“A Victim of Its Success”: Former ‘Doctor Who’ Star Shares Candid View on the Series

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Peter Capaldi, known for playing the Twelfth Doctor on Doctor Who between 2014 and 2017, believes the show’s success may have unintentionally become a problem.

In an interview on the Half Picture podcast with Den of Geek, Peter Capaldi, who grew up watching Doctor Who, shared his thoughts on the show’s current challenges. He believes the series is struggling a bit because of its popularity. “The Doctor Who I loved was small and just trying to survive,” Capaldi explained. “It quietly became a part of the culture, and that’s the version I really connect with.”

Capaldi explained that the show was popular with some children, while others simply weren’t interested, preferring things like football or eventually growing out of it. He felt it became surprisingly significant, though he believed this importance was more about money than culture.

The show grew massively in popularity, but that changed my relationship with it. It felt different than when I first enjoyed it. There was more pressure and more obligations that came with the role. Previously, actors like John Pertwee or Tom Baker spent most of their year filming and a little time promoting the show. Now, it felt like the BBC and the show’s brand demanded constant, highly visible promotion and maintenance, which wasn’t the case before.

The Future of ‘Doctor Who’ Remains in Question


BBC

Capaldi is right to point out how much more popular Doctor Who has become, and that increased popularity brings higher expectations. The original series was a lighthearted show mainly for children, many of whom later became devoted adult fans. While the 2005 revival was successful for the BBC, it wasn’t the worldwide sensation it is today. Back then, it was considered a niche science fiction program, often airing in the US on the Syfy channel long after its initial broadcast in the UK.

Beginning with Matt Smith in 2010 and continuing with Peter Capaldi, Doctor Who became a huge global brand, with episodes airing simultaneously worldwide. Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Doctor aimed for a more sophisticated look, similar to high-quality dramas. The agreement with Disney+ to stream David Tennant’s specials and Ncuti Gatwa’s episodes significantly increased the show’s profile. However, after two seasons, Disney+’s exclusive deal ended, leaving fans uncertain about the future. Despite this, the BBC has assured viewers that the series will continue.

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2025 was the first year since the show’s revival in 2005 that Doctor Who didn’t air a Christmas or New Year’s special. Now, the series has been on the air longer than its original run. With so many years on television, Doctor Who has gained a devoted fanbase, but as often happens with long-running shows, some viewers have lost interest. To recapture the magic, Doctor Who might benefit from focusing on what made it great in the first place – being a compelling television show, rather than trying to be a massive, unmissable global event.

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2026-01-10 19:17