Steven Moffat has revealed that even he doesn’t know how long Matt Smith will stay on Doctor Who, revealing that the whole production takes things a year at a time.
Speaking at the press conference in which new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman was unveiled (after escaping a bag by riding on the back of a cat) as Karen Gillan’s replacement, The Grand Moff said:
“Honestly we don’t know [how long he'll stay]. We take it a year at a time and that’s the only sensible way you can go with it. It takes a huge amount of time, filming a series of Doctor Who and towards the end of that, you have to consider whether you’re going to push on to another one.”
Of course, Steven Moffat doesn’t want his star to leave anymore than we do. The Eleventh Doctor has been something of a revelation, especially coming on the back of the very popular Tenth Doctor. Not only that, but casting a new Doctor would mean a lot more PR work – interviews and appearances – for the Moffat which can detract from the main task of making episodes.
“We’ll keep him as long as we can, that’s the absolute truth.”
We’ll hold you to that, Steven!
When it comes down to it, it’s a chore just to organise the mountain of PR for companion – for a new Doctor it must be insane…
Were I ever to be the main character in a DW-spinoff, however, it would be done when it’s done!
I reckon they have a rough plan to be honest and he’s being coy. But Matt should stay for a long long time.
It is great to hear that. I just hope that Matt Smith is not under the same spell that Tennant was, thinking that their great adoration that they received from so many as the doctor will instantly cause them to be a “hot item” for movies and television.
The fact is, it’s a destination job, not a rung on a ladder.