The BBC announced today that BAFTA and Hugo Award-winning writer Steven Moffat will take over as Lead Writer and Executive Producer of the fifth series of “Doctor Who” in 2010. Moffat succeeds Russell T. Davies, the man responsible for bringing “Who” back in 2005 after a sixteen year hiatus, broken only by a failed US TV Movie in 1996. While it’s big shoes to fill, Moffat is no stranger to the show having penned some of the most acclaimed episodes since it’s return. His latest two-part story is next up this year as Silence in the Library airs May 31st and Forest of the Dead broadcasts on June 7th in the UK.
“I applied before but I got knocked back ‘cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven.”
-Steven Moffat
Personally, I think this is fantastic as Moffat’s stories have been my favorite each year of the return and I’m really looking forward to his upcoming two-parter. I’ve seen two of his other shows, “Coupling” and “Jekyll”, and they have both been highly entertaining and exceptionally written. He has a definite love for the show that bodes well for its future. I only hope he decides to stay around at least as long as Davies did and perhaps even longer. This will definitely make the break next year (there will only be four special episodes in 2009) that much more unbearable, but should really generate a lot of excitement for the fifth series. Thank you very much Russell and welcome aboard Steven!
Read all the details in the BBC Press Release here!