Season 14; Russell T Davies Returns

pixelburp

Oh wow, this I did not predict when spitballing who might take over. Oddly, this is kinda conflicting news TBH:

https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=russell-t-davies-to-return-as-doctor-who-showrunner

FunLover18

That is an interesting move! Presumably they see the show as needing another revival in a way after the Chibnall era which has been disappointing from a story perspective. I'm looking forward to it, the show was a light lighter in tone when he was in charge which I think suits Doctor Who.

Agent Coulson

Just feels like the easy option, I really like Davies however it just feel like the BBC want safe hands to hold the show steady instead of bringing in a fresh new voice and taking a risk like they did when they hired Davies the first time.

It might be a fitting way to bookend this era of Who going with the show runner who brought it back after so many years before taking a break for a while.

pixelburp

I wouldn't say it's an easy option, but it's definitely ... well. Not a panic, not lazy; but perhaps a realisation by the BBC they let Dr. Who drift into minor irrelevance - but are unsure how to grab that back. And being a bit of an insular, incestuous organisation, they look to someone still at the top of his game, who worked with Dr. Who before.

So rather than take another wild swing (which Davies' appointment truly was back in the day), they're instead hoping the man can get lightning from a bottle twice over. It all depends on what the creative brief is: I'd be bold enough to say Davies will have a lot less wriggle room than he did around 2005; nobody could have expected that soggy old sci-fi show to become such a worldwide hit. Whereas now there's a solid brand, lots of merchandise and so on; the BBC might be breathing down his neck.

FunLover18

https://twitter.com/dcnnanoble/status/1441434169612111872?s=19

:D

ebbsy

The good news is here that he should be able to convince a proper actor to do the role, just like he did before.

He does have a major job on his hands however to turn this around, and remember we dont know what further damage Jodie and Chibnall will inflict before they leave.

pixelburp

That reads a bit unfair. Smith, Capaldi and Whitaker are all "proper" actors, and the latter was given nothing to work with during her stint under Chibnall. Nobody could make a part sing that contained no discernible direction.

In fact, it's a shame Whitaker has decided to leave because I'd say Davies would give her something useful to get her teeth into.

TheValeyard

It's a real shame about Whitaker. So much potential we never got to see.

I do think Chibnall really made a balls of it to be honest. It hasnt gone well.

Davies is the BBC trying to about turn.

If I were a betting man I think there will be a fair bit of retcon incoming, particularly with the Doctor origin story.

ebbsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117936264#Comment_117936264

I thought Smith was terrible myself, but again that may have come down to the scripts.

ixoy

Mixed feelings - I'd have preferred some fresh blood in there rather than the easy route or, as they did, giving it to one of their mates. On one hand, I grew very tired of RTD's episodes and their OTT plots and, too often, childish antics (adipose, farting aliens, etc). On the other hand, I've recently loved "Years and Years" and "It's a Sin" - he can really excel at characters and dialogue.. it's just I don't think he captures Who as I want to see it. A lot will come down now to his casting of the Doctor (I was never a massive Tenant fan). It could work well and obviously it's better than Chibs.

ebbsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117936981#Comment_117936981

That origin story was just like John Connor turning bad in Terminator - a horrific idea.

Angron

I kinda drifted away from the show before the full story played out, and when I read the origin story afterwards I was just baffled at how they thought it was a good idea.

pixelburp

May be an interesting development, especially given how rote the show had become: apparently full creative control has moved to a 3rd party; Russell T Davies' return to the show being contingent on said control given to "Bad Wolf Studios", which is (part) run by former Dr. Who producer Julie Gardner. And if reports are to be believed from The Times, the BBC may lose up to £40 million per 10 episodes because of this deal. Creative and production responsibility is now going to be on the shoulders of Bad Wolf, with the BBC retaining broadcasting, merchandising rights.

This below article does go into speculation territory, wondering if perhaps this is going to be part of another attempt at spin-offs, but it's an interesting development given how tightly internal the production has been throughout the new series' run. It could just be a classic case of a private company gouging a public institution as far as it can.

https://gizmodo.com/doctor-whos-new-era-might-cost-the-bbc-a-pretty-penny-1847988726

FunLover18

I think I'm correct in saying that Bad Wolf productions has also recently been bought by Sony.

ebbsy

I think Lenny Henry would be a good Doctor ??

TheValeyard

And some weird crossover now between Eve Online and Doctor Who.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118424177#Comment_118424177

I had seen that. Weird is right; apparently the long time fans of the game are not impressed at all.

Doctor DooM

I'm torn on all of this.

RTD brought back the Doctor: wrote some of the best episodes of the new series to date personally: but also did some awful stuff in his time, and by the end, despite how some people remember it, the vast majority were dying for the Moffat takeover (although you have to point out RTD GAVE Moffat his role as a writer so even there he's an influence). The whole lonely god thing was truly dragged out a couple of years too long.

That being said RTD seems to have gotten even better when he's good in the meantime, so I'm not doom and gloom, but wait and see.

I'm also in the "Jodie didn't ever get a chance" camp, I'd have liked her to have time with a different showrunner, but alas it's not to be.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454103#Comment_118454103

Oh I still remember writing a big angry rant here on this forum after End of Time (RTD and David Tenant's final episodes); Davies later work on Who really nosedived to the point of entering self-parody. As you say, people were champing at the bit for Moffat to take over by then 'cos the wheels had spun off the show IMO. Fundamentally, I just didn't always dig his deeply camp or cheesy approach when it was indulged to the max; the question then becomes what kind of tone will he return to the show with?

Doctor DooM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454392#Comment_118454392

Yeah, I guess tone's the fundamental question: I wouldn't expect (or hope) him to come back and basically continue as if it's just business as usual. He's smart enough to know the landscape of TV has changed a lot since his last run.

TheValeyard

And he has probably changed as grown as a show runner since then. Could hopefully bring the life back into the show.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118494782#Comment_118494782

Usually, when old hands return to previous parishes, it's after a string of failures or bombs; but RTD has only gone on to further success and praise. Which is why my personal theory is that he might have been given carte blanche to take the show wherever he likes - including a "finish" or full blown reboot.

Mollyb60

Ugh posted this in the wrong thread and I can't delete it:

Thoughts?

FunLover18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118526758#Comment_118526758

An interesting theory I saw on Twitter where I could see this working is if they brought back Tennent as the tenth Doctor to introduce the new Doctor in a multi-doctor story. Kind of like that story with David Morrissey but it's not a fake out.

pixelburp

Jesus I hope that's wrong cos I hate it. I gave the rehiring of RTD the benefit of the doubt it wasn't just a desperate grab for relevance again - but also getting Tenant back? Yikes, no.

fritzelly

Its nothing more than some nobody on FB wanting views, tabloids pick it up and we descend in to the nine circles of hell

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118527072#Comment_118527072

Oh I don't believe it, or anything til the BBC reveal it (and they can rarely keep their mouth shut re. Doctor Who), but doesn't mean we can't add some 2 cents. It's a bizarre rumour really, less believable on the face of it than - say - "Idris Elba is the new Doctor".

fritzelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118527106#Comment_118527106

He's probably got the Bond gig

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118527115#Comment_118527115

Ah he's probably too old now for the gig. Though you'd have to wonder if the most obvious Who casting is staring at us in the face. Chibnell's 2nd biggest switch to the mythology was the introduction of a (sorta) parallel, mystery Doctor we had never met before; seems like the obvious choice would be for RTD to take Jo Martin's version and run with it. I've no idea what broader fandom has made of Jo Martin & her Doc mind you: maybe RTD will Poochie her first chance he gets.

B.A._Baracus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118526758#Comment_118526758

I would love it if it was true. Viewers would certainly flock back to watch. Tenant seems to be a busy man so the idea of three specials sounds like something he could commit to but I think its almost a certain he will be back for the 60th. So it's possible just is it accurate.

They should do something special anyways. Last episode lowest viewing figures since new who started, Jodie is leaving, her last episodes are shot and there's 22 months until 60th special airs (assuming November again like 50th)

Only problem is... if tennant did come back then another actor takes over... couldn't people just tune out once tenant leaves? Wouldn't it make more sense to have the new doctor getting the "rub" by tennant by sharing scenes.

ebbsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118526758#Comment_118526758

My 3 favourite Doctors are 1.Baker 2. Tennant 3.Capaldi

However Tennant coming back ? That would be the ultimate confirmation that the show is in the deepest trouble possible.

I would go for Lenny Henry or somebody similar, a safe pair of hands and an experienced actor.

B.A._Baracus

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/chris-chibnall-russell-t-davies-ignore-doctor-who-newsupdate/

As you do. New series. New show-runner. New ideas.

pixelburp

You'd imagine so; can't see Davies being entirely happen to run with Chibnall's pretty big swing to upend the entirety of the Doc's backstory. Wouldn't rule out a convenient universe reset around the first new season with Davies at the helm.

nuttyboy79

New Doctor announced, I have to say never heard of him but hadn't heard of Matt Smith either and he worked out ok.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61371123

TheValeyard

No idea he was 29 in sex Ed!

Very different choice alright. Definitely trying to win back the younger audience.

BTW, search function for forum not working.

pixelburp

Most immediate reaction was curiousity they didn't have a big chatshow announcement; or did they? They really dragged the àrse out of a few with a big glitzy chatshow format. Don't miss them mind you, they were a bit inane IMO.

As to the actor; certainly the ethnicity isn't a surprise, it felt like it was overdue at this stage. It'll make the historical episodes interesting if the writing is honest. As to the rest it entirely depends on whether the actor can bring his own personality to the role. Another Generic Brand Doctor would be crap.

FunLover18

I'm very excited, he's fantastic in Sex Education.

Yep he's got fantastic comic timing but also has plenty of dramatic depth in Sex Education. He's definitely a rapidly rising star imho.

CastorTroy

Since I heard his name said on an interview I figure I'll just post here. Pronounced Shooty for anyone wondering.

Haven't watched Sex Education yet but I do see comments saying he's good in it.

I was wondering if he would be the youngest but Matt Smith was 28 while Ncuti is 29.

Seems he's known since February.

https://twitter.com/BAFTA/status/1523296716404887553

Capaldi got the revel special on BBC. Jodie got a video. Ncuti got a tweet.

pixelburp

WTF is he even wearing? I feel like half of actor-celebrity fashion these days is based on some unreleased 70s Sci-Fi porno.

CastorTroy

He's auditioning for the MCU for the parts of both Cloak and Dagger.

TheIrishGrover

Haven't seen that sex education series and have heard nothing about it. He looks the part. And I'm assuming he has the drama and comedy chops. Will be interesting to see

Agent Coulson

Announced on a random Sunday afternoon via a random twitter interview seems a strange way to announce it.

pixelburp

I know nothing of the guy and haven't watched Sex Education, so maybe he'll be a revelation - but I think I might be done with Dr Who. Haven't bothered with the Sea Devils episode and I'm not even 100% I'll bother watching the regeneration episode - which feels almost a heretical thing to say. Just burned out from something that has increasingly felt dragged out by a station intent on keeping it going, endlessly recycling; and if I hear good buzz from RTDs return I may swing back but I really hated his work in the back half of his prior time as producer.

I'm honestly a little disappointed Jo Martin hasn't been given a proper shot as well. Not sure how that would have worked, continuity wise but seems a tad unfair to be a kinda doctor.

gmisk

Really interesting choice...he is brilliant in sex education. No clue he was 29...I thought early 20s

TheValeyard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119032581#Comment_119032581

Reddit rumours are it was to beat a leak that was expected.

But he definitely deserves more fanfare for the role.

ixoy

I'm surprised at just how good a choice they've gone with. He's excellent in 'Sex Education' where he demonstrates two important traits of the Doctor - manic energy and the ability to also do compassion and those moments of quiet drama. I know it won't be quite his 'Sex Education' character in space but they should hopefully take some of those traits and use them. It's got me more interested in the upcoming RTD (v2) era.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119033206#Comment_119033206

He's very good, honestly. I'm not one for diversity for diversity sake casting so it's an honest take to say I've some excitement here

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119033206#Comment_119033206

Herself and Paul McGann can trade notes

fritzelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119033206#Comment_119033206

Getting Jo Martin for a full season would have been amazing - even from the little screen time she had she embodied the Doctor

Don't remember seeing anything bad being said about her, quite the opposite, and could have been a nice break to forget JW's tenure as the doctor and then start afresh with a new doctor as a continuation the following year

But from what people are saying here looks like the new guy could be good too

ixoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119034033#Comment_119034033

From what we saw, Jo Martin would have been a better choice than Jodie. Great screen presence and, as an added bonus, would have been fun switching from Capaldi to an older black woman just to see the outrage on some folk.

However, what we're getting is still a good thing. Sure, there's probably some politics in play with the ethnicity but doesn't change the fact he's the potential to do very well with the part.