Chris Chibnall to Replace Steven Moffat as DOCTOR WHO Showrunner, Series 10 in 2017

So, will this finally silence disgruntled Doctor Who fans?  No, probably not.

Radio Times has revealed that controversial Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has decided to step down after the show's next season.  According to the article, BBC1 will air Series Ten with Moffat's final twelve episodes in Spring 2017, with only a Christmas special airing in 2016.  The news has been confirmed on the BBC's official Doctor Who site.

Moffat will be followed as head writer and executive producer by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall in 2018 for Series Eleven, presumably with a new Thirteenth Doctor.as well.

Chibnall is no stranger to Doctor Who, after writing the episodes "42," "The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood," "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship," and "The Power of Three," as well as the mini-episodes "Pond Life" and "P.S."  He also wrote several episodes of Torchwood and two episodes of the original UK version of Life On Mars.

Moffat commented on the decision, remarking, "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.  It took a lot of gin and tonic to talk him into this, but I am beyond delighted that one of the true stars of British Television drama will be taking the Time Lord even further into the future.  At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of Doctor Who.  And I will be thrown in a skip.”

Chibnall added his remarks as well, saying, "Doctor Who is the ultimate BBC programme: bold, unique, vastly entertaining, and adored all around the world.  So it's a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama.  I’ve loved Doctor Who since I was four years old, and I’m relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore.  Steven’s achieved the impossible by continually expanding Doctor Who's creative ambition, while growing its global popularity.  He’s been a dazzling and daring showrunner, and hearing his plans and stories for 2017, it’s clear he’ll be going out with a bang.  Just to make my life difficult."

BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore explained the decision to hold Moffat’s last series until 2017, saying "I have decided to schedule Steven’s big finale series in Spring 2017 to bring the nation together for what will be a huge event on the channel.   2016 is spoilt with national moments including the Euros and Olympics and I want to hold something big back for 2017.  I promise it will be worth the wait!"

Moore takes over as super controller at the BBC next month, thanked Moffat and welcomed Chibnall.  "I want to thank Steven Moffat for everything he has given Doctor Who," she said. "I’ve loved working with him, he is an absolute genius and has brought fans all over the world such joy.  I will be very sad to see him leave the show, but I can’t wait to see what he will deliver in his last ever series next year with a brand new companion.  I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Chris Chibnall, a wonderfully talented writer who I know will bring something very special to the hit series."