Showrunner Chris Chibnall has developed new and exciting talent during his reign at Doctor Who, be it, new actors, directors, or writers Doctor Who: Legend of the Sea Devils is no exception. This episode features writer Ella Road.
Ella Road is considered to be one of Britain’s up-and-coming playwriters. After completing her education with a BA in English from Oxford University and a MA in Drama from the Oxford School of Drama, she started her professional acting. However, after two years of chasing around for fulfilling roles, she decided she wanted to be in charge of her career and turned to writing.
In 2018, her first play ‘The Phlebotomist” premiered in the Hampstead Theatre. In this futuristic thriller, your life prospects are determined by a “blood test rating.” Your genetic profile determines everything from your dream job, mortgage, and partner. How far would you go for a perfect life if your genetics didn’t rate?
The play was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre and achieved a finalist position for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. It was also adapted as an audio play for BBC Radio 3. Quite an outstanding achievement for a debut.
The success lead to other opportunities including a second play “Fair Play” which debuted at the Bush Theatre. Focused on two women athletes, the story reveals the destructive side of competition as the friends’ fight to achieve their ultimate goal – Olympic victory.
During the pandemic, opportunities for writers as with other creatives were limited but Road was able to join in with Almeida Theatre and create a short film “Something will Disappear.” The short, filmed under strict Covid rules, reminds of our responsibility and stewardship to our planet. We must face climate change.
Road has named Britain the most promising young playwright by The Telegraph. The recognistion and talent has opened doors for Road. She has co-written, Doctor Who’s Spring special alongside Chris Chibnall. She also has three TV series, one film, and two plays in production for 2022.
In her latest project, The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and her companions, Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop) battle one of Doctor Who’s classic monsters, the Sea Devils, aboard an ancient pirate ship. What better way for a new writer to jump into television work.
Doctor Who returns with Legend of the Sea Devils on Easter Sunday, at 7.10pm on BBC One in the UK, and 2pm on BBC America in the US
In a swashbuckling special adventure, the Doctor, Yaz and Dan come face to fin with one of the Doctor’s oldest adversaries, the Sea Devils. Why has legendary pirate queen Madam Ching come searching for a lost treasure? What terrifying forces lurk beneath the oceans of the 19th century? And did Yaz really have to dress Dan up as a pirate?
The episode will be available on iPlayer once the episode has aired on BBC One
