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Russell T Davies teases second series of his Doctor Who return and promises episodes tackling climate change-Louise Griffin-Entertainment – Metro
‘There are stories on the way that are specifically looking at stuff like that’.
Russell T Davies opened up about the future of Doctor Who (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Russell T Davies has opened up about the future of Doctor Who beyond 2023, even hinting what series 15 might bring, including stories about climate change.
It was previously announced that Russell – also known to fans as RTD – would be returning to the BBC sci-fi for a second reign as showrunner after he rebooted the show it in 2005. He’ll be returning to helm the 60th anniversary and ‘series beyond.’
Russell has now suggested he’ll be back for at least two series, as he spoke about potentially exploring topics like the climate emergency in Doctor Who.
‘It’s hard because the Doctor’s such a genius, it’s such an in-built problem with the show. He’s such a genius, you think, “Why don’t you step out of the Tardis and fix this problem?” and then you have to take a deep breath where he makes a moral speech and says, “It’s up to the human race to solve that problem,” which is a very true speech – it’s also a dodge,’ he said on a livestream for BBC Academy’s Climate Creatives 2022.
While he acknowledged that it’s also important for the show to be an adventure and make audiences happy, he confirmed: ‘There are stories on the way that are specifically looking at stuff like that – not all the time, but it has to become part of the atmosphere of the whole show, because it’s true. It’s the world we’re living in right now.
‘And I’m much more interested in trying to look at – very much looking forward to season two actually – which is how we ignore these things. I think that’s very interesting. No, that’s already in some of the specials, isn’t it? How we think of ourselves and don’t look at the bigger picture’.
Jodie’s final episode will air this month (Picture: BBC Studios/James Pardon/Matt Burlem)
Ncuti Gatwa will take over from Jodie (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Speaking about writing Doctor Who in 2004, Russell said he was ‘very worried’ that children were always being told about death and destruction, referencing a speech in series one of the reboot, when Christopher Ecclestone’s Ninth Doctor speaks about the human race always being worried that various things (including ‘the weather’) will kill them.
‘I wanted to do something that didn’t have children walking to school thinking, “Oh my god, we’re going to die,”‘ he explained.
‘It’s very interesting coming to Doctor Who now. Again, I want to provide optimism for that audience, I think particularly a six-year-old watching it, I want to provide hope, but that speech seems a little hopelessly naïve now,’ Russell went on.
‘I think you have to be more honest,’ he pointed out, adding that it’s now become essential to talk about issues like climate change.
As Russell mentioned, it wouldn’t be the first time climate change is tackled in Doctor Who, with previous episodes including series one’s The End Of The World, series four’s The Waters Of Mars, and series 12’s Orphan 55 all referencing global warming.
Jodie Whittaker’s final episode, written by departing showrunner Chris Chibnall and due to air this month, will see the Doctor come face to face with the Daleks, Cybermen and the Master before her regeneration.
Ncuti Gatwa will take over as the Doctor afterwards, with Russell returning for the 60th anniversary, which will star David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Yasmin Finney and Neil Patrick Harris.
Doctor Who returns to BBC One this autumn.
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