So now we know the basics...it will be 12 or 13 episodes again starting with The Magician's Apprentice, very likely followed by a Christmas special. Capaldi and Coleman will still lead the show. It's also speculated we may get another companion at some point, and it is also speculated that 2015 might be Moffat's final year.

What do you want to happen? Go into as much or little detail what you want, preferably using what is known as fact already. What writers do you want, any episode ideas with writers you think would be good at them, arc ideas, returning character ideas, returning foe ideas, new character or foe ideas?

Basically design your own Series 9.

It to be actually fun with them having adventures rather than me having to wonder why the universe's grumpiest man is even bothering because he seems irritated by everyone and everything. A softer, kinder 12 who I might actually care about. No dull boyfriend for Clara either - let her be her own character.

I'd like to see Madame Kovarian back, since we never saw what became of this universes version of her. I'd also like to find out what happened to Tasha Lem, who pretty much just disappeared.

Obviously I'd like to see the Gallifrey arc resolved.

It would be nice to see a Sontaran story set in the Paternoster Gang era, so we can see Strax as a serious character rather than a joke.

I'm hoping this one will be Moffat's last, not because I dislike him but because I think we need some fresh blood (preferably Toby Whithouse).

Leading in to series 10 with Capaldi and an otherwise clean slate with a new showrunner.

I'm really not wanting this at all, personally.
The Time War was the back-burning story in Series 1-7. It was the basis of his morality a lot of the time, something never the focus but always there in the shadows waiting to be referenced. I'm hoping the Gallifrey Lost story is what we have now in its place. Or what is the alternative? We find it, get the occasional story on Gallifrey with the same sets used over and over again, with the Doctor's adventures now feeling more like meandering rather than part of a grander story.

As for what else I'd love to see in Series 9...

- Another historical figure. Amelia Earhart or Leonardo Da Vinci would be brilliant.
- Some more location filming of course. I'd like a story set in another capital city of the world for once - maybe Paris? Alternatively go for something a bit more untamed - like Australia or New Zealand (I suspect the Peter Jackson episode will still be some way off).
- The Master to come back, but not in the finale. I'd have happily waited until Series 10 but apparently we'll be getting her sooner.
- A Toby Whithouse story again, I missed one in Series 8.
- Sea Devils at the seaside. 'Nuff said.
- I think we need either a really creepy new threat (as in Empty Child/Angels creepy) or something that is as iconic as the Ood have become.
- Maybe a young male companion alongside Clara? I'm happy with just Capaldi and Coleman too though.
- A Doctor-lite episode where Paul McGann takes centre stage instead, with Capaldi weaving in and out of the story now and again.
- For Series 9 to be Moffat's last, and on that note...
- I've said this one before but a finale that celebrates Moffats work and the tenth year of the shows return. I'd have a massive two-part story involving an assemblage of time travellers - The Doctor, Clara, Captain Jack, River...maybe chuck someone else in for good measure (a Series 9 recurring character perhaps?) taking on the Weeping Angels who have plotted to dominate the whole of time. It'd tie loosely into the Gallifrey arc (Rassilon seemed to reference the Angels at one point) at one point and would also serve as Clara's exit from the show.

Amelia Earhart featured in a recent Doctor Who Magazine comic strip story, and very good it was too!

Rumours from reliable sources on GB are doing the rounds that Moffat has been asked to stay on for Series 10. Basically, the two writers in the running for the job turned it down. One was too busy working on something else, the other apparently didn't want the hassle.

Slayer2012

Just something different I don't see coming. Hopefully with a little more well-integrated character bits. A clever adventure is fun, but humanity is the life and soul of a story.

If any old companions are too return let it be Jack and River. Hope we get another mix of old and new buddies. Galifrey will probably be in the background until the finale. Expect there will be a few shocks,scares and tears. Just why we love it.

I would like all new stuff please with just Missy returning for a two part story in the middle of the run.

No fiancées, husbands, ex-boyfriends, etc... That's kinda been done to death now (no pun intended) Let's just have Clara and the Doc'.

Or if there has to be a second companion, let's have another woman, That's something we've never really seen (occasional returning companions and River's recurring role notwithstanding).

100% yes

Missy returning in the same way River did in Series 5, but this time she would be a help to the Doctor. The appearence of an old companion is long overdue, Jack would be fantastic and would love to see him having a scene with Missy.

Moffat will have well outstayed his welcome if he remains for s10 too. He's not awful but it is starting to feel a little samey despite his attempts at changes. It needs a fresh perspective to give it a shot in the arm.


Tbh I hope we don't see any of them again. S6 ruined River's character and the show has moved way beyond Jack.

Completely agree. I love Moffat, but having him stay on for a whopping six seasons is veering into JNT territory IMHO.

Yep, Steven Moffat should bow out with series 9. I think no Doctor or show runner should stay longer than five series, there should be some unwritten rule or something, it's important that the show regenerates itself.

That's a fine sentiment and would be good in theory, but the trouble is from what reliable sources are saying the BBC can't find anyone willing to take over and Moffat has said he won't go unless he feels the show is in good hands. The BBC have a specific requirement for who should run the show and obviously that's not being met. Now i don't know why one of the candidates turned it down but the fact he said he didn't want the hassle seems to indicate he doesn't want the abuse that certain sections of the "fandom" have aimed at Steven in recent years. I can understand that. People are certainly entitled to not liking storylines and the era as a whole but some of the personal attacks and abuse aimed at Steven is, quite frankly, shocking and completely out of order Therefore, i'm not surprised that they're having difficulty finding someone. The current feeling is the show may be rested for a year or two if they can't find someone suitable.

Slayer2012.

...was Doctor Who 'way beyond' Sarah Jane Smith when they brought her back in 2006 after a couple of decades off-screen?
I say this as someone whose not particularly fussed about Jack's character myself, but I feel there's room for him to fit in a return, and if the story is right for it then why not? I'd judge the return on the quality of its delivery, rather than the return itself.


I suspect that even if this is remotely true, it's going to be a 'worst case scenario' kind of plan. Putting the show on hold would prove so incredibly costly - maintaining the sets for that period of downtime, having to maintain the leading cast and at least some of the writers who will go on to do other things, not to mention the loss of money from the show not being able to put out any series-relevant merchandise, or the income from distribution to other countries. Then there's the cost of commissioning something else with the annual drama budget for 13 weekends a year, sourcing a cast for that, building potential sets and so on - despite the fact that Doctor Who is meant to come back in this plan, and in a couple of years the budget and time slot will likely no longer be there for this new show.

And all because of one job role? I mean if I'm wrong then all the power to the people who called it, but I haven't even yet countered in the popularity of the show right now, and the whole notion of giving it a 'break' already seems highly incredulous.

It was officially "rested" in 1989 too.....

It's all getting a bit JNT with Moffat isn't it? Trying to quit but no one around to replace him. ...

Exactly! It can't be said any simpler and to the point.

But, of course, it's been done before, in 2009 and some of the costs you mention will be offset by not having to produce Dr Who that year.

Of course, it could be a ploy, on a number of levels; they are putting out a message that says excessive behaviour by fans is hampering the search for a new show-runner. That could mean
1 "fans back off, give the new guy a chance"
2" new show-runner, we'll draw the fans ire by shelving the show for 12 months, which will give you an easier ride when you do arrive "

If either of those options work, and they get a show-runner they want, it will probably save them money in the medium term, with the continued popularity of the show.

For all those people decrying Moffat, would you rather he left with no successor in place? What would happen to the show then?

This is a difficult one. When Russell left, it was blatantly clear as to who would replace him. With Steven, it's a lot harder to tell who could take over after he leaves.

If they have to rest it, at least let there be a couple of specials like in 2009

As for dream series 9, I would personally like to see another full-time companion joining alongside the Doctor and a Clara living fulltime on the TARDIS. Go anywhere, do anything, have Clara die heroically in the finale, leaving the Doctor and the new companion to carry on as two.

I just want it to feel more Doctor Who again. I love Moffat, his episodes (and Mathieson's) were the only ones I genuinely enjoyed and will watch again. But the rest of series 8 fell a bit flat for me.

I get that they wanted to change direction or whatever but I don't see how they really changed it other than making it less spacey and removing genuine emotional scenes/storyline and replacing them with Clara and Danny's rubbish. I really don't think he was developed enough to be one of the biggest arcs of the series. It felt like he just appeared, then not long after that they got together (which is understandable, it's a time travel show). I don't think he was likeable enough to be 'shoehorned' (using that term lightly, can't think of a better word) in like that.

I'd just love to see Series 9 have The Doctor and Clara, maybe another companion too, I'd quite like to see Shona again, on adventures, with them actually looking like they're enjoying it. If they seem like they aren't enjoying each other's company, I won't enjoy watching it. Definitely much less earthbound stories unless they're set in the past or future.
If there were more stories with a feel/tone/atmosphere similar to Girl In The Fire Place, Family Of Blood, Waters Of Mars, Crimson Horror, Deep Breath and Listen, I'd love that.
And finally, it needs to have an interesting story arc, I liked the Heaven one, but I feel like the previous three stories arcs worked better/had better pay offs.

Series 9 could see out Moffat. If it doesn't then Series 10 probably will. I can't see him going further than that to be honest.

Ideally, I think another companion should be added into the mix with Twelve and Clara and someone who isn't antagonistic towards the former or a love interest for the latter. From a different time zone would be nice too to be honest.

A Dalek and Davros finale on Skaro would be sweet. Keep Missy for a mid-series episode or Christmas 2015.

A tiny acknowledgement of the revived series being 10 years old, maybe a minisode during Comic Relief or something.

Plus the usual stuff - historical figures, new monsters, various trips in space and time and an overall sense of fun and peril.

Recruit Shona McCullogh as an apprentice. She's a funny but tragic character, which is perfect companion material. She's unfulfilled, clever, and Faye Marsay: if anything, she's overqualified!

Two full-ish time women who are just friends is a new dynamic, and if neither lives aboard the TARDIS full time (which they shouldn't - who'd choose the TARDIS over a "real life" when they can have both?) (answer: Shona... but it's not necessarily a good thing!) then either one can take a back seat for a two-hander any time they like.

Other musts; follow up on Missy, Dark Water was clearly just an intro. And, loads of Jamie Mathieson eps please and thank you? Maybe a non-finale two parter, just because.

My wishlist isn't huge. Doctor Who, keep doing what you're doing!

The difference being that the person who suggested there could be an imminent break again is saying there will be one so that they can find a suitable successor.

Back in 2009 things were quite different. We had no regular companion, and David Tennant was prepping to leave. Moffat had already been lined up as a successor, and there was an element of knowing that all the way back in 2008 when he was writing Silence in the Library - at least if The Writers Tale is anything to go by.

On top of that there were two spin-offs to keep the show in the spotlight as well, and the show was nonetheless still on the air even if only with a handful of episodes. Resting it to find a new show runner would suggest there'd be no episodes at all.

It's of course not beyond the realms of possibility but it would be in the BBC's best interest to have something to put out each year whilst the show is successful. Resting it would also likely mean an end to certain distribution deals with foreign broadcasters who would have to spend their own money finding new content to fill the Doctor-Who-shaped void, and it would mean backpedalling on the Beeb's part who would have to make new deals when the show came back again.

All that being said, I'm all for finding the most suitable replacement. For his ups and downs, Moffat has kept the show a steady popularity - not an easy thing to do particularly for the genre. Infamous shows like Buffy and The X Files, no matter how good they were, lost viewership and support in their later years. As a show that takes inspiration from shows like that a fair bit, for Doctor Who to be going into Series 9 with very similar viewing figures in the UK and now a bigger-than-ever global audience, well it shows how integral it is to the TV scene. In turn, it puts into perspective just how bizarre a rest for the show could be for the sake of one job role - no matter how significant it is. I just find it difficult to believe there isn't anyone out there who has the experience and/or passion to continue it beyond Moffat. I'd have thought it would have been one of the most sought after positions, quite frankly.