Doctor Who series 9 introduces more comedy as the Doctor orders a dose of fun

A GOOD splash of double Scotch is set to put some jovial spirit back into Doctor Who.

It may be filmed in Cardiff, but the BBC’s iconic sci-fi favourite is firmly Scottish to the core.

Time Lord Peter Capaldi and the show’s writer and producerSteven Moffat were brought up a few miles either side of Glasgow, Capaldi in Bishopbriggs and Moffat in Paisley.

Fans were split on Capaldi’s debut in the last series as the 12th incarnation of the time traveller was moodier and grumpier than predecessor Matt Smith.

But both Capaldi and Moffat say that the prescription for the Doctor this time is a dose of sheer old fashioned fun.

“I think it’s a big, mad and exciting series,” said Moffat, 53.

“You’ll be grinning a lot more, there’s more comedy mixed in with some of the darkest stuff we’ve done Doctor’s first big entrance kind of sets the tone.

“It’s the glory years of the Doctor and Clara.

“They’ve been through the angst, the Doctor has been through his fear of not being a good man and Clara has been through her fear this might not be the Doctor.

“They’re on equal footing with a new dynamic between them and are relishing the Universe.

“They are clearly heroes and loving every minute!”

And having already had a series to get used to being one of the most famous characters on the small screen, Capaldi agrees there’s a bit more light with the shade this time round.

“Everyone’s become enthused with the spirit of adventure that runs through the scripts, it’s been exciting,” he says.

“I think viewer will find a lot of thrills, lot of mystery, a reckless Doctor in pursuit of adventure.

“It’s very thrilling, hopefully full of spectacle and adventure – it’s not a sitting back, domesticated, reflective series. So I think it’s great, it should be a fun watch for audiences at home.”

Reflecting on his first series as the Doctor was something Peter had to do with DVDs in his trailer as he admits that his wife Elaine Collins doesn’t let him watch at home.

There was huge speculation last year that Jenna Coleman was going to call time on her stint as faithful companion Clara Oswald.

But the former Emmerdale star is happily back and Peter says they’re closer than ever.

“It’s a very curious relationship,” he admits.

“It doesn’t really have an equivalent in television.

“It’s a non-romantic, but deeply bonded pairing which is strangely full of affection.”

Plenty old favourites return in the new series, including, in the first episode, baddie Missy, played by another Scot Michelle Gomez.

Also back are the most famous of all the Daleks.

And as a lifelong fan of the series Peter was desperate to run the show’s official fan club aged 14 filming with them is still a thrill.

“They were great fun and do what is expected of them,” he reveals.

“You get a whole group of them together in the opening episode. I think we had about 20 of them in the studio which was very exciting.

“It was like being in a Dalek theme park with a free ticket, so that was fun.”

Now 57, Capaldi is the oldest Doctor yet and he has conceded that his time in the TARDIS will come to an end one day “which may be sooner rather than later”.

But his fellow Scot is making the most of the present, including showcasing the Thick Of It star in a solo episode.

“We’re pushing the boundaries once again with the most experimental episode Doctor Who has ever made,” adds Moffat.

“I’ve written a one-hander for the Doctor.

“I can’t tell you too much about this, but it’s certainly unique and a big first for the show!” Doctor Who BBC1, Saturday, 7.40pm.