Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi criticises BBC show’s fans for taking the show ‘so seriously’

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Peter Capaldi, known for playing Doctor Who, has expressed his disapproval of fans who are overly invested in the show, saying they take the science fiction series ‘too seriously’.

Peter Capaldi, 68, starred as the Twelfth Doctor on the show from 2013 until 2017, when Jodie Whittaker took over the role.

Okay, so I was reading an interview with Peter – you know, the Peter – in The Times, and they asked him about all the ridiculous people online calling the show ‘woke’ just because they cast Jodie as the Doctor, and then Ncuti! Honestly, it drives me crazy that they can’t just appreciate how amazing those choices were. He was asked about those people, and it just… it got me thinking about how unfair it all is!

As a lifestyle observer, I’ve always felt Doctor Who brilliantly captures the spirit of the moment – and that’s a wonderful thing! However, it’s grown so massive, so culturally significant, that I think it’s almost outgrown its home at the BBC, or any single broadcaster, really. It’s become something bigger than just a TV show.

As a child, I simply saw it as a fun monster show – something to watch casually. I’m surprised by how much importance people now place on it.

Oh my gosh, Jodie Whittaker! She was everything as the Thirteenth Doctor, you guys. From 2017 to 2022, she totally redefined the role, and it was just…amazing. And can we talk about how she was the first woman to ever play the Doctor? Seriously, a total icon!

Ncuti Gatwa played the Doctor from 2023 to 2025, making history as both the first Black actor and the first openly queer actor to take on the role.

In a 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, Ncuti Gatwa shared that while most Doctor Who fans have been incredibly supportive since he became the Doctor, some negative reactions did bother him.

He pointed out that he wouldn’t be the first Black actor to star in a major science fiction series that faced that kind of reaction.

‘Unfortunately, those are voices that exist in sci-fi fandoms—but they’re not the only voices. 

I mostly remember feeling incredibly loved and welcomed into a close-knit community of fans. Whenever we film, there are always people showing their support – they’re there outside the studio or on location, no matter the time or weather, even if it’s freezing cold at 4 in the morning!

I’m really moved by what the show represents to people, and that’s what I focus on. It’s important not to dismiss the very real issues of racism and homophobia.

I acknowledge that they and their actions have an impact on me, but I choose not to dwell on it. Instead, I focus on all the wonderful things that happened because I became part of the Doctor Who universe.

A well-known figure from the history of Doctor Who has said the show doesn’t compare to its former glory, coinciding with the broadcast of two episodes that haven’t been seen for 63 years.

Peter Purves, age 87, is known for playing Steven Taylor, a companion of the original Doctor (William Hartnell), appearing in the series from 1965 to 1966.

After his time on the BBC show, Peter went on to be a host on Blue Peter for more than a decade.

He told The Mirror that looking back on his time on Doctor Who, it feels different compared to the show’s more recent versions.

Peter said: ‘It was the golden era. I don’t think the show is a patch on what it was.’

Two lost episodes of the classic science fiction series Doctor Who, originally broadcast in the 1960s, were recently discovered in a disorganized collection of old films.

The episodes “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet” were part of the third series, called “The Daleks’ Master Plan.”

William Hartnell played the Doctor, with Peter as his companion Steven Taylor. Nicholas Courtney, Adrienne Hill, and Kevin Stoney also appeared as Bret Vyon, Katarina, and Mavic Chen, respectively.

These stories, penned by Terry Nation, hadn’t been broadcast since their original airing on UK television and were thought to be lost permanently.

Fortunately, the charitable trust Film is Fabulous! found these recordings in a private collection, and the BBC Archives then worked to carefully restore the original 16mm films.

Noreen Adams, head of the BBC Archives, shared her excitement about a collaboration with Film is Fabulous! to make previously missing Doctor Who episodes available on BBC iPlayer this Easter.

This April, BBC Archives is making sure classic recordings sound their best for Easter. They’re restoring the originals and improving the audio quality so fans can enjoy a special bonus with their Easter celebrations.

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2026-04-27 19:04