In a shock move, award winning writer Russell T Davies has been announced as the next Doctor Who showrunner. The man who revived the show in 2005 is back and set to replace Chris Chibnall.
With the Bad Wolf production company partnering with BBC Studios, Davies return is already sending shockwaves around the British TV industry.
Russell T Davies says: “I’m beyond excited to be back on my favourite show. But we’re time-travelling too fast, there’s a whole series of Jodie Whittaker’s brilliant Doctor for me to enjoy, with my friend and hero Chris Chibnall at the helm – I’m still a viewer for now.”
Chris Chibnall says: “It’s monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary will see one of Britain’s screenwriting diamonds return home. Russell built the baton that is about to be handed back to him. Doctor Who, the BBC, the screen industry in Wales – and let’s be honest everyone in the whole world – have so many reasons to be Very Excited Indeed about what lies ahead.”
Piers Wenger, BBC Director of Drama, says: “As the 13th Doctor prepares to embark on new and extraordinary adventures, the winds of change are blowing… bringing with them news to delight Doctor Who fans across the globe. We are thrilled that Russell is returning to Doctor Who to build on the huge achievements of Chris and Jodie. Thank you to the two of them and the team in Cardiff for all they continue to do for the show and hello Russell, it’s wonderful to have you back.”
Recent rumours have suggested that Doctor Who is leaving Wales, but given Bad Wolf is in Cardiff, the jury will have to remain in deliberation on that score.
At the launch of Davies It’s a Sin in January 2021, the writer and producer mulled over his seat on Doctor Who, and how the world of TV has changed, observing “I was in the middle of running an empire,” Davies said of his time on Doctor Who. “And my god I did that 10 years too soon, didn’t I?”
“There should be a Doctor Who channel now. You look at those Disney announcements, of all those new Star Wars and Marvel shows, you think, we should be sitting here announcing The Nyssa Adventures or The Return of Donna Noble, and you should have the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors together in a 10-part series. Genuinely.”
Well, what else is there for RTD to do in Doctor Who than to make it a truly global brand? Things are about to get exciting.