The Doctor Who panel at San Diego Comic Con got emotional over the weekend. For those gathered, it was as much a celebration of Peter Capaldi’s time as the Doctor — and Steven Moffat’s tenure as showrunner — as it was a sneak peek at the upcoming Christmas special.
Following a video presentation celebrating Capaldi’s time as the Doctor (which can be viewed in the tweet above), the 6500 people in Hall H gave the 59-year-old Scottish actor a standing ovation.
Visibly moved, Capaldi turned the standing ovation into a celebration not just of his own time on the show, but of the other cast and creators sitting on the stage, standing up and telling them each just how important their contribution has been. Here’s what he said to each of them…
To Steven Moffat:
Every shot you saw there came through this gentleman’s mind, through his eyes, through his sensitibility, through his generosity. He’s put together an incredible team. He’s an incredibly gifted artist, but the message of kindness comes from his heart and also the creation of a female Doctor comes, really, from the creation of a female Master … So, Jodie, the idea of a Time Lord being both male and female came from Steven.
To Michelle Gomez (as part of the above mention of the Master/Missy):
[Missy was] played so beautifully by Michelle, who has delivered a multi-layered, hilarious, sinister, and fabulous performance for which I am deeply grateful.
To Pearl Mackie (Bill Potts):
Pearl has been an absolutely magnificent new contribution to the show. She stepped into this juggernaut and brought us a real living character in Bill Potts who has her feet on the ground and her heart in the stars, which is where we all want to be, right?
To Matt Lucas (Nardole):
Matt has come along and delivered a fabulous creation, a whole brand new thing: an alien being who’s a sidekick who’s a little bit scary, a little bit funny and a huge contribution to this show and who’s come into it with a generosity of spirit and kindness because this is a man who is immensely famous, immensely talented who stepped up to the plate for our show with humiliy and grace and made Season 10 one of the most special seasons ever.
To Mark Gatiss:
What can I say about Mark? He’s a great friend, a great lover and supporter of Doctor Who. I know that sounds a bit odd that Doctor Who needs lovers and supporters but this show hasn’t always enjoyed the success it enjoys at the moment. It’s not always been the most popular show to hang your coat on. Mark has always been there for the show. He’s written some of the most fabulous episodes and I’m so thrilled that he’s finally been able to appear on the show and that I was able to act with him, so thank you very much.
“I just made a big speech there,” Capaldi said at the end of his time singling out the talents of each of his colleagues, seemingly surprised that it happened, but obviously heartfelt in his praise. All in all, it was a very Doctor-y thing to do. It was passionate and it was kind.