EXCLUSIVE: "It's Not A Fairytale" - Steven Moffat Talks Doctor Who Series 8

Showrunner Steven Moffat has spoken exclusively to SFX about the new series of Doctor Who . And he promises Peter Capaldi's arrival will bring a fresh tone to the Doctor's adventures, highlighting the perils of travelling at the Time Lord's side.

“We want to make it feel that these adventures can hurt…”

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Moffat also gives an insight into Capaldi's take on the Doctor.

“He’s not as immediately approachable and he’s not necessarily looking for your approval. I would like to restore the sense that when he says ‘Wait here, I’ll be back’ you really hope he’ll be back, but you’re not absolutely convinced… What he’s not doing is reassuring you very much."

And the Doctor's new persona will have a major impact on his relationship with companion Clara, played by Jenna Coleman.

“From a Doctor she could sort of control, because he had a crush on her, she’s landed with a Doctor who barely registers that she’s a girl. They’re great friends and all that but she has to be his human interface with everybody else.”

You can read more from this interview - including Steven Moffat's exclusive episode-by-episode preview of the new series - in SFX 251 on sale this Wednesday.

Nick Setchfield

Doctor Who returns to BBC One on Saturday 23 August.

Nick Setchfield is the Editor-at-Large for SFX Magazine, writing features, reviews, interviews, and more for the monthly issues. However, he is also a freelance journalist and author with Titan Books. His original novels are called The War in the Dark, and The Spider Dance. He's also written a book on James Bond called Mission Statements.