A study found that female characters have fewer lines in his scripts.

Steven Moffat has denied that Doctor Who has become ‘more misogynist’ under his watch, after a study found that female characters had fewer lines on the show since he took over as lead writer.

The study, which was carried out by US university students, determined that female characters had more speaking roles and more speaking time under his predecessor Russell T Davies.

Admitting it was a “complicated issue”, Moffat told the Radio Times: “The general point being made by these people is correct. We need better female role models on screen.”However, he went on to take issue with the study, saying: “Maybe this is my dimwittery but I do not understand why Doctor Who of all shows is singled out as misogynist.

“I’m sure I’m to the left of a lot of my detractors.”
The news comes after Jenna Coleman made her final appearance as Clara Oswald on the show last weekend.

Speaking of her departure, Moffat said: “Doctor Who does that form of bereavement rather well.”We have an emotionally engaged hero and those women he knows are not like James Bond girls. They don’t just disappear between movies. When the Doctor ends a friendship, it tears him apart.”