It’s definite: Steven Moffat has written an episode of the upcoming Doctor Who series, starring Ncuti Gatwa. More here.
Thanks to the hugely entertaining Instagram interactions between Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat, speculation has been rife that Davies had recruited the former Doctor Who showrunner to the new series of the show.
Long story short: the rumour was true.
I think it was Doctor Who Magazine that calculated Steven Moffat had written more episodes of Doctor Who than anyone else. Now we learn that he’s added another, as he’s penned one of the episodes that’ll make up Ncuti Gatwa’s maiden eight-episode run of the show.
Steven Moffat’s episode hasn’t been named, but the director of it has: Julie-Anne Robinson, who helmed the Christmas special, The Church On Ruby Road. She’s said to be directing two of the upcoming episodes. Well, presumably she’s directed them by now, but you know what I mean.
Steven Moffat gives a quote to the official BBC announcement of his return. Said quote has been lovingly copy and pasted and reads:
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.
Julie-Anne Robinson, meanwhile, has this to say:
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”.
An Alfred Hitchcock-influenced Doctor Who episode? Interesting.
Doctor Who returns on 11th May.
