As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year.
After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode.
The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.
Russel has also posted the following on his Instagram:
So he is officially out as well. Finally, tender means that they are looking for a new production company. So Bad Wolf are also out
Yup, that’s pretty definitive.
It’s a shame it had to end this way, but I think a fresh person at the helm will be a good thing. And as much as I like Steven Moffat, I really hope they can find someone new.
Yeah I agree. As much as I like the 2005-2025-ish era, the show does need a fresh coat of paint. We can’t just keep handing it back and forth between RTD, Moffat and Chibnall forever.
Yeah, I think this has all been handled very poorly, but at least something seems to happen. Or the initial preparations to finding someone who will, eventually, make something happen…
I liked Moffat’s run, too, but I wouldn’t wish this sort of responsibility on him. There is too much opinion and preconception around him in the fandom already, best leave this to somebody with less baggage… and maybe more fresh-faced go power 🚀
Random thought and very much not the pressing issue of the moment, but if RTD and all his crew are out, and the BBC isn’t actually producing it, I wonder if that’s enough for Christopher Eccleston to come back and do an episode?
Although probably best to lay off the nostalgia for a bit if it’s coming back with a whole new crew at some point.
Eccleston recently added a new criterion for him to return: having a young, female showrunner. Dunno if all his demands need to come true though, he got his rider from a couple years ago fulfilled today 🙂
I have to say, I was dreading what Davies might have pulled out of a dark cavity for that special. His recent track record hasn’t been great, so this is good news in that sense. I’m still amazed that this is where we’re at a year out from the last season finale, rather than as soon as Disney officially let the show go.
I get the impression there has been no talk whatsoever with potential production partners in the intervening year. HBO let slip recently that there had been no communication concerning … how was it again, “an important part of the BBC”? But all things considered, glad they’re finally moving ahead toward a new direction.