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View Full Version : Russell T Davies to step down.

Mr Pointy
05-20-2008, 06:01 PM
I thought I'd already posted this but it doesn't appear to have worked -

The BBC announced today that RTD is to step down from show-running Doctor Who. As has been speculated by fans, he will be replaced by Steven Moffat.

BBC - Doctor Who - News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/news/080520_news_01)

BBC Wales and BBC Drama has announced that Bafta and Hugo Award winning writer Steven Moffat will succeed Russell T Davies as Lead Writer and Executive Producer of the fifth series of Doctor Who, which will broadcast on BBC One in 2010.
Moffat has penned some of the series' most unforgettable and acclaimed episodes - including Blink with its terrifying Weeping Angels, for which he was awarded the Bafta Writer Award 2008 on Sunday 11th May. His previous work on Doctor Who includes The Girl in the Fireplace for Series Two, which earned him his second Hugo Award.
His first was for the Series One two-parter The Empty Child, which became famous for its terrifying refrain 'Are you my mummy?'
For the current series, Moffat has written Silence in the Library, a two parter starring Alex Kingston which transmits on 31st May and 7th June 2008 on BBC One.
Steven's career began with the landmark ITV children's drama Press Gang in 1989, for which he won his first Bafta. Coupling, the hugely popular and award winning sitcom he created and wrote for BBC Two, began in 2000 and ran for four seasons. Jekyll, his six part thriller starring James Nesbitt and Michelle Ryan, transmitted on BBC One last year.
Steven will continue as one of the directors on the board of Hartswood Films which produced Coupling and Jekyll, where he is also working on his new comedy Adam & Eve with wife Sue Vertue. He has just delivered the screenplay for Tintin, the first instalment of the trilogy of films featuring the iconic Belgian comic-strip hero, to Steven Spielberg who will direct it for DreamWorks. Thomas Sangster and Andy Serkis will star.
"My entire career has been a Secret Plan to get this job," said Steven Moffat. "I applied before but I got knocked back cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven. Anyway, I'm glad the BBC has finally seen the light, and it's a huge honour to be following Russell into the best - and the toughest - job in television. I say "toughest" cos Russell's at my window right now, pointing and laughing."
"It's been a delight and an honour working with Steven," said Russell T Davis, "I can't wait to see where his extraordinary imagination takes the Doctor. Best of all, I get to be a viewer again, watching on a Saturday night!"
"BBC Wales is very proud of Doctor Who's phenomenal success," added Menna Richards, Controller, BBC Wales. "Steven Moffat is an extraordinary talent and we are very much looking forward to him joining the Doctor Who team."
Jane Tranter, Controller BBC Fiction, added her praise. "Scripts and writers are at the heart of what BBC Drama is all about, and especially at the heart of Doctor Who. The past four series have been brilliantly helmed by the spectacularly talented Russell T Davies. As lead writer and executive producer, he has overseen the creative direction and detail of the 21st century relaunch of Doctor Who and we are delighted to have his continued presence on the specials over the next 18 months.
"But the challenge and excitement of the fifth series is now being handed to Steven Moffat. The Tardis couldn't be in safer hands. Steven's talents on both Doctor Who and beyond are well known. He is a writer of glittering brilliance, comedy and depth, with an extraordinary imagination and a unique voice. Steven has a wonderful mix of being a committed Doctor Who fan and a true artist, and his plans for the next series are totally thrilling."
The announcement follows the news that Piers Wenger will take over the role of Executive Producer from Julie Gardner on Series Five of Doctor Who.
"The challenge of taking Doctor Who to a new future is a huge and thrilling one and BBC Wales is blessed to have someone with Steven's extraordinary talent in charge," said Piers." His imagination and creativity have already given birth to some of the series' most unforgettable monsters though in this instance no one need fear; Time, space and the future of The Doctor are safe with him."
Wenger and Moffat are already working closely together on the planning of the series...

I'm wondering if RTD will still continue to write for Who and what is happening with Torchwood and Sarah Jane...
Bored of the Dead
05-20-2008, 06:20 PM
I was begging, hoping and praying for Moffat - I even think I may have said something to you Pointy so I am really happy.

This is great news.

Russell did a great job reviving the series and I have every faith that Moffat will continue its brilliance.
Mr Pointy
05-21-2008, 04:12 AM
I was begging, hoping and praying for Moffat - I even think I may have said something to you Pointy so I am really happy.

This is great news.

Russell did a great job reviving the series and I have every faith that Moffat will continue its brilliance.

I think you did say something along those lines and I suspect I agreed with you :)
RTD's departure has been speculated about since it was announced that we wouldn't get a full series next year and the general consensus that I've seen online was that Steven would make the ideal replacement. He pretty much proved for me that he was up to the job after his excellent work on Jekyll last year.
I do hope however that David Tennant stays onboard a little longer and that RTD still contributes scripts...*crosses fingers*
N4H
05-21-2008, 06:50 AM
Moffat'll do a great job. No doubt about it.
edb
05-22-2008, 01:38 PM
I do hope however that David Tennant stays onboard a little longer and that RTD still contributes scripts...*crosses fingers*

I was listening to the breakfast show on our local HeartFM (not the London one) a couple of weeks ago, and they said that Tennant had announced that he would be leaving the series ater the Christmas 2009 special, as they were then also speculating who would step into his shoes.

From what I can find, it's pure speculation that he will leave then, although I really, really hope he decides to stay on.

Astoundingly though, one of the presenters said that Eddie Izzard had thrown his hat into the ring, and she thought he would be excellent..... :erm: She's biased though, as she's a massive Eddie Izzard fan.

I think that I would have to go sew my head to a carpet if that happened 'lol'

Of course I can't confirm any of this and it's just gossip to me until Tennant offiicially announces it, but I definitely remember them talking about it all that morning, whenever it was.... :blush:

Just useless info really :lol2:

Oh, and as for RTD stepping down, like most I am so glad that Moffat is taking over! Blink is one of my favourite episodes ever, so I'm going to be expecting great things from him! :D
Mr Pointy
05-23-2008, 03:56 AM
I would have to go sew my head to a carpet if that happened
Hehehe...I'm not entirely sure what you mean there (you don't like Eddie Izzard?)...but what a brilliant phrase :) I must try to think of a way to insert that into conversation.
edb
05-23-2008, 04:33 AM
:D Not my own phrase unfortunately, and I kinda adpated it from the original quote from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation:-

Eddie: Are ya surprised ta see me, Clark?
Clark: Eddie, if I woke up this morning with my head sewn to the carpet I wouldn't be more surprised than I am to see you right now.

I just love that phrase too! 'lol'

As for Eddie Izzard, it's not that I don't like him, but I just could not see him as the Doctor, yes he's quirky, but I think the doctor needs charisma or at least some sort of sex appeal, and well, Eddie, he just hasn't got that, well, certainly not for me anyway. ;) Especially not after Chris & David.....
N4H
05-23-2008, 06:37 AM
I had to YouTube Eddie Izzard, cause I'd never heard of him, and on Eddie as the Doctor, no thanks.

With Moffat in charge though, how about Sally Sparrow as companion? I still think there's more of the Sally Sparrow story to tell.
Mr Pointy
05-23-2008, 07:41 AM
As for Eddie Izzard, it's not that I don't like him, but I just could not see him as the Doctor, yes he's quirky, but I think the doctor needs charisma or at least some sort of sex appeal, and well, Eddie, he just hasn't got that, well, certainly not for me anyway. ;) Especially not after Chris & David.....

You know the first name that came to my mind when I read that...Russell Brand...jeez! I need help :)

...then again, if he could dial down the wackiness a whole lot and do something with his hair...hmmm...

BBC - Radio 2 - Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/amazingmusic/brand.shtml)

Russell Brand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brand)
N4H
05-23-2008, 01:34 PM
I kind of hope Moffat chooses a doctor of a type that's completely unexpected. This will establish the regeneration as Moffat's Who.

I'll give you an example. You know the guy who plays Snape in the Harry Potter movies? I don't suggest Moffat cast him specifically. I merely suggest if he did something like that it would create a firm footing for his personal Doctor Who, rather than trying to redo RTD's. I think it would be a good strategy for the guy who takes over control of the Doctor Who icon to do some kind of counter-casting like that.

It's what Davies did when he first took over the franchise. He gave you a Doctor different than what you were expecting.
Bored of the Dead
05-25-2008, 08:48 PM
You know the first name that came to my mind when I read that...Russell Brand...jeez! I need help :)

...then again, if he could dial down the wackiness a whole lot and do something with his hair...hmmm...

BBC - Radio 2 - Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/amazingmusic/brand.shtml)

Russell Brand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brand)

Russell Brand - I'd rather have MY head sewn to the ass of Russell Grant who has HIS head sewn to the Carpet.

I cannot on any level like this man and I wouldn't even be able to bring myself to watch the show.

Eddie Izzard on the other hand, I absolutely love. Gotta say, I have a wish list for the next Doctor which I discussed recently and one of the names, coincidentally, was Alan Rickman (nods approvingly at N4H). I think he would be absolutely amazing.

The other name would be someone who has kind of already played the Doctor - Rowan Atkinson (he played in a Children in Needs special).
I would like to see a slightly older, well respected actor take on the role SPECIFICALLY because I am convinced Genny, his 'daughter' is going to be the next Companion.

In a recent interview it was 'revealed' that RTD had Genny actually die in that episode and Moffat stepped in at the end, presumably knowing that he was to be the successor, and brought her back.

I think season 5 is definitely going to deal with the Doctor and his parental relationship/responsibilities.