Moff On Matt: "That's What We're Losing"

Steven Moffat has been speaking to EntertainmentWise about Matt Smith's final episode of Doctor Who, filming for which began this week.

The showrunner praised Smith's performance, saying the departing star is "at the height of his powers".

"It's hard to let go - watching him on set... he's so heartbreakingly good," Moffat continued, "he's so funny, so clever, so inventive."

Smith filming scenes for the Christmas special with co-star Jenna Coleman

Moffat's attention the turned to the incoming Twelfth (Thirteenth?) Doctor. "[Peter] is a brilliant actor and he wanted the part, so that was it." It seems that finding a new star is a somewhat bittersweet experience in many ways, though. Moffat muses "You get all excited about the new doctor and then you go back and you see Matt on his first day back on set, and you think, 'Oh my God, that's what we're losing'."

Matt's last episode is expected to air Christmas Day 2013, and also stars Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi.

But before then there's the small matter of "The Day Of The Doctor" on November 23rd...