# Steven Moffat

Steven Moffat (born 18 November 1961) is a Scottish television writer and producer, who was lead writer and executive producer of Doctor Who from 2010 to 2017, as well as a primary writer on Sherlock from 2010 to 2017.

## Quotes

* When you run with the Doctor, it feels like it'll never end. But however hard you try you can't run forever. Everybody knows that everybody dies and nobody knows it like the Doctor. But I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever, for one moment, accepts it.
** Lines written for River Song, in Forest of the Dead [4.9] (7 June 2008)
* Everybody knows that everybody dies. But not every day. Not today. Some days are special. Some days are so, so blessed. Some days, nobody dies at all. Now and then, every once in a very long while, every day in a million days, when the wind stands fair and the Doctor comes to call, everybody lives.
** Lines written for River Song, in Forest of the Dead [4.9] (7 June 2008)
* We saw some amazing actresses for this part. But when Karen came through the door, the game was up — she was funny, clever, gorgeous and sexy. Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it. A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too.
** On casting Karen Gillan as Amy Pond, as quoted in "Doctor Who assistant is unveiled" 29 May 2009)
* I'm not a psychopath, Anderson, I'm a high-functioning sociopath. Do your research.
** Lines written for Sherlock Holmes in the first Sherlock episode, A Study in Pink (25 July 2010)
* As we all know, it is the proper duty of every British subject to come to the aid of the TARDIS.
** On turning down The Adventures of TinTin 2 in favor of writing for Doctor Who.
* What would be the point of having this job if I didn't get to make up some of the maddest possible scenes I've ever had in my head since I was a kid? For him to stand there and take the mickey out of all those monsters — is just hugely exciting.
** On writing a scene of the eleventh incarnation of The Doctor confronting his enemies in The Pandorica Opens, in an interview in Doctor Who Rewind (2011) by BBC America
* First there were the Daleks...And then there was a man who fought them. And then, in time — he died. There are a few, of course, who believe that this man somehow survived, and that one day he will return. For both our sakes, dearest Hannah, we must hope these stories are true.
** Lines about the Doctor, written for Darla, in Asylum of the Daleks (1 September 2012)
* Do you know how you make someone into a Dalek? Subtract Love, add Anger.
** Lines written for Oswin Oswald, in Asylum of the Daleks (1 September 2012)
* I think people have come to think a plot hole is something which isn’t explained on screen. A plot hole is actually something that can’t be explained.
** On his handling of Sherlock Holmes's faked death, as quoted in Sherlock creator denies plot holes in BBC drama (6 January 2014)
* I want people to stop saying it. It is witless. It is appalling that in the face of people's genuine tragedy and traumatic loss, you trot out a stock phrase. What is the matter with you? "Thoughts and prayers?" How about you send money? I mean, how about you send some help? How about you do something? "Thoughts and prayers" is, "Nevermind. Oh, well." I thought that if I can just get it in there like, "Exterminate," as what evil robots say, then maybe people will stop saying that idiotic phrase.
** On the phrase "Thoughts and prayers" as quoted in Steven Moffat Explains What Makes "Boom" A Defining Doctor Who Episode For Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor

## External links

* Profile at IMDb
* Steven Moffat profile at Hartswood Films
* Audio interview with Moffat at the Doctor Who series two press launch
* StevenMoffat.net The Moff. Thrilling adventures in Time & Space. And Norbridge.
* Steven Moffat on Twitter