Doctor Who star Matt Smith approves of Chris Chibnall’s appointment as current showrunner Steven Moffat’s replacement.

Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall was announced as the new lead writer of Doctor Who last month and his first season will launch in 2018.

Chibnall wrote several Doctor Who episodes for the Eleventh Doctor, including ‘Dinosaurs on a Spaceship’ and ‘The Power of Three’.

Matt Smith has been chatting with DS to promote the release of his new movie, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Asked how he expects Chibnall’s take on Doctor Who will differ from Steven Mofat, he responded: “That’s a huge question. I don’t know him that well but I think he’s a brilliant writer, I think he understands the show, the history of the show, the legacy.”

He added: “I think he writes the Doctor really brilliantly, which is important. I think he’ll have a really good interesting grand plan and you know, I can’t wait to see what he’ll do. I’m one hundred per cent behind him.”

Smith also revealed that he’d be up for returning as the Doctor in audio stories for Big Finish.

Based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s 2009 novel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies arrives in UK cinemas this Thursday.

The new season of Doctor Who is expected to begin filming in May.

> Here’s everything we know so far about Season 10.

What are your hopes for Chris Chibnall’s era? Let us know below…