Outgoing Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has confirmed that the Doctor’s companion Bill did not die in the show’s series finale which aired last night (July 1). He confirmed the news on Doctor Who: The Fan Show – The Aftershow.
“I don’t think she is dead. She doesn’t die,” he said. “I don’t think Doctor Who is that kind of show. Doctor Who is a big-hearted, optimistic show that believes in kindness and love and that wisdom will triumph in the end.
“I don’t believe it’s the kind of show that says there are bitter, twisted, nasty endings because it’s not. It’s not gritty – it’s aspirational. It says, ‘It can work. And wisdom and kindness will triumph. And love will always come through in the end.’
“I think there aren’t enough people or enough shows saying that and I’m damned if Doctor Who is going to join in with the general chorus of despair. So, she doesn’t die. She nearly dies and becomes something else.”
Whilst the fan favourite character’s ending was left ambiguous, something that has certainly been confirmed is the return of the First Doctor, with David Bradley making an appearance in the episode before the credits rolled.
He made his comeback as Peter Capaldi’s Doctor began the regeneration process, after being shot. Refusing to go through with the process however, things went a little differently, as Bradley’s character arrived.
Both he and Capaldi will now lead the dual-Doctor Christmas special episode, with the Thirteenth Doctor also set to make his or her debut.
Doctor Who returns for its Christmas Special on BBC One on December 25, 2017.
