Former Doctor Who lead Peter Capaldi has opened up about his complex feelings towards the modern incarnation of the iconic BBC series, suggesting it has become a fundamentally "different thing" from the show he adored as a young fan.
From Superfan to Time Lord
Like his predecessor David Tennant, Peter Capaldi was a devoted fan of Doctor Who long before he stepped into the TARDIS as the Twelfth Doctor. His fandom began in earnest at just 14 years old, when he famously tried to become secretary of the official fan club. His enthusiastic letters to the BBC were so persistent that a secretary, Sarah Newman, reportedly wished the Daleks would "exterminate" him.
Capaldi, now 67, would ultimately have the last laugh, landing the coveted role in 2013 and replacing Matt Smith. However, his deep-rooted love for the series doesn't blind him to its evolution, which he discussed candidly on the Half the Picture podcast.
The Price of Success
Capaldi pinpointed a shift in the show's scale and purpose. "The show became very, very big," he stated. "It was never like that when I loved it. So it became a different thing." He contrasted the earlier eras, such as those starring Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker, with the modern production.
He explained that actors then would spend most of the year making and promoting the series. Now, he believes, the lead actor is expected to be a brand ambassador for the BBC. "It wasn't this in-your-face kind of thing that suddenly was really important to the BBC, or suddenly really important to a brand that had to be maintained," Capaldi reflected.
"It was just a show that some kids really loved, and other kids didn't care about... It became this sort of very important thing – I think less in a cultural way and more in an economic way." In his view, the programme he loved was a smaller concern that "just survived" until it was revived, and has since become a victim of its own monumental success.
Life in the Spotlight and Looking Forward
During the same interview, Capaldi admitted to being "scared" by the loss of privacy that came with the role, a change David Tennant had warned him about. "It's a genie that once it's out of the bottle, you can't put it back," he said, describing the feeling as making one "quite vulnerable." Despite this, he found the overall experience "wonderful" and cherished fan interactions.
Looking to the present, Capaldi praised the current Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, showing support for the series' ongoing journey. His comments arrive during a period of intense scrutiny for Doctor Who. The show has faced reported ratings challenges and fan dissatisfaction, culminating in Disney deciding not to renew its co-production deal with the BBC after the last two series.
The BBC has since moved to reassure audiences, confirming the Doctor's story will continue with a Christmas special in 2026. All episodes remain available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
