Today might be the day that preparations for the next Doctor Who entered a new phase
In what’s become his signature style, returning Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies often posts in his Instagram account pictures of his glasses perched on his forehead, the rest of his face cut off, while the sight behind him reflects whatever he’s doing that day. Sometimes that’s an outing to an event, or a visit with family or friends. But he also sometimes teases new developments this way. Most famously, last year he posted his usual glasses image but with the Gallifrey behind him. And then a few hours later, his return to Doctor Who was officially announced. And today he may have done it again…
Today’s posts features Davies in front of Bad Wolf Studios in Cardiff, the studio complex that’s Doctor Who’s new home. Somewhere within its walls in the coming months, the Bad Wolf team will be constructing the Fourteenth Doctor’s TARDIS set, and assembling wardrobes for the new Doctor and their friends, while new monster and aliens will take shape for new adventures. Davies description of his photo simply read “Roar” accompanied by an emoji of a wolf. But, significantly, the official Doctor Who Instagram account replied with wide eyes and the show’s outgoing executive producer Matt Strevens commented “That’s it, back to work. Jolly good.”
It will be over 21 months until we see Davies’ Doctor Who debuts, but more news is likely imminent now
We know from interviews that Davies has given that he’s already written multiple scripts for the new Doctor’s adventures, and that the search for the new cast began just before Christmas. But Davies’ presence on-site at Bad Wolf suggests that pre-production on Doctor Who Series Fourteen is entering a new phase. Filming is likely still a little while away, but it suggests we’re at the point when Davies’ famous ‘tone meetings’ about planning for upcoming episodes are beginning. Perhaps even set designs and wardrobe choices to review. And, who knows, maybe even a Doctor to whom to give a tour of their new home…
Jodie Whittaker’s final two episodes are still to come this year. Following that, it will be a long wait before we get to see Russell T Davies’ new era reach our screens for the 60th Anniversary in November 2023. All the same, it’s exciting to see preparations for that milestone pick up speed.
Doctor Who returns this Spring with Legend of the Sea Devils
Legend of the Sea Devils finds the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop) in 19th century China, where a small coastal village is under threat – from both the fearsome pirate queen Madame Ching (Crystal Yu) and a monstrous alien force which she unwittingly unleashes. Will the Doctor, Yaz and Dan emerge from this swashbuckling battle with the Sea Devils to save the planet?
A job ad for Bad Wolf for an unnamed series has shooting starting in mid-April and running through to the end of June 2023.