Hi - to keep this brief, I usually upload the old Production Notes from Doctor Who Magazine but there was a comment on the subreddit recently asking if the below interview from DWM in lockdown time last year - where RTD and Moffat interview each other - has been uploaded or transcribed anywhere.
It turned out that it hadn't so as a one off (and it's very likely going to be a one off, I should make that clear), by special request (and considering it contained potentially relevant information, given that RTD was announced to be coming back), I volunteered to do it. Hope you enjoy!
Also, the latest edition of Doctor Who Magazine is on sale now, previewing the final episodes of Series 13. Old Production Notes posting will resume shortly.
Extraordinary times call for an extraordinary feature. Former showrunners Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat have been interviewed many times... but never by each other. Russell was enthused by our idea, so sent Steven an email. Then Steven sent one back. "We answered each other's questions," says Russell. "And now and then it got a bit conversation-y..."
STEVEN: After you were offered the job of showrunner, I know you took a while to say yes (as I did). What was the point when you knew you were going to do it? Not necessarily when you admitted that to the Beeb or whatever - just when you knew. You career was stellar, Doctor Who was not a respected brand - what was the OH I JUST HAVE TO like?
RUSSELL: It was Julie. When Julie Gardner was made Head of Drama at BBC Wales. Before that, I'd had very strong doubts. It's hard to understand from outside the industry, but for a freelancer to go from the independent sector to in-house BBC is unheard of. And let's be honest, for very successful freelancers, like you, me and Chris Chibnall... never! I've been trying to think of another show where that happens. It's just not done. It means ceding control and authorship and copyright to a higher power. It's a career in reverse. And I had massive doubts about working within the BBC, because everyone said it was full of censorship, restrictions and red tape. But then I was on holiday in France in 2003, and Julie phoned me up to say she'd got the BBC Wales job. She told me: "Jane Tranter [Controller of Drama Commissioning] said I could have Doctor Who and we'd make it in Wales." And that was it. Click. I'm in. Away from London, with Julie. Perfect. I knew she could handle the BBC side of it. And I was right - w
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