men, makes the saddest of endings a little sweeter. But hey, it’s a long way from over. Peters’ amazing, fiery, turbulent Doctor is still fighting the good fight, and his greatest adventures are yet to come. Monsters of the universe, be on your guard – Capaldi’s not done with you yet!”

Perhaps the biggest thing of note here is that Moffat will also be departing Doctor Who after this season, with Chris Chibnall in line to take over for him. With both Moffat and Capaldi gone, there’s going to be one heck of a learning curve for audiences.

Who will be next in line to succeed Capaldi? That’s one question fans will spend the next year speculating over! What about you? Who would you like to see as the Doctor? Let us know in the comments down below!

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SOURCE: Doctor Who Official