This past summer, both Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall and lead actor Jodie Whittaker announced that they would leave the show in 2022. The BBC show will have to look for both a new Doctor and a new showrunner, but it looks like they’d found a familiar face for the latter. Russell T. Davies, who launched the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, will return at the helm next year.
Reviving the show after a sixteen year hiatus, Davies produced it from 2005 to 2009. During his time as showrunner, he worked with Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant as the 9th and 10th Doctors, respectively. Thanks to the popularity of the revival, Davies launched two spin-offs, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. Officially stepping down from production in 2009, Davies handed the showrunner reigns over to Steven Moffat who joined Doctor Who with Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor.
Davies expressed joy at coming back to Doctor Who in time for the 60th anniversary of the show in 2023. “I’m beyond excited to be back on my favourite show,” said Davies, the BBC reports.
However, Chibnall and Whittaker haven’t left yet, and still have their last season coming up later this year. At San Diego Comic Con, they revealed a trailer and more info. And it sounds like Davies is looking forward to it.
“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,” Davies shared in a statement.
Since Davies changed the show up greatly with his revival, it will be interesting to see his renewed take on Doctor Who when he returns. Notably, Chibnall retconned a few plot points in the previous season, so we’ll see where Davies decides to take the show in light of this new information. Will we also see a 60th anniversary special episode like the show had for its 50th anniversary?
Davies has said that speculating on what will happen when he takes over would be “time traveling too fast.” But it’s hard not to speculate anyways in light of the news of the return of the man who brought Doctor Who into a whole new era.