The BBC has officially announced that former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat will make an “explosive” return to the series, having written an episode due to air in Ncuti Gatwa’s first full season as the Fifteenth Doctor.
Moffat first wrote for Doctor Who when Russell T Davies revived it in 2005. He then succeeded Davies as showrunner, leading the show during the Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi eras. He is known for penning some of the most praised episodes in the show’s history as well as creating one of the most terrifying and iconic monsters, the Weeping Angels. He also co-wrote and co-created the multi-award winning series Sherlock.
The writer provided a statement on his return.
“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.”
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Directing his penned adventure is BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Julie-Anne Robinson, who also kicks off the season by directing the first episode of the series. Robinson has previously directed some blockbuster television series including Bridgerton, Orange Is The New Black and Scandal.
By process of elimination, since Robinson directed Episodes One and Three of the new series, Steven Moffat wrote the “explosive” Episode Three.
Robinson spoke on directing episodes in the new season.
“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.”
Doctor Who returns on 11 May 2024 midnight, 00:00 BT (10 May 7:00pm ET) streaming on BBC iplayer and Disney+ with Episode One directed by Julie Anne Robinson and Episode Two, The Devil’s Chord directed by Ben Chessell. Both premiere episodes, written by Russell T Davies, will broadcast on BBC One in the UK and Ireland on 11 May immediately before Eurovision.