Former Doctor Who showrunner, Steven Moffat has penned a new short story starring Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor – the first, and perhaps only, time he’s written for this incarnation.
The Terror Of The Umpty Ums is an uplifting tale written specifically for fans who are finding the current situation a great strain. No spoilers, but it’s optimistic and honest, encouraging people to reach out and ask for help if they need it, and be there for others too.
It also revisits an idea from the Matt Smith era, which is always welcome! Of his inspiration, Moffat says:
“Because of the particular circumstances I was kind of thinking about, why do stories matter at all? And maybe they don’t. Maybe stories don’t matter, I’m not clear on that at all. But I wrote a story about how stories can be important. And how the Doctor sits in the head of people who follow those adventures, particularly children.”
Moffat gets the Thirteenth Doctor’s voice spot-on, of course. He says:
“And it was lovely to write Jodie’s Doctor – I found it quite easy. It’s a very vivid portrayal, Jodie and Chris have set down very clear lines about how she operates and how she talks.
“And of course, a lot of the Doctor is just the Doctor! It’s mostly the Doctor with a tiny bit of this Doctor. I’m kind of used to the Doctor, and I’m kind of used to writing different ones.”
Indeed, he’s scripted full episodes featuring the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors, plus the War Doctor, and a short for the Eighth. Add in the cameos of all previous Doctors in The Day of the Doctor, and Moffat is now the only person to have written for all thirteen Doctors!
