The man credited with regenerating Doctor Who back to life will return to the TARDIS and he’s bringing a couple of familiar companions with him. In a surprising move, the BBC has announced that Russell T. Davies will return to the showrunner seat of the hit show and he’s bringing Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner along with him for the ride.
After Doctor Who had been off the air for sixteen years, Davies revived the series with Christopher Eccleston as the 9th Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose Tyler, his companion. After Eccleston announced his departure from the series, Davies brought in David Tennant, who was voted the best Doctor in a 2020 Radio Times poll. Davies was the showrunner for the series from 2005-2010 and in that time, wrote 31 of the show’s episodes, created two spin-offs (Torchwood and Sarah Jane Adventures), created a few fan-favorite aliens (such as the Judoon and the Ood) and, of course, brought fans Captain Jack. Above all, he is credited with propelling Doctor Who into the global phenomenon it is today.
“I’m beyond excited to be back on my favourite show,” said Davies. “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.”
Current Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall is excited to return the keys to Davies saying:
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.
Chibnall and current Doctor, Jodi Whittaker, revealed in July that they would leave Doctor Who after three seasons. Their final season, Season 13, will consist of 6 episodes, a Nu-Who New Year episode, a special episode slated for Spring 2022, and the 13th Doctor’s final episode in what the BBC calls a “blockbuster special” airing in Fall 2022 as part of the broadcaster’s centenary celebrations.
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.
As for who will be the next Doctor, the BBC said this would be “announced in due course.”
Russell T Davies doesn’t officially begin his travels with the Big Blue Box until 2023, just in time for the series’ 60th anniversary. So, it will be a while before we’ll either be saying “Fantastic” or “I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.”