Home TV News Russell T Davies Returns As ‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner

Russell T Davies Returns As ‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner

by Dave Elliott

Russell T Davies Returns As ‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner

The Doctor Who showrunner will be regenerating into a familiar face, as the BBC announce Russell T Davies will be returning to shepherd in the next chapter of the popular timelord drama!

It seems like a fitting time for Davies to return to the show he helped bring back to screen in 2005 as ‘Doctor Who’ heads into its 60th Anniversary in 2023. Both current star Jodie Whittaker and showrunner Chris Chibnall will leave the series in 2022.

“I’m beyond excited to be back on my favourite show,” said RTD. “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.”

Along with getting a new showrunner, it has also been announced BBC Studios will be partnering with the production company Bad Wolf to produce the drama moving forward. Bad Wolf was (as you may have guessed from the name!) set up by ex-Who producers Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner, who both worked with RTD during his initial era on the show. They have since gone on to produce dramas such as ‘The Night Of’, ‘His Dark Materials‘, ‘A Discovery Of Witches’, ‘Industry’ and ‘I Hate Suzie’.

“It’s monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary will see one of Britain’s screenwriting diamonds return home,” adds Chris Chibnall. “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.”

Along with bringing back the main ‘Doctor Who’ series in 2005, Davies also created two spin-off series during his tenure – the more adult orientated ‘Torchwood’ and the more child-focused ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’.

“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,” said Piers Wenger, BBC Director of Drama. “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.”

That does, of course, still leave the question as to who will be stepping into the role of the Doctor. At the time of writing this, the bookie’s favourites are – Olly Alexander 2/1, Kris Marshall 11/2, Lenny Henry 6/1, Michaela Coel 8/1, Paul McGann 10/1 and Michael Sheen 12/1. Olly being so high on the list makes sense, given his amazing work with RTD on ‘It’s A Sin’. I’m somewhat curious as to why Paul McGann is in the running give he’s already played the role (and is technically the longest-running Doctor!)… I’m not complaining though, as it would be nice for him to have some additional screentime with the character. And if it did go to Michael Sheen, they would HAVE to announce it using an episode of ‘Staged’ with Tennant reacting to the news from Sheen. Bear in mind, the bookies are not usually correct this far out, so we’ll have to wait and see!

Doctor Who‘ returns for Season 13 in Autumn 2021 on BBC One. It will be followed by three specials the first of which will transmit on New Year’s Day 2022, with another later in Spring 2022. Jodie’s final feature-length special, where the Thirteenth Doctor will regenerate, will transmit in Autumn 2022 as part of the BBC’s Centenary celebrations, with Russell T Davies taking over in 2023 alongside a new, yet-to-be-named, Doctor.

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