Peter Capaldi will reportedly leave 'Doctor Who' in 2017 so new showrunner Chris Chibnall can have a "fresh start".
Peter Capaldi
It was revealed at the weekend that current executive producer Steven Moffat is leaving the sci-fi programme after making Series 10 to hand over the reins to the 'Broadchurch' creator.
Now it has been claimed Capaldi's tenure in the TARDIS as the Twelfth Doctor will come to an end so Chibnall can cast his own choice of Time Lord.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Bosses are already discussing a fresh start when Steven Moffat leaves.
"They've been happy with what Peter has brought to the role but some think it might make sense to give Chris his own choice of actor to play the Doctor. They hope he will be able to find someone who can have the same impact as Matt Smith did when Steven Moffat kicked off his run as executive producer."
The 57-year-old actor took on the titular part in 2013, replacing the departing Matt Smith in that year's Christmas special 'The Time of the Doctor'. Earlier that year, Capaldi also made a brief cameo in his TARDIS in the 50th anniversary episode 'The Day of the Doctor'.
He has appeared in two series so far and the 2017 run of shows would be his third.
A BBC spokesperson has confirmed Capaldi is signed up for the 2017 series but moving forward they added: "We don't discuss contracts."
Moffat has worked on series for the last six years after taking on the job as showrunner from Russell T. Davies in 2009 and being given the daunting task of replacing the super-popular Tenth Doctor David Tennant with Smith.
Speaking about his decision to walk away from position next year, life-long 'Whovian' Moffat said: "It feels odd to be talking about leaving when I'm just starting work on the scripts for season 10, but the fact is my timey-wimey is running out. While Chris is doing his last run of 'Broadchurch', I'll be finishing up on the best job in the universe and keeping the TARDIS warm for him."
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