Doctor Who Series 1 director, Joe Ahearne, has spoken about being asked to return to the programme, and the reason he didn’t come back.

At a BFI event celebrating 20 years since Doctor Who returned to screens fronted by the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), Ahearne explained:

“I kind of felt that I’d already come back, because I’d only come on to do two episodes and then they invited me back for another three… so I feel like I did three series in one.

“I did love my time working on it, but I don’t think any other director has done five episodes in a single series – it’s a huge commitment, so I was kind of Doctor Who-ed out by the end.”

Indeed, Joe helmed Dalek (i.e. the episode in which the Doctor’s greatest enemy showed up for the first time since 1988), Father’s Day, Boom Town, and the Series 1 finale, Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways, which saw the Ninth Doctor regenerate into the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant).

And Ahearne was asked to direct more episodes apparently because Eccleston got on so well with him, and has often spoken in glowing terms about the director. That enthusiasm for their collaboration comes through on the screen too — they’re stylish and engaging, emotional and punchy. The writing is top notch, of course, and only enhanced by Ahearne’s excellent aesthetics.

So, yes, it’s a shame he’s not come back to Doctor Who yet. But never say never…