Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat recently shared some of the criticism he received during his 7-year stint at the head of the beloved sci-fi series. Despite contributing to some of the most acclaimed moments in Doctor Who history, Moffat faced intense negativity from fans before ultimately departing the series in 2017 — although he has since returned for one-off episodes and, most recently, the 2024 Christmas special entitled “Joy to the World.”
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, Moffat recalled a few of the controversies he experienced during his work on Doctor Who. Moffat jokingly noted that anyone taking on the role of Doctor Who showrunner will be seen as “chief Satan of the nation” at some point, elaborating:
“The level of hate you get could down three passenger jets. I mean, seriously, it doesn’t stop. I was vilified endlessly. I was a homophobe, misandrist and a misanthrope and a sexist and misogynist and a racist. I was against so many people I could only be described as an omni- bigot, which I would suggest means I’m treating everybody equally.”
However, criticisms of Moffat’s Doctor Who were not isolated to political differences. Many fans also disagreed with the narrative choices Moffat made as the lead writer of the series, with one Reddit user eloquently describing Moffat’s typically convoluted plots as “a Russian doll of mysteries.” But despite the negativity Moffat faced during his time as showrunner, fans have almost universally praised his stand-alone episodes, with installments like “Blink” and “Silence in the Library” earning some of the highest ratings the show has experienced since its revival in 2005.
Doctor Who Showrunners United By Criticism
Despite Doctor Who‘s wildly successful legacy, with its original run lasting from 1963-1989, a 1996 TV movie, and a relaunch occurring in 2005, criticism seems to be an integral part of the show’s history. For example, showrunner Chris Chibnall faced harsh backlash after changing the Doctor’s gender by casting actress Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor in 2017. Now, with director Russell T. Davies back at the helm following his first run as showrunner from 2005 to 2010, the show is under fire again for casting a Black man (Ncuti Gatwa) as the Fifteenth Doctor. Multiple LGBTQ+ characters have also been criticized throughout Doctor Who‘s history, including Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie).
Undeterred by a seemingly unique talent for attracting criticism from all angles, the future of Doctor Who seems as bright as ever. The most recent season debuted with a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans can expect to see the Doctor return again for an eagerly-awaited Christmas special that puts Moffat in the writer’s chair once again.