The BBC has announced that Russell T Davies will be returning to Doctor Who as showrunner from 2023. In a blog post, it was confirmed that Davies, who revived the series in 2005 and ran as showrunner until the end of 2009, would “make an explosive return to screens to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who in 2023, and series beyond.”
“I’m beyond excited to be back on my favourite show.” said Davies, adding that there was “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, who succeeded Steven Moffat at the end of 2017, is due to depart from Doctor Who next year along with Jodie Whittaker, the first female Doctor in the show’s fifty-eight-year history. Chibnall, whose other work includes Broadchurch and stints in Doctor Who’s spin-off Torchwood, described the news as “monumentally exciting”, adding that it was “fitting that Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary will see one of Britain’s screenwriting diamonds return home.”
Piers Wenger, the BBC’s Director of Drama confirmed that they were “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.”
BBC Studios will be partnering with Bad Wolf to produce. Post-Who, Russell T Davies has been recognised for his work on Years And Years and A Very English Scandal. Most recently, Davies was responsible for It’s A Sin, which scooped up the award of Best New Drama at the National TV Awards earlier in the month.
Whittaker’s final run as the Thirteenth Doctor will include a “six part Event Serial” and as many as three specials, including one final feature-length episode before Whittaker hands over the TARDIS keys.
