'Doctor Who' Season 10 Release Date Delayed? Showrunner Steven Moffat Exiting Series In 2017

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer for BBC's "Doctor Who" will be stepping down as the series' showrunner.

Moffat will remain until the end of season 10, which the release date will be delayed until 2017.

"Feels odd to be talking about leaving when I'm just starting work on the scripts for season 10, but the fact is my timey-wimey is running out," Moffat told the BBC.

He will hand over the series over to Chris Chibnall, the showrunner for the detective series "Broadchurch" starring David Tennant. 

"Broadchurch" had the US adaptation titled "Gracepoint," which also starred Tennant.

"While Chris is doing his last run of 'Broadchurch,' I'll be finishing up on the best job in the universe and keeping the TARDIS warm for him," Moffat explained.

Chibnall, a childhood fan of the sci-fi series, is set to take over in 2018 following the release date of "Doctor Who" season 10 in 2017.

"'Doctor Who" is the ultimate BBC program: bold, unique, vastly entertaining and adored all around the world," Chibnall added. 

"So it's a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama. I've loved 'Doctor Who' since I was 4 years old, and I'm relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore."

According to TV.com, Moffat joined the series in season 5 and is responsible for writing some of the most popular episodes to date, including "Blink," which introduced stone angels transforming into terrifying creatures, "Silence in the Library" and "Forest of the Dead," which introduced Alex Kingston as the time-travelling River Song.

Highlights of his career with the program include the series' 50th anniversary special in 2013, which introduced David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor.

"Doctor Who" season 10 release date is set in spring of 2017 and will run for 12 episodes, Den of Geek reported.