Steven Moffat on Doctor Who, Sherlock, and the Essence of Storytelling
Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat recently shared his fascinating insights on the legacy of the beloved sci-fi series, his work on Sherlock , and his views on storytelling at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Moffat, well-known for his sharp wit and storytelling prowess, has long been celebrated for his ability to reimagine iconic characters. He’s also gearing up to hit an impressive milestone: this Christmas, he’ll have written his fiftieth Doctor Who episode with the release of the holiday special "Joy to the World."
At TIFF, Moffat shared his thoughts on what makes Doctor Who so unique in television history. He noted, "It’s the single greatest TV format ever devised...you can switch out the star." This flexibility has allowed the series to adapt and evolve with each new Doctor, making it timeless. Moffat joked that every actor who’s played the Doctor believes they’re the "real one," creating quite a bit of rivalry and humor, especially in families like David Tennant's, where the love for the character runs deep.
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Moffat also used Doctor Who as a lens to discuss the concept of storytelling, especially in relation to reboots. He remarked that "all stories are reboots," an idea perfectly illustrated in Doctor Who each time the Doctor regenerates. According to Moffat, every retelling of a story — whether it's James Bond , Sherlock Holmes , or the Doctor’s adventures — is essentially a reboot, as each creator interprets the story in their own way. He noted that Bond, for instance, was just author Ian Fleming’s take on spy adventures inspired by characters like Richard Hannay from John Buchan’s novels, adding humorously that Bond just happens to “have sex more often.”
Moffat’s humor came through as he critiqued Sherlock Holmes , a character he’s known for revitalizing alongside co-creator Mark Gatiss. He joked that Holmes would struggle with modern true crime cases, often just finding people's actions “stupid” rather than sinister. For him, many real-life criminals lack the intelligence that makes fictional cases so intriguing, often committing crimes in shockingly foolish ways. He humorously noted that banking might be a more profitable and safer path to wealth than a life of crime, as financial misconduct often flies under the radar.
Yet, despite his celebrated work, Moffat acknowledged that leading Doctor Who and Sherlock came with its challenges, particularly online criticism. In his words, running these shows garnered so much hostility that he could have "brought down three passenger jets" with the intensity of the backlash he faced. He humorously noted that during his tenure, he was accused of nearly every form of bigotry. "I could only be described as an omni-bigot," he quipped, summing up the absurdity of such accusations. Over time, he realized that criticism is simply part of the job, especially with a fanbase as passionate as Doctor Who’s . He praised his successor, Russell T. Davies, who has since taken up the mantle once more, humorously calling him the "Chief Satan of the Nation" in the eyes of vocal internet critics.
Moffat’s legacy in Doctor Who and Sherlock has certainly left a lasting impact, one that continues to inspire new generations of fans and storytellers. His humor, insights, and unflagging dedication to his craft make him a beloved figure in British television, one whose work has redefined how we think about classic characters and long-running series. As fans eagerly await his fiftieth Doctor Who episode, it's clear that Moffat’s contributions to storytelling are far from over.
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