❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Steven Moffat: 'I was vilified endlessly as Doctor Who showrunner'

The screenwriter was left puzzled and frustrated by "omni-bigot" accusations.

Steven Moffat standing on the set of Doctor Who episode Boom, with a fiery and smoky backdrop of rubble, and actors and crew members out of focus behind him. He has a pair of headphones around his neck and is smiling at the camera.

BBC Studios/James Pardon

Published: Monday, 9 September 2024 at 10:22 am

Subscribe to Radio Times – 5 weeks for £2

Steven Moffat has spoken out against personal attacks on him during his time running Doctor Who.

Ad

The screenwriter took over from Russell T Davies, overseeing adventures with the Eleventh (Matt Smith) and Twelfth (Peter Capaldi) Doctors as well as their companions, of course.

While his tenure on the show is generally fondly remembered, there was some criticism of it at the time, and still today, over certain creative decisions that he made.

During an appearance at Toronto International Film Festival (via The Hollywood Reporter) he characterised the backlash as extreme, saying: "The level of hate you get could down three passenger jets. I mean, seriously, it doesn’t stop."

Moffat continued: "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."

Moffat suggested that the experience was the closest that he came to being 'cancelled', which is the subject of his recent ITV drama Douglas is Cancelled, but added that any Doctor Who showrunner is regarded as "chief Satan of the nation" at some point.

A side-by-side image of Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi portraying the Doctor in "Doctor Who"; Matt Smith on the left in a tweed jacket and bow tie, Peter Capaldi on the right in a dark coat and white shirt.

Moffat was showrunner during the runs of the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors. BBC

A particularly enduring strain of criticism for the screenwriter has been depiction of female characters – in Doctor Who and Sherlock – but Moffat has repeatedly hit back at his detractors on those grounds.

"I’m continually told I can’t write [women]. Well, for someone who can’t write them, I’ve done it very successfully a lot of times," he told The Times over the summer.

"And I never get an answer to that. Or the answer is, 'Well, I don’t like those characters'. And I go, 'OK. Well that’s not really the point you’re making'."

Moffat returned to Doctor Who after a long absence for season 14's Boom and has also penned the upcoming Christmas special Joy to the World, in which he'll debut a new character played by Nicola Coughlan (of Bridgerton and Derry Girls fame).

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Ad

Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of David Craig, smiling against a lime green background.

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...