Doctor Who

Russell T Davies to return as Doctor Who showrunner

Davies will return in time for the 60th Anniversary of the sci-fi series in 2023, and continue writing for series beyond.

From his relaunch of the show in 2005 to his departure in 2009, Davies is widely credited with turning the British drama into a global icon.

Davies said: “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.”

Working Lives: Location Manager

Da Vinci’s Demons at Margam Castle (Credit: Sky)

What does the job involve?

I’m part of a production’s creative team. After reading the script, I pitch my ideas for locations to the writer, producer and director, bringing my knowledge of what an area can offer. Ideally, I like to start as early as possible to have the greatest creative influence – with Little Door’s recent drama for BBC One The Pact, I was involved three months before shooting began.

Do you work alone?

Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall to leave Doctor Who in trio of Specials

(credit: BBC)

Having taken the helm of the show in 2017, Chibnall made the history-making decision to cast Whittaker as the first-ever female Doctor. He also brought together Tosin Cole (Ryan), Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Bradley Walsh (Graham) as the new ‘fam’ of adventurous space-exploring sidekicks.

With a six-part Event Serial already announced for this autumn, Chibnall and Whittaker will bow out of Doctor Who with three specials in 2022, including a final feature-length adventure to mark the BBC’s Centenary celebrations, before the Doctor regenerates once more.

Russell T Davies on the sober art of sharing joy

For a show that took six years and multiple knock-backs before it hit our screens, It’s a Sin is a formidable reminder of the power of TV drama.

The series follows a group of gay friends during the Aids crisis of the 1980s, and earlier this year became All 4’s biggest ever show when it was watched by 18.9 million viewers.

Viewers were drawn in by Russell T Davies’s compelling story and his finely crafted characters, whom we couldn’t help but feel invested in.

Mike Bartlett on how new BBC drama Life is an antidote to social divisions

When Mike Bartlett sent actress Victoria Hamilton the script for his latest television series, Life, she felt a bit confused at first. “I was reading this wonderful character Belle, and I suddenly thought, I know this woman! I emailed Mike and told him she really reminded me of Anna, my character in Doctor Foster. Mike sent me back a very short email, ‘Yes, it is Anna. Anna Belle.’”