Russell T Davies, Original "Doctor Who" Revival Showrunner, to Return in 2023
by Nick Caruso
September 24, 2021


Whovians, your next showrunner has been decided — and no less than Russell T Davies, the man responsible for "Doctor Who‘s" 2005 revival, is returning to the series to succeed the exiting Chris Chibnall, BBC announced Friday.

Chibnall announced his exit in July (along with current Doctor Jodie Whittaker). The upcoming Season 13 (set to air later this year), and a trio of feature-length specials (dropping in 2022), will serve as their swan song.



“It’s monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary will see one of Britain’s screenwriting diamonds return home,” Chibnall said in a statement.

“Russell built the baton that is about to be handed back to him… and let’s be honest, everyone in the whole world has so many reasons to be ‘Very Excited Indeed’ about what lies ahead.”

https://tvline.com/2021/09/24/doctor-who-russell-t-davies-returning-showrunner-2023/

BBC is set to lose Doctor Who revenue when Russell T Davies' new seasons are made with a new production company (https://gizmodo.com/doctor-whos-new-era-might-cost-the-bbc-a-pretty-penny-1847988726)

The Times of London reports (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bbc-set-to-lose-out-over-doctor-who-gtq3tfv79) the BBC is expected to lose up to $54.5 million because the British broadcaster won’t solely be making Doctor Who in-house with Davies' upcoming seasons. Since its return in 2005, Doctor Who has been made by BBC and BBC Studios. But under Davies' new tenure, Doctor Who will be made by Bad Wolf Studios. "That’s the external production firm run by former Doctor Who producers Julie Gardner and former BBC Controller of Fiction Jane Tranter—and rumored to be on the verge of being purchased by Sony Pictures Television," explains Gizmodo's James Whitbrook. How is BBC losing money? "Well, because instead of the typical production cost of the series remaining within the BBC itself, it will now go to a third party," explains Whitbrook. "That doesn’t necessarily mean the show will be made at a loss now that this production budget is going outside of the corporation, however. While Bad Wolf and Davies would be responsible for the creative direction and production of Doctor Who, BBC Worldwide—the latest iteration of the company’s commercial arm—will still generate money from the series by sales to international broadcasters and streaming platforms, merchandising deals, and other associated revenue streams."

Thanks god Chibnall is exiting. Never seen such sloppy storytelling in all my life.