To what extent is this true? Was he seriously going to leave, or did he simply not sign up for series 10 straight away? If he WAS meant to go, why didn't he? Does anyone know?


If it is true, I'm very much in two minds. Despite this series being perhaps his best, I think he's in danger of staying too long. I wouldn't have objected at all if he'd left after this year. However, in a way, it would be more fitting for him and Peter Capaldi to leave together, allowing for another brand new start. Unless of course Peter C wants to stay another five years, which Moffat certainly shouldn't do.

It's all true. Christopher Eccleston was going to come back as the Rani. But Moffat stormed off because he'd written a story arc that made sense.

I dont know why didn't he but it would've been the greatest Christmas present hearing Moffat is leaving Doctor Who. I've had enough of his story arcs and storytelling although I loved Series 5 and Series 6.

I wish he would leave because someone new and fresh needs to take the reigns.

Exactly! He's been there longer than RTD was. Russell was there for five years, whereas SM has been there for nearly six.

It's clear that something needs to be done to 'shake up' the show, so that the episodes are not as mediocre as Sleep No More was.

I like the series so far.

Ah okay cool. Another thread asking for factual information has turned into a slag off the Moff fest. Goodie. Love those.

To answer the OP, I believe Moff said at DW Fest he thought that this Christmas would be his last. There's speculation (but nothing more than speculation) that the BBC approached people (or person) on their shortlist about the job and they got turned down so Moff stepped in, which could explain delayed production. Could. Don't know. Moff could mean he originally intended to do 5 series and stop but changed his mind ages ago, but I certainly got the impression he intended to step down but the Beeb needed him to carry on.

I was under the impression he made it clear he never knows for sure when he's leaving, but keeps going along every year until he feels its time to step down.

Personally, I'm glad to see him on for Series 10 as I love his direction with the show and he still has a lot to show us, but the show will go on without him one day. I'm not exactly clamouring for it, though.

Is this seriously the best reasoning you have?!
You do realise that between any two writers, one is always going to be the one that outlasted the other. You seriously cannot hold it against someone simply because they've "been there longer".

But yes, to answer the original question, this upcoming Christmas special was - at one point - going to be Moffat's last story. I can't remember the source, but he was saying that he was talking with RTD about his departure, and that's when RTD suggested that it was a great idea to bring River Song back. The decision about River was made, but for reasons unknown exactly, Moffat eventually agreed to return for Series 10 as well.

This couldn't possibly be the case. Everyone knows the BBC is desperate to offload the award winning, critically acclaimed creator of one of its most successful shows internationally but are forced to keep him for some unknown reason (probably compromising photos), even though it's factually proven he's a bad writer.

I believe he was sort of thinking about leaving prior , as he had a few outside projects that it was hoped would be accepted.
While I was told in passing by a chum in the trade, until it comes out or mentioned by Moffat himself treat it whatever way one wishes.
Take this whatever way you wish, but as the word goes, Moffat had pitched a draft script for Spectre about 2 years ago to EON.
Obviously it wasn't accepted or used. Perhaps too similar in plot style to Sherlock, mcguffins, twists etc, and once that iron in the fire extinguished, and the BBC plans for Who were outlined till 2020 (as leaked in that BBC document) culminating with a Film project which would also tie into the projected launch of the BBC park in or around 2020.
So my thoughts are that he has now committed to the show till then as I do not for one moment think he will pass up on any proposed Doctor Who film project.
I don't believe there will be any series in 2016. Xmas 16 may, budget willing be split into a 2 parter over Xmas day and new years day.
and S10 in earnest will begin around end March, start April 2017.
And although they are stating that Peter is involved in S10, until I see him shooting it, I have doubts.
As I have mentioned before , the wording used by the BBC parties is careful enough to insinuate or infer broadcast next year and that Peter has just signed for another year. (this was publicised sept / oct)
However I have reservations whether that means Peter will shoot a full series. It could just mean from the time he signed, he is committed to the BBC and promoting the role in any way the BBC PR see fit and shooting the Xmas special(s).

To whit McGann signed a multi year deal with Universal / BBC in 96. That could have meant 5 years or just the one off.
Eccleston only did VO work for 12 months after he left the role in 05.

Has anyone asked Moffat what he thought of Spectre? LOL

The implication of the BBC approaching others isn't necessarily that they are keen to get rid of Moffat.. They clearly don't see it as a top priority - especially not for Sherlock.

It's possible Moffat was unsure whether or not to sign up for series 10, possibly because he was developing plans for other things. The BBC, knowing or sensing they couldn't rely on Moffat staying with DW did the obvious thing and sounded out potential other showrunners. Then, at some point, someone had to blink - Moffat realised his other plans weren't going to happen, the BBC had to acknowledge there wasn't a replacement lined up. Or maybe both things happened - it became mutually agreeable to both parties.

But even if the BBC had found someone willing to sign up for series 10, it doesn't necessarily follow that they wouldn't have handed it to Moffat if Moffat wanted it. It may have been a contingency.

Yep, remember reading the interview.

Btw, SM was asked whether he'd like to write for Bond back in 2013 and basically said he wouldn't want to as he was doing Who and Sherlock, and if he got involved with another franchise he loved, he wouldn't have anything left to watch as an uninvolved fan! So the Spectre stuff I think is cobblers, tbh, G_Sales, not even taking into account how busy he's been with other things.

Not wanting to sound dim or anything, but has it been officially announced that Moffat is staying on for the next year's season?

Yes. BBC announced it in July, I think and Moffat has confirmed it this month in several interviews and discussions. He is showrunner for a series of 12+1 episodes to be made during 2016. He has said he is trying to get the series extended by a little bit, but we don't know what that means (a special? a minisode?). He said he won't confirm when filming starts. He said he won't talk about when any of the episodes might get shown.

Hmm. If they already knew back then that there was a problem making and airing season 10 DW in 2016 (perhaps due to Sherlock's star's schedules), it was a good pre-emptive strike against any speculation (arising from the gap in 2016) that SM was leaving DW.

I suppose we might get some sort of announcement shortly after the Christmas special.

All I can say to that is it was said to me in passing by two BBC employees as matter of fact. In person.
Of course until Moffat mentions it publically, or not, its pure conjecture. I get that.
Personally I take it in the manner it was imparted.

Re the plan for a year out in 2016, its said its was always the plan, partly to accommodate Freemans and Cumberbatch`s schedules and utilise it to best effect in shooting a lot more that Series four of Sherlock so they enough to last a number of years.
Whether this is the case or not, I guess we will find out when they are shooting longer than expected next year , if its three 90 mins or six or nine for that matter.

IF that is the case and it was stated to the BBC , this is the only window Martin and Benedict have for the next, say, 4 or 5 years, Sherlock being the tentpole Event TV show/movie it is, then I can certainly see the BBC shifting their plans to maximise the time to ensure there enough Sherlock to last until they are available and willing again.

I do think once S9 is wrapped along with the Xmas special then some announcement confirming what we think we know/widely assumed for a while now.

I love the way you present widely known facts, common conjecture and the bleedin' obvious as if it's some sort of wonderful scoop that only you are privy to, and aren't we lucky that you're sharing such confidential info with us.
It's actually a real skill that you have. What you write appears to be mainly piffle or stuff that we all already know, but it's presented in a rather compelling way.

Um, but Moffat *has* stated publicly that he didn't want to write for Bond, hence my post! Google 'Steven Moffat James Bond' and you'll find the interview. Honest. Are you sure these BBC employees you know aren't winding you up?

Or are they even BBC employees? These were presumably the same "BBC employees" who assured G_Sales that Missy was to be the companion this year...

Possible. doubt it. But Im not as invested as, say Adam 66

Do you mean me? What am I supposed to be invested in? I'm confused...

He said it was in passing...


I now have images in my mind of someone painted to match the walls in the BBC, spying on meetings... But as the bump is fairly obvious, when they talk about shows they make things up... Then walk away quietly tittering to themselves.

I mean, G_Sales' hit rate is appalingly low. Even guesswork would surely have come up with a better rate?

Surely a Moffat-penned Spectre couldn't have been any worse than what we ended up with...

3 weeks later and I'm still irritated by that ending...