Russell T Davies describes BBC bosses ‘deep love’ for Doctor Who
Returning showrunner of Doctor Who Russell T Davies has described just how “deeply loved” Doctor Who is by the people at the very top of the BBC.
Admitting that fans from outside the organisation sometimes worry about how much the BBC are committed to their long-running science fiction show Doctor Who, Davies has reassured Whovians that BBC bosses really care about the TV programme which returns for three 60th anniversary specials in November 2023 starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor.
“Fans sometimes wonder from outside the organisation, how much the BBC loves the show. An odd worry, about a show that’s been utterly supported in its primetime slot since 2005, but us fans are born to fear. There’s not a football fan in the world who says “Isn’t everything great? I wouldn’t change a thing!”” Davies wrote in his Letter from the Showrunner column in Doctor Who Magazine.
He then described a Zoom call that took place between Piers Wenger, the BBC’s Director of Drama, Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer of the BBC and himself in March 2021, when the idea of him returning as showrunner was discussed.
And although Davies is clear that he “cannot tell you what was said because we talked about things you’ve yet to see. Plans we are still unfurling. Ideas that have not even begun,” he is clear that the enthusiasm and ambition for Doctor Who now and for the future from the top bosses of the BBC was very clear.
“So I wish you could’ve seen that call. To see the show being so deeply loved, by the people right at the top. It was exhilarating and inspiring, and crucially, fun!”
Doctor Who is looking forward to an incredibly exciting 2023 with its 60th birthday celebrations set to take centre stage in November 2023 with David Tennant as Fourteen and Catherine Tate back as Donna Noble. They will be joined by Yasim Finney as Rose, and we’ll get to find out more about Neil Patrick Harris’s mysterious enemy. It was also revealed in the Christmas Day trailer that there will be enemies from the comic book series making their way into the TV show, including Beep the Meep.
The 60th celebrations will be followed by Doctor Who season 14 starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Tuesday. The first episode is due around the festive season of 2023 with the rest of season 14 expected in 2024.
- Love Doctor Who? Get all the latest Doctor Who news and views from Screen OD
- Looking for some entertainment? Have you tried our general knowledge quiz questions and answers yet? Or browse all the Screen OD quizzes.
- Want to supercharge your streaming? Take a look at our guide to Netflix secret codes for TV and movie fans
- Love TV and movies? Try Screen OD on YouTube...
