In a surprise announcement, we learn Russell T Davies is back as Doctor Who showrunner

Here’s the BBC’s description:

Russell T Davies will make an explosive return to screens to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who in 2023, and series beyond…

Any fan fears of a lack of 60th anniversary are now quashed, and RTD himself has this to say:

“I’m beyond excited to be back on my favourite show. But we’re time-travelling too fast, 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.”

Chris Chibnall added:

“It’s monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary will see one of Britain’s screenwriting diamonds return home. Russell built the baton that is about to be handed back to him. Doctor Who, the BBC, the screen industry in Wales — and let’s be honest everyone in the whole world — have so many reasons to be Very Excited Indeed about what lies ahead.”

You can read the BBC press announcement for more details. While we wish Davies every success, we do worry fans may get over-excited about what will be seen as a return to the show’s golden age in terms of 21st century audience, while overlooking how audiences had moved on, and where Davies had a moderately clean slate when he began, the show has now accumulated several years of new ideas and approaches, may of which have re-interpreted Davies’s own ideas on the Time War, Gallifrey and more besides. Expect a lot of fan chatter from here on in. Don’t forget we’ve still to see another series for Whittaker and the final specials (including the BBC’s centenary special).

Casting for the new Doctor is still ‘to be announced’.