Chris Chibnall on Doctor Who, Broadchurch and Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials – The Radio Times Writers’ Room

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Welcome back to The TopMob Writers’ Room!

We’re excited to welcome Chris Chibnall, the creator of the popular crime series Broadchurch and the former showrunner for Doctor Who.

Chris Chibnall began his television writing career by co-creating the historical medical drama Born and Bred. He later wrote for Life on Mars and also worked on a Merlin series that wasn’t ultimately produced.

He’s been a Doctor Who enthusiast his whole life, and began working on the show’s extended universe with Torchwood, where he was the lead writer for both seasons. He went on to write episodes for the main Doctor Who series featuring both David Tennant and Matt Smith as the Doctor. Then, in 2018, he became the showrunner, creating a new era that famously introduced the first female Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker.

Jodie Whittaker was chosen for the role because she had previously worked with the showrunner, Chris Chibnall, on the popular ITV drama Broadchurch. That series captivated the country for three seasons and helped launch Olivia Colman’s career to greater success.

With Seven Dials, Chris Chibnall adapts Agatha Christie for the first time, tackling a story by one of history’s most popular novelists.

Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent in this series. When a prank at a fancy house party turns deadly, she unexpectedly takes on the role of an investigator.

The series also features Martin Freeman and Helena Bonham Carter. Writer Chris Chibnall describes it as a fast-paced, movie-like thriller, and notes it’s a departure from Agatha Christie’s usual style.

During our conversation, Chibnall discussed his experience with Law & Order UK, shared which season of Torchwood he felt was his best work, and gave a sneak peek at the upcoming TV adaptation of his book, Death at the White Hart.

He shared a few of his most beloved writing moments and clarified that he doesn’t plan to write for Doctor Who again.

He explained he felt complete with his past work and wasn’t eager to revisit it. He generally avoids repeating experiences, preferring to focus on new challenges and opportunities. He’s excited about exploring things he hasn’t tried before and moving forward.

That’s why I decided to write a novel this year – I just wanted to give it a try. After having a great time and doing so much with Doctor Who, it feels like the right time to let someone else take the lead.

You’ve earned a valuable position, and it’s natural to wonder who will come next and what they’ll bring to the table. However, I personally don’t spend time thinking about that.

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Watch the complete video at the beginning of this article, and stay tuned for future visits to The TopMob Writers’ Room!

While you wait, you can also revisit our interviews with Mark Gatiss, Harry and Jack Williams, Noah Hawley, Neil Cross, and Steven Knight.

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Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

As someone who’s totally obsessed with TV, I’ve been following James Hibbs’ work for a while now. He’s a drama writer at TopMob, which means he covers shows from all over – everything from streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ to traditional TV channels. Before that, he was in public relations, first at a business-focused agency and then at Fremantle, a big international production company. He’s got a solid background too, with a BA in English and Theatre Studies, plus a journalism diploma – so he really knows his stuff when it comes to understanding and writing about the shows we love.

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2026-01-15 11:18