Russell T. Davies Returns to Protect Doctor Who from Streaming Interference

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Summary

  • Russell T. Davies returned as Doctor Who showrunner to protect it from streaming executive interference.
  • Davies brought fresh ideas, including animation and new plotlines through Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor.
  • Fans anticipate a positive shift for the show in Season 2 under Davies’ leadership.

The iconic character Doctor Who is now being overseen by a prominent contemporary showrunner, and although fans were thrilled to have him back in the fold of the franchise, viewers remained unaware as to why he chose to return until recently.

For nearly half a century, “Doctor Who” has managed to stay relevant due to its unique approach of replacing the main actor by employing the concept of regeneration, where the Time Lord character regains life in a new physical form following fatal injury. This continual renewal has also led to a diverse ensemble of companions and showrunners throughout its history, with some receiving more positive feedback than others. A standout figure from recent years is Russell T Davies, who successfully revived the series with a reboot in 2005 following a long hiatus, only to step down after season four. Following the tenure of two other showrunners, Davies returned to the helm in 2021, sparking speculation among fans regarding the future direction of the franchise.

After his comeback, Davies has been performing at peak capacity, venturing into uncharted territories such as animation for the first time in the series’ long-standing history through ‘Doctor Who’, and delving into numerous innovative concepts with Ncuti Gatwa’s portrayal of the Doctor. These novel ideas have resonated strongly with fans of the contemporary series, but so too has the curiosity about what motivated Davies to rejoin the team. Recently, Davies shed light on his decision in a conversation with frequent collaborator and ‘Doctor Who’ icon David Tennant on his podcast. According to Davies, the BBC was considering transitioning the show to a streaming platform, which he felt required protection. The BBC was forthright about their need for a producer who could manage numerous executives, a role that ultimately led him back to the franchise. In essence, this refers to ‘Doctor Who’s move to the international market by aligning with other major franchises on Disney+.

Without much effort, viewers can observe that Davies has encountered numerous executives throughout his career. The higher-ups at Disney allegedly expressed reservations about the show’s initial season reception, even though the final viewership numbers for Doctor Who suggested a promising future. It’s unclear what Davies meant by his comment about protection, as he himself is not known to be rigid or resistant to innovative ideas for the show. If Davies was trying to prevent executives from exploiting the franchise’s history, that opportunity had already passed with Tennant’s Doctor being given a permanent secondary role under Davies’ supervision. Ultimately, it seems that he simply wanted someone who genuinely cared about the franchise’s welfare to be in charge of it. After all, if you want something done properly, you must do it yourself.

To put it simply, it appears that Davies is well-suited for this role during these challenging times, providing a steady course with minimal turbulence. Whether his leadership can steer the show’s streaming issues back on course remains to be seen. For now, fans can anticipate a refreshing change of pace in the upcoming “Doctor Who” season, which will take us away from Earth, thanks to Davies’ unique vision for the series.

Doctor Who is available to stream on Disney+ in the United States.

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2025-03-12 00:24