Peter Capaldi hopes to star on 'Doctor Who' for 'a long time'

LONDON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Peter Capaldi hopes to remain on Doctor Who for "a long time" to come.

The 58-year-old Scottish actor discussed his future with the long-running BBC One series on Sunday's episode of The Andrew Marr Show.

"I don't want to escape the idea that I'm Doctor Who. It's finite. I won't be Doctor Who forever, so there will be a day when people don't come and say hello," he said. "[But the end won't happen] for a long time. I hope."

Capaldi first appeared on the show's 50th anniversary special in 2013, and has starred as the Twelfth Doctor in three seasons since. He said in the interview that taking on the iconic role has been a big responsibility but also "very nice."

"It's a really unique position to be in. There are only 12 people who've played this role, and you become the focus of the affection for the role," the star said.

"The Doctor is a good thing in the world, and I think people feel a deep affection for whatever Doctor it was they grew up with," he reflected. "Sometimes I walk into a room and there'll be some kids there and they'll gasp. That's a wonderful feeling. Can you imagine how lovely it is to have such affection pointed in your direction?"

Capaldi previously told RadioTimes that the BBC has asked him to stay on following showrunner Steven Moffat's departure after Season 10. The series will air a Christmas special Dec. 25, and premiere a 10th season in April 2017.

"I've been asked to stay on, but it's such a long time before I have to make that decision," he said in March. "I don't know where the show's gonna go afterward."