Peter Capaldi’s stance on a possible return to Doctor Who places him in the same boat as Tom Baker and Christopher Eccleston. Peter Capaldi joined a long line of actors who played “Doctor Who” as heappeared in the British sci-fi show from 2014-2017 as the Twelfth Doctor. As of 2024, the Time Lord has gone through three regenerations since, and Ncuti Gatwa was cast as the Fifteenth Doctor for season 14. Considering most actors can only dream of playing the famous character, it is surprising that Peter Capaldi has stated that he doesn’t want to return to Doctor Who.
Doctor Who is confirmed to return for season 15 in May 2025 under its new network, Disney+. The show previously aired on BBC from 2005 onwards and encompassed the reign of Peter Capaldi, who delivered the oldest version of the Doctor since Classic Doctor Who. Capaldi also appeared in Doctor Who before being cast as the Twelfth Doctor, playing a role in “The Fires of Pompeii” and a recurring role in the spin-off, Torchwood. As a fan of the show, which has brought the actor lots of visibility, it is therefore surprising that Capaldi does not want to return.
Peter Capaldi Isn’t The First Doctor Who Actor Who Wouldn’t Return
Tom Baker and Christopher Eccleston Parted Ways With Doctor Who
Unfortunately, Peter Capaldi is not the first Doctor actor who has stated that they will not return to Doctor Who. Although David Tennant and Catherine Tate made a shocking return to Doctor Whoto mark the 60th anniversary of the show in a bi-generation twist, other Doctor actors are not so willing to reprise their notorious roles on the science fiction show. Famously, both Tom Baker, who played the Fourth Doctor in Classic Doctor Who, and Christopher Eccleston, who played the Ninth Doctor and kickstarted BBC’s 2005 reboot, have stated their reluctance to return to Doctor Who for various reasons.
Tom Baker played the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who for seven consecutive seasons, which remains the longest period of time for any actor who has played the Time Lord, including those in both the classic and new series. As a result, the Fourth Doctor is considered a fan favorite and is one of the most iconic incarnations, so Tom Baker’s absence was sorely felt in Doctor Who’s “The Five Doctors” special. Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor was similarly famous for being the first Doctor in Doctor Who’s reboot, and his less eccentric personality provided a new and interesting take on the character.
Peter Capaldi’s Reasons For Not Returning Are Different From Tom Baker & Christopher Eccleston’s
Capaldi Has No Complaints Against Doctor Who
Interestingly, Peter Capaldi’s reasons for not returning to Doctor Who are very different from Tom Baker and Christopher Eccleston’s. Baker and Eccleston both left the show following disagreements with producers, among other things; Baker clashed with the new producer, John Nathan-Turner, and endured health problems, whereas Eccleston quit Doctor Who due to dissatisfaction with the treatment of himself and fellow actors during production. However, Capaldi departed Doctor Who with no complaints against the show, but instead cited to HELLO! that his reluctance to return was due to worries it would not be the same. Check out his full statement below:
I’m still a huge fan of Doctor Who. It’s not that I have anything against it, but there comes a time when you have to leave things alone. I can’t imagine the situation in which I’d be able to go back into it with enough influence over how it was going to be.
Capaldi also stated that, “We had a great time, so unless we can have that good a time, I wouldn’t want to do it.” Capaldi’s reasons for not wanting to return to Doctor Who propose a problem for Doctor Who fans who would like to see Capaldi again, especially with Stephen Moffat’s return to the show. Moffat’s season 14 Doctor Who episode “Boom” highlighted an injustice with Capaldi’s send-off, as Moffat claims that he didn’t love “Twice Upon A Time,” but unfortunately, Capaldi’s stance on returning means the Twelfth Doctor’s final episode won’t be redeemed for fans or Moffat.
Why Peter Capaldi Is Still More Likely To Return To Doctor Who Than Christopher Eccleston
Eccleston & Baker Have Clashed With Doctor Who Producers
Although the actor does not currently want to reappear in Doctor Who, Peter Capaldi is still more likely to return to the show than others like Christopher Eccleston because he was a well-loved variant of the Doctor. In fact, Peter Capaldi’s “Heaven Sent” was voted by fans as the best Doctor Who episode of all time due to its exploration of mortality and demonstration of why the Doctor survived for six decades. The Twelfth Doctor’s determination and inner strength was portrayed brilliantly by Peter Capaldi in “Heaven Sent,” showing that the actor has the following to make a successful return.
On the other hand, Tom Baker declined to pose for promotional photos with the other four Doctors in the 1983 special, “The Five Doctors,” due to his tumultuous history with the show. Baker would not take part as the Fourth Doctor had no interest in meeting the other Doctors of Doctor Who, and Baker has claimed that he avoids the actors “not with any malice” but with a “mildly contemptuous” attitude following his exit in 1981. While the actor did have a cameo in Doctor Who in 2013, Baker remains steadfast in his position against returning as the Doctor.
although the Twelfth Doctor’s actor has stated that he cannot see himself returning, Capaldi’s neutral departure means he is the most likely Doctor to reappear
Yet, the actor who is most unlikely to return to Doctor Who is still Christopher Eccleston. Following Eccleston’s exit from Doctor Who after just one season on the show, the actor has been very outspoken about his treatment by producers on set, and Christopher Eccleston has even outlined conditions of the Ninth Doctor’s return to Doctor Who, brutally calling for the resignation of specific producers. Therefore, although the Twelfth Doctor’s actor has stated that he cannot see himself returning, Capaldi’s neutral departure means he is the most likely Doctor to reappear in Doctor Who compared to Eccleston and Baker.
