'Doctor Who' Goes Moff Again As Former Showrunner Steven Moffat Returns As Writer
The 'Sherlock' creator was a writer for Russell T. Davies’s initial stint as showrunner before succeeding him in the role from 2010 to 2017
It’s happening. Rule #1: The Doctor, or the ex-showrunner, lies. The BBC, on its own press site and through the show’s socials and website, has confirmed that Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has written an episode for the upcoming season.
Moffat’s professional history with Doctor Who began in 1999, with the Comic Relief Red Nose Day special The Curse of Fatal Death, the only live action Doctor Who production between the 1996 movie and the revival series. When the show finally did come back under showrunner Russell T. Davies, he was brought on the writing staff, his involvement announced 20 years ago this month. Moffat wrote 6 episodes across the four series: Series 1 two-parter “The Empty Child” and “The Doctor Dances”, series 2’s “The Girl in the Fireplace”, series 3’s “Blink”, which introduced the Weeping Angels, the series 4 two parter “Silence in the Library” and “Forest of the Dead”, which introduced River Song, and the Children in Need short “Time Crash”, with the Tenth Doctor meeting the Fifth Doctor. Moffat’s six episodes were so highly regarded that he would succeed Davies as showrunner for the eras of Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi, running six series (5-10) from 2010 to 2017. He wrote a heavier chunk of episodes there, too many to list here.
On his return, Moffat said “Yes, okay, fair enough - apologies to everyone I’ve very slightly misled - I am in fact writing an episode of the series of Doctor Who. Exactly like I said I never would. What can I tell you? There was begging, there was pleading but finally Russell agreed to let me have another go - so long as I got out of his garden. Working with old friends and a brand new Doctor I couldn’t be happier. Sorry I was a bit reticent on the subject for so long. It was all part of an elaborate plan that would have delighted millions but at the last minute I forgot what it was.” Indeed, he’s been continually asked about potential returns. While how soon they started after he left I don’t have, he fielded such questions on BBC Newsnight in September and at the Radio Times 2024 Covers Party in February. He said there "The truth is, if I say anything negative about Doctor Who it goes everywhere, like boom, everywhere, right? It doesn't exactly bring joy to the world that I just say something negative about Doctor Who." It is in this quote that the fandom believes he has dropped episode title hints, and yes that’s hints.
It ties into why I said Moffat’s writing was confirmed by the BBC. About a week ago, the curriculum vitae (CV) for the producer of this year’s Christmas special Alison Sterling had the special credited as written by Moffat. But before Tuesday’s announcement there was still some skepticism. And since the BBC and the show have already publicly discussed this year’s Christmas special, there’s no reason they wouldn’t just say it’s the Christmas special. This means that the episode Moffat has written that is referenced in the release is separate and within season 1/series 14. In addition to Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and previously announced Nicola Coughlan as his companion for the special, it will feature Joel Fry and Timothy West.
The announcement of Moffat’s season 1/series 14 episode also came with announcing who is directing that episode. It’s BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Julie-Anne Robinson, who is also directing the season premiere, which releases on May 10 or 11 on Disney+ or BBC iPlayer respectively. Her previous credits include Bridgerton, Orange Is the New Black and Scandal. Describing the experience, Robinson said “It was a tremendous honour to direct episodes of Doctor Who for the BBC and Disney+. This beloved franchise is 60 years old and still going strong. It is part of our collective memory as Brits. I’ve always admired Russell T Davies and Ncuti Gatwa is an unbelievably talented actor who has stepped into the role of the Fifteenth Doctor effortlessly, alongside the equally talented Millie Gibson. Steven Moffat gave me an intense challenge as a director. I asked him for a keyword to describe the overall tone of the episode he said: ‘Hitchcock’. I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks. I’m grateful to Bad Wolf, the BBC and Disney+. It was an incredible experience”.
Davies himself said on Instagram:
WELL. I turn my back for 5 minutes. I’ve had a quick look, and there’s a thing that does things and a perfectly ordinary word turned into something TERRIFYING and it’s all in outer space and there’s a woman and OH MY GOD.
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It is, of course, brilliant. Beyond brilliant, it’s an absolutely mesmerising episode! I’m lucky and proud and honoured to be working with Steven Moffat, the great man. And to have this directed by the genius of julieannerobinsondirector …oh we’re all lucky! Steven was the second phonecall I made, after getting the old job back. The first was Chris Chibnall, but he sent love and kisses and RAN! Off to write his new novel! So stand back, get ready, and travel with the Doctor and Ruby to the most dangerous world you can imagine, and… Antelope. Moment. Drums. ♥️♥️➕🀄️🇨🇦♉️📐
Sources: Doctor Who, Cultbox