Who Will Replace Russell T Davies as Doctor Who Showrunner? Major Speculations Ahead!

Russell T Davies, currently in his second year back as the showrunner for ‘Doctor Who’, has hinted that he’s already thinking about who might take over from him after his tenure ends. This surprising statement was made during an appearance on ‘David Tennant Does a Podcast With…’. As Davies gears up for the April premiere of the second season since his return, there’s been no official word yet on a third season from the BBC. Considering speculation about a possible break after the upcoming season, Davies’ early succession planning could indicate he might not intend to stay long at the helm of this renowned sci-fi series.

During the podcast, Davies playfully mentioned he wouldn’t visit again for a third time, to which Tennant jokingly replied that even a second return wasn’t expected by him. Davies agreed and added that he’s not getting any younger. He acknowledged that at some point, he would have to slow down, but it was on the horizon.

Davies then revealed that plans for his successor are already being discussed, saying there are thoughts and conversations about it, but it’s a complex matter. He joked about the potential consequences if he were to pass away at work, saying it would be a cliche that would make him laugh.

Looking back, Davies mentioned his previous departure when Steven Moffat took over, commenting that it was easy – almost like ‘Off you go!’ – this time around, he seems more determined to find a suitable replacement carefully.

When Chris Chibnall stepped down from being the showrunner in 2022, following his four-year tenure with Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor, not many anticipated Steven Moffat would reclaim the position he had vacated a dozen years prior. Russell T Davies initially handed over the reins to Moffat in 2010, guiding the Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and initial Whittaker eras before Chibnall came on board in 2018. This tight-knit group of creative directors makes Davies’ current deliberations about his successor quite noteworthy. Since he is one of only four individuals to oversee the modern series since its return two decades ago, whoever takes over from him will become just the fourth person to steer the show in that time frame.

Who Could Be Next Showrunner to Guide the TARDIS Through Time and Space?

A variety of writers working on Ncuti Gatwa’s forthcoming “Doctor Who” series could potentially be vying for the showrunner position. The current writing crew includes Pete McTighe, Juno Dawson, Inua Ellams, and Sharma Angel-Walfall. Their familiarity with the Doctor Who universe, coupled with their past work with Davies, might make this season a kind of trial run for bigger roles in the series’ future.

In the second season ahead, Ncuti Gatwa carries on his role as the Fifteenth Doctor, and Varada Sethu joins the cast as the latest companion named Belinda Chandra. This is following Ruby Sunday’s (Millie Gibson) exit at the end of last season. The freshly revealed trailer for Doctor Who hints at an exploration of various themes such as intergalactic music events, planets in conflict, and a particularly intriguing aspect – Alan Cumming’s Mr. Ring-a-Ding, a 2D animated character that can now enter the real world.

Season 2 of Gatwa’s Doctor Who is set to premiere on April 12th.

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2025-03-14 12:09