Let me tell you, running Doctor Who isn’t a job for the faint of heart. It’s the longest-running sci-fi show ever, and since its comeback in 2005, only three people have been at the helm: Russell T Davies (who’s done it twice now!), Steven Moffat, and Chris Chibnall. What makes a perfect showrunner for this show? Well, you need to be incredibly creative and a fantastic writer, and you have to be good at managing people, handling all the behind-the-scenes stuff, and understanding how to deal with the press. Basically, it’s an impossible checklist. And honestly, it feels like the job is getting even tougher with each passing year, which might explain why Chris Chibnall’s run and Russell T Davies’ second time around both faced some challenges.
Everything points to Russell T. Davies leaving as showrunner after the Doctor Who Christmas special in 2026. While the BBC has stated the show will go on, they haven’t announced who will take over, leading many to believe a new showrunner is planned. The current period, often called “RTD2,” hasn’t been as successful as hoped, and the deal with Disney+ fell apart because of low ratings. This raises the question: who should be the next person in charge of Doctor Who?
Doctor Who’s Latest Spinoff Confirms Who the Showrunner Should Be
Pete McTighe, a seasoned writer and showrunner with several years of experience on Doctor Who under both Chris Chibnall and Russell T Davies, recently shared his passion for the show. In an interview with The Doctor Who Companion, McTighe revealed that Doctor Who inspired him to become a writer, even after creating and running his own shows and writing hundreds of hours of television. He’s known for prioritizing strong character development, which was evident in his episode, “Lucky Day,” which explored life from the perspective of people the Doctor doesn’t usually interact with.
The recent Doctor Who spinoff, The War Between the Land and the Sea, felt like a crucial test for writer McTighe, a chance to demonstrate his potential as a future showrunner. Despite some imperfections, it was easily the best Doctor Who story in years and firmly established McTighe as a leading candidate for the role. The story featured compelling character development, a well-executed overall plot, and a refreshing take on familiar themes.
Recent seasons of Doctor Who have relied too heavily on nostalgia, as if simply referencing past stories would attract viewers. However, this approach has made the show harder for newcomers to enjoy, prioritizing complex continuity over compelling character development. Surprisingly, the episode The War Between the Land and the Sea successfully reintroduced the classic Sea Devils without getting bogged down in obscure references, making it surprisingly easy for both longtime fans and new viewers to understand and enjoy.
Look, I’ll admit, some of Pete McTighe’s Doctor Who episodes haven’t quite hit the mark – “Kerblam!” especially felt a bit off with its messaging. But I think the biggest issue when judging his work is that he was writing during Chris Chibnall’s run, which was surprisingly cautious politically. It almost felt like Chibnall was deliberately moving away from the show’s usual themes, and honestly, it’s possible McTighe didn’t have full creative control over everything. I think “The War Between the Land and the Sea” really shows what he’s capable of, though – that’s his best work so far, in my opinion.
There May Be a Better Way to Run Doctor Who
During a talk at the Oxford Union, former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat discussed the challenges of finding a replacement for Chris Chibnall. He noted that most qualified candidates are hesitant to take the job, understanding how incredibly difficult it is. He’s right – the showrunner role for Doctor Who has always been extremely demanding, and it now seems nearly impossible to succeed. It’s clear both recent showrunners, including Russell T. Davies, who successfully revived the show in 2005, have faced significant struggles.
The science fiction show Doctor Who might learn from the changes happening at Star Wars. Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, is reportedly going to be replaced by Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. Running a major film studio has become an incredibly demanding job, and Lucasfilm’s answer is to divide the responsibilities. This same idea – having two people in charge, one focused on the creative side and the other on management – could potentially work well for Doctor Who too.
If McTighe were to co-lead the show, he’d be an excellent fit. He’s consistently shown strong creative vision, not only with Doctor Who but also in successful series like A Discovery of Witches, The Pact, and The Rising. He clearly understands the established story elements, but as The War Between the Land and the Sea demonstrates, he prioritizes compelling storytelling over simply relying on familiar tropes, which makes even classic villains feel innovative. McTighe seems like the ideal candidate, assuming the role is manageable and any necessary adjustments are made.
Who would you like to see take over as the showrunner for Doctor Who? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-01-19 19:13