--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a kid, I wrote to the BBC, and…" description: "\"When I was a kid, I wrote to the BBC, and the producers sent me a huge package through the post with 'Doctor Who' scripts. I'd never even seen a script..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/peter-capaldi-2535_actually_when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and_1663435.jpg" --- # When I was a kid, I wrote to the BBC, and the producers… ![“When I was a kid, I wrote to the BBC, and the producers sent me a huge package through the post with 'Doctor Who' scripts. I'd never even seen a script and couldn't believe that they actually wrote this stuff down. It sort of opened a door.” quote by Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/peter-capaldi-2535_actually_when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and_1663435.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/peter-capaldi-2535_actually_when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and_1663435.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/peter-capaldi-2535_actually_when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and_1663435.jpg) > “When I was a kid, I wrote to the BBC, and the producers sent me a huge package through the post with 'Doctor Who' scripts. I'd never even seen a script and couldn't believe that they actually wrote this stuff down. It sort of opened a door.” [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Receiving unexpected fan mail opened a door to new possibilities and belief in one's impact. **In simple terms:** Fan mail opened doors. Key Takeaway Embrace unexpected opportunities that validate your work. Themes opportunity validation growth Mood inspirational nostalgic Type personal motivational When to use this quote - writing scripts - career pivots - public speaking - networking events Key Concepts media influence fan culture Questions to Reflect On - What unexpected messages have changed your path? - How can you turn surprise into action? A Different Perspective Not all fan interactions lead to tangible outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) ## Related quotes > [When I wrote 'Grand Illusion,' I was making it up as we went along. I wrote this stuff and tried to do the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-deyoung/when-i-wrote-grand-illusion-i-was-making-it-up-as-we-went-along-i/) [Dennis DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-deyoung/) > [I essentially have always directed everything on my TV show without using that title; I edited and wrote all my stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-green/i-essentially-have-always-directed-everything-on-my-tv-show-without/) [Tom Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-green/) > [I wrote stuff so deep. I saw a letter that I wrote when I was about 11, and I'm like, 'Calm down, girl. You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shira-haas/i-wrote-stuff-so-deep-i-saw-a-letter-that-i-wrote-when-i-was-about-11/) [Shira Haas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shira-haas/) > [I wrote some serious stuff in high school; however, I hadn't been exposed to any of the major poets, not even the minor ones...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/i-wrote-some-serious-stuff-in-high-school-however-i-hadn-t-been/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [ I was in a two-person show \[with Oliver Ralli\] called the Midwesterners where we wrote all of our own stuff and we traveled the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-m-johnson/i-was-in-a-two-person-show-with-oliver-ralli-called-the-midwesterners/) [Jake M. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-m-johnson/) > [I didn't hear anybody talking about the plight of a soldier coming back home and what he'd gone through. That was why I wrote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-prine/i-didn-t-hear-anybody-talking-about-the-plight-of-a-soldier-coming/) [John Prine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-prine/) > [I watched 'Freaks and Geeks,' and I was like, 'Oh, if you write about your own personal experiences, and if you're specific about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rust/i-watched-freaks-and-geeks-and-i-was-like-oh-if-you-write-about-your/) [Paul Rust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rust/) > [It's normally in the morning, just playing around. And I'm not saying everything I make is great, but that's what I do. I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/it-s-normally-in-the-morning-just-playing-around-and-i-m-not-saying/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [As far as songwriting, I'm not sure if they wrote all of their own stuff, but I love the Dixie Chicks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bibi-bourelly/as-far-as-songwriting-i-m-not-sure-if-they-wrote-all-of-their-own/) [Bibi Bourelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bibi-bourelly/) > [I'm obsessed with the BBC comedy 'Mum.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-cox/i-m-obsessed-with-the-bbc-comedy-mum/) [Sara Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-cox/) > [The BBC will always be attacked by whoever is in government. It is that George Bush thing of 'If you're not with us you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/the-bbc-will-always-be-attacked-by-whoever-is-in-government-it-is/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I don't have any quarrel with the BBC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-may/i-don-t-have-any-quarrel-with-the-bbc/) [James May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-may/) > [I'm slightly obsessed with Moomins. They were my specialist subject on BBC's 'Celebrity Mastermind' a few years ago!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-roberts/i-m-slightly-obsessed-with-moomins-they-were-my-specialist-subject-on/) [Alice Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-roberts/) > [The BBC called me 'defiant' in a caption. I plan to frame and put it on my wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brianna-wu/the-bbc-called-me-defiant-in-a-caption-i-plan-to-frame-and-put-it-on/) [Brianna Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brianna-wu/) > [My first job was a film called 'Storm Damage' for the BBC. I was 16 and working with really respected British actors. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-madekwe/my-first-job-was-a-film-called-storm-damage-for-the-bbc-i-was-16-and/) [Ashley Madekwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-madekwe/) ## More by Peter Capaldi > [Being asked to play 'The Doctor' is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/being-asked-to-play-the-doctor-is-an-amazing-privilege-like-the/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [I never really think of acting and directing as being separate; they are just different expressions of the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/i-never-really-think-of-acting-and-directing-as-being-separate-they/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [I've only lost my temper three times in my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/i-ve-only-lost-my-temper-three-times-in-my-whole-life/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [Comic-Con is so legendary, so a great thrill to be invited along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/comic-con-is-so-legendary-so-a-great-thrill-to-be-invited-along/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [It'll be sad not to be Doctor Who anymore because that's an incredible thing to wake up in the morning and go, 'Oh, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/it-ll-be-sad-not-to-be-doctor-who-anymore-because-that-s-an/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [The Americans just have a great sort of wit about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/the-americans-just-have-a-great-sort-of-wit-about-them/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [ I knew Richard E. Grant, and I went to him and said "Would you like to \[play Kafka in the film\]?" and he said… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/i-knew-richard-e-grant-and-i-went-to-him-and-said-would-you-like-to/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [It was great being brought up in a Glasgow working-class tenement. It wasn't miserable, and it wasn't poverty stricken. It felt very safe, full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/it-was-great-being-brought-up-in-a-glasgow-working-class-tenement-it/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > ['Atlantic City' is very good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/atlantic-city-is-very-good/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [It's one thing getting the job of Doctor Who, which is wonderful. And then the next thing they say to you is, 'We're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/it-s-one-thing-getting-the-job-of-doctor-who-which-is-wonderful-and/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [One of the very, very exciting things I have found here in L.A. is that no one talks to you about being Scottish. Whereas,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/one-of-the-very-very-exciting-things-i-have-found-here-in-l-a-is-that/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [Everybody loves monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/everybody-loves-monsters/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [I think the nice thing about 'Doctor Who' is whether people like it or don't like it, somewhere, someone loves you and will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/i-think-the-nice-thing-about-doctor-who-is-whether-people-like-it-or/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [Even though I am a lifelong 'Doctor Who' fan, I've not played him since I was nine. I downloaded old scripts and practised those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/even-though-i-am-a-lifelong-doctor-who-fan-i-ve-not-played-him-since/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [I'm not an extravagant man. The fact that I can have a coffee out whenever I want still makes me feel grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/i-m-not-an-extravagant-man-the-fact-that-i-can-have-a-coffee-out/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) [Explore all 162 Peter Capaldi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) ## More Actually quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I actually like getting out of my comfort zone. It shakes me up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/i-actually-like-getting-out-of-my-comfort-zone-it-shakes-me-up/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [You have to talk about why things happened the way they did. You can't actually explain my political life except by a series of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lange/you-have-to-talk-about-why-things-happened-the-way-they-did-you-can-t/) [David Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lange/) > [Failure actually makes you strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neha-sharma/failure-actually-makes-you-strong/) [Neha Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neha-sharma/) > [There's always that discussion about fiction about how do you market it - these are books for boys, these are books for girls, these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-a-weatherly/there-s-always-that-discussion-about-fiction-about-how-do-you-market/) [L.A. Weatherly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-a-weatherly/) > [I'm from Europe, England, and I actually lived in Italy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/i-m-from-europe-england-and-i-actually-lived-in-italy/) [Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/) > [The alternative comedy scene is actually pretty small, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-wilson/the-alternative-comedy-scene-is-actually-pretty-small-i-guess/) [Casey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-wilson/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [Somebody said that part of my reaction to British cinema is actually, paradoxically, a patriotic one. I'm so disappointed that we're not better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brownlow/somebody-said-that-part-of-my-reaction-to-british-cinema-is-actually/) [Kevin Brownlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brownlow/) > [I actually do sing sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morten-harket/i-actually-do-sing-sometimes/) [Morten Harket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morten-harket/) > [I've actually got quite a good memory. I've good recall. It's often things which other people might not notice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-frame/i-ve-actually-got-quite-a-good-memory-i-ve-good-recall-it-s-often/) [Ronald Frame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-frame/) > [Because there is actually something very interesting in Goodfellas, how the style of the film changes as time goes by and based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cox/because-there-is-actually-something-very-interesting-in-goodfellas/) [Alex Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cox/) > ['Inequality' has become the political theme/slogan of our time in both Europe and the U.S., yet political leaders do not even bother to consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-singer/inequality-has-become-the-political-theme-slogan-of-our-time-in-both/) [Paul Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-singer/) Browse all 4,248 Actually quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was a kid, I wrote to the BBC, and the producers sent me a huge package through the post with 'Doctor Who' scripts. I'd never even seen a script and couldn't believe that they actually wrote this stuff down. It sort of opened a door.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peter Capaldi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and-the-producers-sent-me-a-huge/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actually" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and-the-producers-sent-me-a-huge/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/peter-capaldi-2535_actually_when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and_1663435.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/peter-capaldi-2535_actually_when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and_1663435.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/peter-capaldi-2535_actually_when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and_1663435.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was a kid, I wrote to the BBC, and the producers sent me a huge package through the post with 'Doctor…” — Peter Capaldi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Peter Capaldi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was a kid, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and-the-producers-sent-me-a-huge/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/when-i-was-a-kid-i-wrote-to-the-bbc-and-the-producers-sent-me-a-huge/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```