Doctor Who’s Russell T Davies has addressed plans for who will succeed him as showrunner in the future, explaining “conversations” are already underway. Davies served as the original showrunner for the sci-fi series' revival in 2005, overseeing the seasons starring Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor and David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor. He returned to his role starting with the 2023 60th anniversary episodes prior to season 14, and retained his role into the upcomingDoctor Whoseason 15. His return to the series ushered in a new era as well, starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor.
Speaking with Tennant himself on his podcastDavid Tennant Does a Podcast With…(viaRadio Times),Davies confirmed he would not return toDoctor Who"a third time" after his current stint as showrunner. Instead, “conversations” are already happening about who will take up the mantle when he’s done, even though he doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. But he does mention he’ll need to slow his work at some point, even if it’s not in the immediate future. Check out what Davies said to Tennant below:
That’s very true, but I’m not getting younger, darling.
But I will need to slow down at some point. That’ll come. Last time it was Steven Moffat [who replaced him], that wasn’t even a day’s work, like, ‘Right, off you go!’
“There’s thinking about that, there’s conversations about that, but it’s hard. It’s a tricky one. But they better exist… imagine, I’m dead at the desk. The cliche would kill me!
What Davies' Statement Says About Doctor Who’s Future Showrunner
A Plan For His Departure Might Already Be In Place
Davies doesn’t seem to be leaving the series anytime soon, ashe’s anticipated to return as showrunner for a potential season 16should the series get renewed. He’s also working on theupcoming spinoffThe War Between the Land and the Sea, a five-episode miniseries centered around UNIT and the Sea Devils expected to be released in 2025. His plans for the franchise clearly stretch beyond the original show itself, signaling it may be quite some time before he hands the reins over to somebody else.
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The last time Davies left the series as showrunner, he gave the title to Steven Moffat, who’d been a writer on the series since it began. The handoff also included the retirement of Tennant’s Tenth Doctor, who regenerated into Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor. Something similar happened when Chris Chibnall was placed in charge, overseeing only Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor. When Davies does decide to end his tenure, it will likely mean thecast ofDoctor Whowill change as well, with Gatwa’s Doctor or a future actor’s rendition coming to a close as well.
Our Take On Davies Already Planning His Departure From Doctor Who
It Makes Sense For Him To Have A Plan In Place
Although Davies still has plenty of plans in place for the sci-fi series' future, it makes sense for him to be planning his departure from the franchise already. This is his second time as showrunner for the twenty-year-old revival, meaning there’s no guarantee that he’s going to stay on the series forever. SinceDoctor Whois an ever-evolving franchise, it’s only reasonable for the person in charge to be thinking of its long-term future after he’s departed from the series.
Doctor Whoseason 15 premieres Saturday, April 12 on BBC One and Disney+.
Doctor Who
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Doctor Who: Released on August 20, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
