21/05/2008

New Direction For 'The Doctor' As Davies Signs Off

The writer and producer of celebrated sci-fi series 'Doctor Who' is stepping down.

Russell T Davies, 45, was responsible for bringing the much loved cult drama back to the small screen in 2005.

Steven Moffat who has just written the screenplay for 'Tintin' will replace Davies.

"It's been a delight and honour working with Steven, and I can't wait to see where his extraordinary imagination takes the Doctor. Best of all, I get to be a viewer again, watching on a Saturday night," he said.

Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC Fiction, said: "Steven has a wonderful mix of being a committed Doctor Who fan and a true artist, and his plans for the next series are totally thrilling."

Menna Richards, Controller, BBC Wales added: "BBC Wales is very proud of Doctor Who's phenomenal success. Steven Moffat is an extraordinary talent and we are very much looking forward to him joining the Doctor Who team."

Piers Wenger will also take over the role of Executive Producer from Julie Garnder on series five of Doctor Who.

Davies has also written controversial dramas 'Queer as Folk' and 'The Second Coming'.

He will remain in charge of four Doctor Who specials to be shown next year while Moffat will lead the fifth series - which originally ran from 1963 to 1989 - to be broadcast on BBC in 2010.

Davies was voted the 15th most powerful person in The Guardian's 2007 media supplement.

(DS)


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