It looks like we’re getting the band back together because Phil Collinson is seemingly returning as Producer of Doctor Who from Series 14!
Collinson served as the show’s Producer from its revival in 2005 (although work began in earnest in 2003) until Series 4 in 2008.
Obviously, he worked alongside then-showrunner, Russell T Davies, and Executive Producer, Julie Gardner; Davies is now showrunner again, officially taking over with the show’s 60th anniversary in 2023 and continuing with at least Series 14, and Gardner will similarly be back on board as the co-founder (with Jane Tranter) of Bad Wolf Productions, co-producing Doctor Who with BBC Studios.
It really is like 2005 all over again!
Eagle-eyed fans spotted Doctor Who Series 14 on Collinson’s online CV at Independent Talent. It lists Doctor Who as “currently in development”.
Collinson and Davies have recently worked together on the hit Channel 4 drama, It’s A Sin, so we’re expecting new rumours to circulate that Olly Alexander, T’Nia Miller, or Lydia West will play the Fourteenth Doctor.
It’d be great if they could lure in some of the other people they’ve recently worked with — like It’s A Sin director, Peter Hoar (who helmed 2011’s stunning A Good Man Goes to War, and, in the interim, various Marvel projects like Daredevil, Runaways, and Cloak and Dagger); and Gentleman Jack writer, Sally Wainwright (Last Tango in Halifax; Happy Valley).
Departing showrunner, Chris Chibnall previously said:
“It’s monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who‘s 60th anniversary will see one of Britain’s screenwriting diamonds return home. Russell built the baton that is about to be handed back to him.
“Doctor Who, the BBC, the screen industry in Wales, and let’s be honest, everyone in the whole world have so many reasons to be Very Excited Indeed about what lies ahead.”
And let’s not forget that Davies, Collinson, and Gardner worked together on the superb spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures. It seems everything they touch turns to gold.
Doctor Who Series 14 is expected to start in 2023 (or maybe early 2024).
Welcome back, Phil!
