RUSSELL T. DAVIES:Thats like asking me, Whats the meaning of life?
Its something Im immensely proud of.
I often get asked, Do you mind being identified as a gay writer?
‘Doctor Who’: Viewers complained when the BBC used AI to promote the sci-fi series.BBC/ DISNEY +
And I say, Im absolutely delighted to be.
Im identified by that.
What a fine label to have.
Doctor WhoBBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon
I consider myself to be very lucky, genuinely, throughout my life.
And Im lucky that I was one that burst through and got that onscreen.
When you get lucky like that, I think you have to act with responsibility.
I know its a very hungry audience that is rarely satisfied.
I met someone recently who loved a show Id written calledCucumber.
Believe me, that show died a deathno one likedCucumber.
So, meeting someone who loved it was such a special moment for me.
And its my job to look beyond that because theres no point in sitting still.
I have to look at myself and be certain that Ive moved on.
I look to society and give a shot to listen to whats going on and open gateways.
And I think that keeps you topical and alert.
It means you cant quite settle into middle age because your rights are not enshrined and are paper thin.
I dont take any joy or satisfaction in being proved right in this at all.
This is also reflected in some of the themes laid out in the early episodes of the show.
The thing that particularly jumped out to me was the mental health of it all.
Its not all misery; theres real joy in being a teenager.
So thats the world Im in now, and thats very much the world I wanted forDoctor Who.
The bloodline doesnt answer everything about who I am.
My dad almost playing rugby for Wales; he was a big rugby captain.
So, I even think, where do I come from?
Were all wondering who we are, and I think thats a very modern question to put intoDoctor Who.
I love writing this stuff.
DEADLINE: This season has so much zaniness than in the previous iterations.
Now thatDoctor Whohas a Disney budget, how has that amplified your approach for the new season?
DAVIES:I wanted the show to be fun and a bit nuts.
So, I think its time for a show just to break those rules.
Writing is about the heart and the pulse and sparks in the brain.
Writing is about psychology.
Its about understanding people and why they do what they do.
Its not about hitting a particular beat 17 minutes in.
So, I wanted to show this kind of laughing in the face of those rules.
Doctor Whohas its own charm and property; its always been mad.
And I can promise there is lots more of that to come [in future episodes].
Theres always good and bad at work.
Theres always a crisis for the Doctor.
Theres always the human companion to experience things through.
DEADLINE: Speaking of music, theres quite a bit of singing this season.
When you cast Ncuti andMillie Gibson, did you tell them theyd do all this beforehand?
DAVIES:To be honest, we didnt.
Just in case they ran away [laughs].
I think they were surprised.
But they loved it.
it’s possible for you to see from the finished result how much.
They are just two such talented people.
So, any challenge like that is done with the biggest grin.
Because its not just all fun, and they absolutely dedicated themselves to getting that right.
So, its a lot of work for everyone, but always worth it.
Doctor Whois nowstreamingon Disney+, with new episodes every week until June 21, 2024.
