Peter Capaldi argues scale has caused issues for Doctor Who: “It was never like that when I loved it”

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Both David Tennant and Peter Capaldi were dedicated fans of Doctor Who before becoming famous for playing the Doctor himself.

Peter Capaldi has often talked about his time on the show and his existing fondness for it before he even joined the cast. Recently, on the Half the Picture podcast, he shared his thoughts on a key problem he sees with how the show has changed over time.

You know, as a huge fan, it’s always a little bittersweet when a show I adore blows up. It really changed once it became that big. It wasn’t the same experience anymore, not for me. I think part of it was the pressure of playing the main character – there were just so many more expectations and things to consider than when I first fell in love with the project.

Previously, actors like John Pertwee or Tom Baker spent the majority of their time actually filming the show, with a smaller portion dedicated to promoting it. Nowadays, there’s a lot more work involved beyond just the filming itself.

This wasn’t about a sudden, dramatic shift in priorities for the BBC, or for any brand concerned with its reputation.

The show had a dedicated fanbase, while others simply weren’t interested, preferring football or eventually losing interest. It unexpectedly became significant, though more as a financial success than a cultural phenomenon.

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Capaldi believes the show’s popularity actually worked against it. He fondly remembers the original series as being small and intimate, a show that barely managed to stay afloat, but was ultimately lost as it grew.

He explained that no one realized how deeply this was becoming ingrained in society, and that’s something he particularly connects with.

In 2024, Steven Moffat, who oversaw the Doctor Who years with Peter Capaldi, explained that while ratings are often discussed, the show’s real success is measured by how much revenue it brings in. He stated this is the primary reason Doctor Who continues to be produced.

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As a big fan, I’ve noticed the show’s production values have really gone up lately! I found out it’s because the BBC started working with Disney Plus – they’re co-producing and distributing it now, which means a lot more money is available for each episode.

The recent agreement for the show has finished, but the BBC has announced it will go on, with a Christmas special planned for 2026. However, it’s still unclear how future episodes will be funded and if a new deal will be made to cover those costs.

Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

As a huge sci-fi fan, I definitely recommend adding Doctor Who to your watchlist on the TopMob ‘What to Watch’ app. It’s a great way to get daily TV recommendations and stay up-to-date with everything happening in the world of television – you can download it now!

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, a global TV production company. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre Studies, and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-01-09 15:04