Steven Moffat has revealed that he believes Doctor Who could ‘go on forever’ as Russell T Davies prepares to take over as showrunner for its 60th Anniversary.
The writer, who was showrunner for the iconic BBC series from 2010 to 2017, compared its status to similar pop culture legends such as King Arthur and Sherlock Holmes.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com at the Radio Times Covers party, Steven also revealed that Russell had shared details of his plans for the upcoming 14th series, which will see Ncuti Gatwa take on the role of The Doctor.
He said: ‘I just want it to go on. I want it to not stop. I want it to, and I know [Russell’s] going to, make use of its infinite adaptability to always be the number one predator in the environment.’
‘That’s what I want. I want it to go on forever. I believe it can. Like the stories of Robin Hood and King Arthur and Sherlock Holmes. Some things always go on.’
Infinite: Steven Moffat has revealed that he believes Doctor Who could ‘go on forever’ as Russell T Davies prepares to take over as showrunner for its 60th Anniversary
Steven also penned multiple episodes for Doctor Who during Russell’s first stint as showrunner, including the critically-lauded The Girl In The Fireplace.
However, he went onto admit he has no plans to return to the show under Russell’s tenure, even to write a single episode.
He added: ‘It would be career madness even by my standard to go back into a junior capacity on a show I used to run,” he said. “I would have to be insane to do that.’
Since leaving Who in 2017, Steven has gone onto write the 2020 miniseries Dracula with Mark Gatiss, as well as The Time Traveler’s Wife and Inside Man last year.
He also co-created and wrote the BBC series Sherlock, which aired from 2010 to 2017, and starred Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular detective.
It was announced in 2021 that Russell would be returning to Doctor Who as showrunner, beginning with a trio of 60th Anniversary episodes later this year.
David Tennant will reprise his role as The Doctor for the specials, alongside Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.
Ncuti will then take over the role as the titular Time Lord over the festive period, ahead of a 14th series in 2024.
Legendary: The writer, who was showrunner for the iconic series from 2010 to 2017, compared its status to King Arthur and Sherlock Holmes, ahead of David Tennant’s return later this year
He’s back! Russell is set to return to Doctor Who as showrunner for its 60th Anniversary later this year, have previously helmed the series from 2005 to 2009
Coronation Street star Millie Gibson will also join the cast The Doctor’s companion Ruby Sunday.
Meanwhile, Doctor Who bosses recently said they considered casting a non-binary actor for the Fifteenth Time Lord, before casting Ncuti .
Russell spoke about the search to find Jodie Whittaker’s replacement with actors from ‘all backgrounds and genders’ taking part in the audition process.
Coming soon! Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will take over the role of The Doctor in Christmas 2023, ahead of the 14th series next year
The screenwriter, 59, reflected on the casting process and how both he and executive producer Phil Collinson had a rough vision that the new Doctor would be played by someone under 30.
‘As ever, we turned to Andy Pryor [casting director] and said, ”Bring us the best in the land.” We saw all backgrounds, all genders,’ Russell told Radio Times’ Doctor Who magazine.
‘We saw men, we saw women, we saw one non-binary actor.
‘I think, as a rule, we were looking for younger – most of the people we saw were under 30 – but not as a definite rule, and kind of new talent.’
While Russell kept coy on which actors took part in the audition process, he admitted bosses nearly gave the role of Doctor Who to someone else, before Ncuti bagged the role.
Coming soon: Coronation Street star Millie Gibson will also join the cast The Doctor’s companion Ruby Sunday
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