'Doctor Who' season 10 release date news: New season coming out earlier than expected?

Many fans of the long-running British sci-fi series "Doctor Who" were understandably bummed last year when it was announced that the show's season 10 release date was being pushed back from 2016 to 2017. Fortunately, series star Peter Capaldi appeared to have revealed that the highly anticipated season 10 could be here sooner than expected.

When it was confirmed that "Doctor Who" season 10 had been delayed to a 2017 premiere from its original 2016 release date, fans had anticipated that the new season will debut sometime in the fall. Before this, however, "Doctor Who" will be back for its annual Christmas episode, giving fans just enough of their "Doctor Who" fix to tide them over for another half year.

But during a recent visit of "Doctor Who" fans on the season 10 set, Capaldi seemed to have slipped and revealed that the new season will be out in April. A video posted to Twitter shows the "Doctor Who" star posing for photos with fans. In the clip, the actor is heard saying that "Doctor Who" will be back on air on Christmas before the series "starts again in April."

While this is not an official confirmation of the "Doctor Who" season 10 premiere, it doesn't seem like Capaldi is toying with the fans either.

An earlier release date isn't the only major surprise from the new season of "Doctor Who." Season 10 will also introduce Bill, the Doctor's new travel buddy, who will be played by Pearl Mackie. Jenna Coleman, who portrayed Clara Oswald, the Doctor's former companion, left at the end of the previous season to focus on her new series, "Victoria."

There has also been speculation that Matt Smith, who played the Eleventh Doctor, is returning to "Doctor Who" in its upcoming tenth season.

Meanwhile, Steven Moffat, who is stepping down from his position as "Doctor Who" showrunner at the end of season 10, recently said that his decision to exit the series had something to do with being heartbroken over the consecutive cast departures from the series.

Speaking with the Daily Mirror, the "Doctor Who" boss said: "I think that's why I have to go before I get my heart broken again. Matt's gone, Karen [Gillan]'s gone, Jenna's gone, so it's sad."

The official release date of "Doctor Who" season 10 has yet to be officially announced.