‘Doctor Who’: Matt Smith may be regenerating as himself after Peter Capaldi leaves

Matt Smith may be the first “Doctor Who” star to return in his role as the Doctor. A new report says showrunner Steven Moffat has hinted that the youngest actor ever to play the time-travelling Gallifreyan Time Lord could regenerate as himself after Peter Capaldi leaves the show.

The Mirror claims the Twelfth Doctor (Capaldi) could regenerate back to the Eleventh Doctor (Smith). It says Moffat has hinted about it. If that should prove true, then Smith would be the first “Doctor Who” titular star to leave and come back in the same starring role.

It appears the paper relied the report on a quote from Moffat, which said Smith is “quite open about how much he misses it, and how much he wishes he hadn’t left.” He added that Smith’s decision to leave the UK show was a “tough time,” saying, “Matt, who was a friend and ally, was leaving. I couldn’t get him to stay. It felt like everything was blowing up around me.”

And if given the chance, Smith would return. He allegedly told a fan that he “really want” to return in the show to play the Doctor again.

If that is the paper’s only basis for Smith’s possible return, the report is tenuous at best. Although Smith’s time was celebrated, his storyline has ended. A guest appearance, like how the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) did on the 50th anniversary special “The Day of the Doctor,” would perhaps be the better case.

Smith is also occupied after his Doctor Who era. He will be starring in the US TV drama “The Crown” as Prince Philip, and will be in the horror film “Patient Zero.”

For the record, the show has 13 Doctors so far, this is including the War Doctor (John Hurt), who was inserted in the 50^th anniversary special. Apart from a few special guest appearances, none of the Doctors – William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, Tennant, Smith and Capaldi – have returned in the show as regenerated version of themselves.

Also read: Female ‘Doctor Who’: Cartoon Time Ladies version of the Gallifreyan Time Lords

Capaldi has been rumoured to leave the show after the end of 2017, the same time as Moffat’s departure. “Broadchurch” creator Chris Chibnall is taking over Moffat’s showrunnning duties, and he allegedly wanted a fresh start on the series, which could mean he needed a new Doctor.

The 57-year-old Scottish actor admitted he had been asked to stay but he hadn’t decided yet if he would. For now, he is busy shooting the 10^th season with new companion Bill (Pearl Mackie).

Read: ‘Doctor Who’ Peter Capaldi maybe leaving show; Stars who could become the next Time Lord/Lady [PHOTOS]