Capaldi Slams Doctor Who Fans for Overreacting

star criticised the  show's fans for taking the sci-fi series 'so seriously'.

The actor, 68, played the Twelfth Doctor from 2013 to 2017, before being succeeded in the lead role by .

Speaking to The Times, Peter was asked about viewers who branded the show '' by casting Jodie and later her successor  as the Doctor.

He said: '[Doctor Who] reflects its times and it’s a good thing in the world, though it’s become a bit too big, too important for the BBC or whoever.

'When I was a kid and watched it, it was just a monster show in the corner of the room. I don’t know why people take it so seriously.'

Jodie, 43, who , was the first woman to play the titular character.

Meanwhile, Ncuti, who starred from 2023 to 2025, was the first black Doctor and his iteration of the character was openly queer.

Speaking as part of Vanity Fair's Hollywood issue in 2024, Ncuti said he felt 'warmth and love' from many Doctor Who fans since taking on the role, but the negative reaction from some 'affected' him.

He said: 'I wouldn't be the only Black lead that's taken over a sci-fi franchise that would have received that sort of treatment. 

'Unfortunately, those are voices that exist in sci-fi fandoms—but they're not the only voices. 

'I just remember feeling a lot of warmth and love, being embraced into a big nerd family. When we're shooting there are fans outside the studio or on location every single time, be it at 4am, be it minus-12 degrees. 

'I think that's beautiful, what the show means to them, so I concentrate on that more than anything. I don't want to invalidate the very real thing that is racism, homophobia. 

'I don't act as if they don't exist or they don't affect me. They do. But I try to pay it no mind and look at the many, many positives that came from joining the Whoniverse.'

It comes as a Doctor Who legend critiqued the sci-fi show 'isn't a patch on what it was' - as two long-lost episodes aired at long last after 63 years.

Peter Purves, 87, played Steven Taylor - who accompanied the First Doctor (William Hartnell) - from 1965 to 1966.

After his time on the BBC show, Peter went on to be a host on Blue Peter for more than a decade.

Speaking to The Mirror, he reflected on his time in Doctor Who, when compared to the more contemporary run.

Peter said: 'It was the golden era. I don’t think the show is a patch on what it was.'

Earlier this year, two missing episodes of Doctor Who from the 1960s were found among a 'ramshackle' collection of vintage films.

The two episodes, The Nightmare Begins and Devil’s Planet, were from the third series entitled The Daleks’ Master Plan.

They starred William Hartnell as the Doctor and Peter as his companion Steven Taylor, as well as Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon, Adrienne Hill as Katarina, and Kevin Stoney as Mavic Chen.

The stories, which were written by Terry Nation, hadn't been seen since they aired on TV in the UK and were assumed to be lost forever.

But charitable trust Film is Fabulous! discovered them in a private collection and BBC Archives worked to restore the original 16mm telerecordings.

Director of BBC Archives, Noreen Adams, said of the exciting news: 'We’re thrilled to have worked with the team at Film is Fabulous! to bring these lost Doctor Who episodes to viewers on BBC iPlayer this Easter.

'BBC Archives has been working to restore the original recordings and update these to broadcast quality, ensuring fans can enjoy a little extra treat with their Easter Eggs this April.'