RTD Leaves

[RitaLittlewood]

And about time! From BBC Online:

Page last updated at 17:22 GMT, Tuesday, 20 May 2008 18:22 UK

Doctor Who guru Davies steps down

Russell T Davies is to step down as executive producer of Doctor Who, the BBC has announced.

Davies is credited with breathing new life into the show which he brought back to television screens in 2005.

Bafta-winning writer Steven Moffat will succeed Davies as lead writer and executive producer of the fifth series of Doctor Who.

Moffat said that the whole of his career had been "a secret plan to get this job".

BBC Fiction controller Jane Tranter said the past four series of Doctor Who had been "brilliantly helmed" by the "spectacularly talented" Davies.

"As lead writer and executive producer, he has overseen the creative direction and detail of the 21st century re-launch of Doctor Who and we are delighted to have his continued presence on the specials over the next 18 months," she added.

Davies will remain in charge of four specials to be shown in 2009.

The fifth series, with Moffat at the helm, is scheduled to be broadcast on BBC One in Spring 2010.

Moffat has already written some of the most memorable Doctor Who episodes of recent times, including The Girl in the Fireplace and The Empty Child.

Earlier this month, he picked up the best writer Bafta for the Blink episode of series three which featured terrifying weeping angels.

Moffat said: "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."

Doctor Who's return after a 16-year break from the screen received praise from critics and fans alike.

Speaking after the first series of the revamped show in 2005 - which starred Christopher Eccleston as the Time Lord - Davies said Doctor Who had been in desperate need of regeneration.

"I love Doctor Who and I love the old Doctor Who," he said.
"But, even with all that love, you have to admit that the name of the programme had become a joke and its reputation had become a cheap joke at that - you know, rubber monsters and shaky sets."

He added: "It's been everything we planned and more, and it's very rarely in life you get the chance to have that happen."

The programme, complete with time machine the Tardis, originally ran from 1963 to 1989.

In that time, the lead role was played by eight different actors with writers taken advantage of the Doctor's ability to regenerate his body.

Eccleston and current Time Lord David Tennant take that number to 10.

DAVIES' CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Children's Ward (1993-1995)
Touching Evil (1997)
Queer As Folk (1999)
Casanova (2005)
Doctor Who (2005-2008)
Torchwood (2006-2008)

MOFFAT'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Press Gang (1989)
Coupling (2000)
Jekyll (2007)
Doctor Who (2005 onwards )
Tintin (2008 onwards)
-------------------------------------------------------------

Pity it's not sooner. Steven Moffatt wrote some excellent Big Finish stories. Maybe it can go in a new direction with him and there'll be no more stupid families, no more stupid lurve, no more being the companion show.

Patsy

[sootycat]

Well we knew this was coming.

I am looking forward to the input of the new producer, he has written some good episodes.

Lets hope when he takes over.........he doesn't keep the good doctor as 'earthbound' as his predecessor.

[RitaLittlewood]

I wish he'd gone when he originally kept saying he would. I think David Tennant will go too.

Patsy

[Peter]

Those Moffatt episode are some of my favourite ones especially Girl In The Fireplace. Also loved Blink. I don't think it's all been bad though.

Yes this series is mediocre and he's made errors and bad decisions, especially being Earthbound as Sooty mentioned, which is you know is a BIG pet peeve of mine but, you've got to look at some of the positives!

I look forward to Moffatt taking over, perhaps he'll ditch this "X" specials in one year plan, unless the BEEB is really desperate for money? Can't think why - we pay enough for the license for all the crap on there there is to watch.

[RitaLittlewood]

Just a shame we have to wait untl 2010 to see his handiwork. Might not still be on then.

Patsy

[eithne]

No real surprise here then. I wonder when the announcement about DT's departure will be? Bit surprised about the timing of RTD's announcement since there is no episode on this weekend with the Eurovision.

As for Moffatt I agree it will be interesting to see his handiwork and Blink was a great episode. I think it'll be bad with no series next year, but then in another way it'll be good as it will give the new exec producer a whole year to decide where he wants to bring the show and what he wants to do with it. Then hopefully it'll be 13 brilliant episodes come 2010.

[RitaLittlewood]

I'll go back watching when RTD leaves. He really is worse than JNT and I am sick to the back teeth of it being referred to as RTD's DW when it bloody isn't.

Patsy