Former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi says the sci-fi franchise may have grown too big for its own good. The actor, who played the Twelfth Doctor from 2014 to 2017, told the Half Picture podcast that the series had lost some of its charm since becoming a global brand.
“I think the show is a little bit of a victim of its success,” Capaldi told Den of Geek. He described the original Doctor Who he loved as something “tiny” that “just survived.” The Scottish actor said the series once had a quiet appeal, connecting deeply with a small group of fans rather than trying to reach everyone.
Capaldi explained that in the early years, Doctor Who was modest television. “It was just a show that some kids really loved,” he said. “It became this sort of very important thing… less in a cultural way and more in an economic way.” He added that the role of the Doctor now comes with far greater responsibilities and public exposure than in the days of Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker, when actors could largely focus on filming the show without the pressure of maintaining a brand.
The show’s rise mirrors the shift that Capaldi describes. In the 2000s revival led by Russell T Davies, Doctor Who was a strong performer for the BBC but still carried a cult status overseas. By Matt Smith’s era in 2010, it had become a synchronized global broadcast watched by millions. During Jodie Whittaker’s tenure, the series began to chase the prestige-drama aesthetic of larger streaming competitors, culminating in a high-profile partnership with Disney+ that made the program accessible to a wider international audience.
Ncuti and Russell T in happier timesBut the expansion has had mixed results. Recent seasons under returning showrunner Davies and new lead Ncuti Gatwa delivered the lowest episode ratings in the show’s modern history. Disney has since ended its exclusive deal, leaving the BBC once again as the sole distributor. Executives insist the show will continue, but viewer fatigue appears to be setting in.
2025 brought another first for the long-running franchise: no Christmas or New Year’s special for the first time in two decades. Analysts say this pause may signal a turning point. Doctor Who has now been back longer than it was off the air, and its core fan base has aged along with it. New viewers face an overly complicated entry point, while older fans have decided the franchise has lost its core identity.
Capaldi’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among longtime followers who believe Doctor Who might need to step back before it can move forward. Some suggest a rest period to recharge the concept. Others call for a return to the show’s simple roots — an adventure series made for families, not a massive global production weighed down by its own expectations.
Whatever the next step, the question now facing the BBC is clear: can Doctor Who ever manage to rediscover what first made it special, or will its success continue to outgrow its heart?
English (US) · 