Doctor Who legend Mark Gatiss reveals key problem for writing episodes: “Nostalgia is a dangerous thing”

In my perspective as a film critic, I must acknowledge that Gatiss graced our screens multiple times throughout this series, adopting no less than four unique personas spread across a remarkable five episodes.

Despite his deep affection for the series, Gatiss made it clear that he needed to view working on the show as “just a job,” avoiding being swept away by the allure of its rich history, which he referred to as “the cherry on top.

He stated, “Rather than focusing on nostalgia, the real effort behind updating this show is to cater to a fresh audience, and I believe that’s what sets it apart.

The original statement is: “You have to go, ‘Right, why will this work now? It doesn’t really matter what worked for Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, it’s about now. So if we’re trying to attract an audience now, this show is the same, but different’. So, to me, it was always a combination of those things.”

“The key question is why will this work today, rather than focusing on what worked for Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker in the past. If we aim to engage today’s audience, the show should resemble its earlier versions but offer a fresh take. In my opinion, it has always been about finding a balance between these two aspects.

Speaking of an intriguing matter, I find myself reflecting: There’s something peculiar about my experiences, having brought back countless items, yet I believe nostalgia poses a formidable adversary. We must all exercise caution regarding it. I sense it plays a significant role in our current predicament – the manipulative power of nostalgia. ‘Nothing compares to the past,’ is a phrase often repeated, and yet many overlook the truth that such sentiments have always echoed, even when times were apparently superior. It’s a dangerous misconception.

Interestingly, my initial work for Doctor Who was writing a novel for Virgin Books during an interval, a period marked by uncertainty and disorder. This book reflects those turbulent times.

The concept revolves around nostalgia being a foreign entity thriving on memories. It amuses me to return to this idea often, for despite my fondness for past relics, the essence of the show lies in its persistent reinvention.

Occasionally, when I encounter cranky old Doctor Who enthusiasts, one might reflect, “You’ve stumbled into the same time vortex trap, thinking it’s not as good as before because it no longer caters to your tastes. If you still enjoy it, that’s wonderful! It continues to be fantastic, but it’s just not meant for you.

As a movie critic, let me share my thoughts on a particularly memorable episode: “Robot of Sherwood, starring Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, stands out for its unique twist on the classic tale of Robin Hood, where our hero and the Doctor engage in an unconventional battle using nothing but spoons. This fight scene left quite an impression on me, and it was amusingly echoed at a friend’s wedding reception when their sons decided to reenact the scene with their very own spoons! It seemed fitting – as if that episode had somehow managed to encapsulate and embody the spirit of camaraderie and fun that we all strive for in our own lives.

Throughout his appearances on the series, Gatiss predominantly unveiled novel adversaries for the Doctor to confront, such as the Gelth and the Weaver.

Yet, it’s worth noting that he penned an episode featuring the Daleks, entitled “Victory of the Daleks,” marking the first and to date sole instance where he reintroduced the Ice Warriors into the series.

When queried if he had ever pondered resurrecting additional monsters, he responded by stating that he hadn’t. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a forward-thinking perspective and continuously developing fresh ideas instead.

He remarked, “It seems you aspire to create something as remarkable as the Krynoids or the Zygons, and what a marvelous achievement that would be!

The goal is indeed ambitious, as you might expect. Plus, it’s thrilling to imagine confronting the Daleks or resurrecting the Ice Warriors, a race I held in high esteem.

However, we aimed to introduce a unique twist to this. Initially, Steven [Moffat] was hesitant, as they were known for being slow and cumbersome. But I proposed, “What if there’s something within it that moves swiftly,” and his eyes sparkled with excitement, and I managed to convince him of my idea.

He went on to say: “However, I don’t completely agree. I often reflect, like many others do, on Tom Baker’s first three years and the tenure of Philip Hinchcliffe. The Daleks and Cybermen were already established characters, but those scripts and the Daleks brought something extraordinary. It transformed the Daleks into ‘Genesis of the Daleks,’ one of the most remarkable stories in the series.

After that point, it felt as though everything was brand new. New characters, right? We encountered the Zygons, Morbius, and the Krynoids one after another. The Zygons were the only ones who initially returned for their 50th anniversary celebration; the others remained untouched because there seemed little need for a follow-up story.

I’m constantly seeking fresh ideas, but finding something as exceptional can be challenging. Additionally, there’s a bit of longing for the past in me.

In a different part of the discussion within the “TopMob Writers’ Room,” Gatiss shared insights about his projects including The League of Gentlemen, Sherlock, and his newest venture, Bookish, where he not only pens the script but also takes on the role.

You can watch Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer. As for Bookish, it airs every Wednesday on U&Alibi. The entire series is available for streaming on-demand on Sky, Virgin, BT, and TalkTalk.

Explore our comprehensive guide on Doctor Who stories: reviews for every episode since 1963, along with cast and crew information, behind-the-scenes trivia, and exclusive content from the TopMob archive. For additional insights into popular television personalities, tune in to The TopMob Podcast.