Billie Piper remained a part of Doctor Who even after leaving (Picture: BBC)

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has said that the show ‘belonged’ to Billie Piper following its reboot in 2005.

Piper, who played Rose Tyler, left in 2005 at the end of the second series, but the character remained a part of the show, returning for several episodes in series four.

And speaking at the Edinburgh Festival’s Ad-Lib event, Moffat said that the actress was ‘perfectly cast’ in the role.

‘I think those first two years, it was Billie Piper’s show,’ he said. ‘It was all about Billie and Billie as Rose.


‘Russell T Davies was so clever in creating that character and casting that character so perfectly.’

Piper will return for the 50th anniversay special which will also feature Matt Smith and David Tennant (Picture: BBC)

He added: “She has a bigger status than most of those companions and really seriously, for the first two years, that was Billie Piper’s show and she was amazing. Let’s not forget how amazing she was.’



Piper is set to return to the Doctor Who fray yet again when she stars alongside Matt Smith and David Tennant in the 50th anniversary special, due to be screened in November.

Meanwhile Moffat has also revealed that Hobbit director Peter Jackson may well be in line to direct an episode of the show.

‘He’s serious about it,’ he admitted. ‘We talked about it at the Hobbit premiere – he just wants a Dalek.

‘So we’ll give him a Dalek and he’ll direct an episode. I think he’d like us to go to New Zealand.’