Anyone else getting 2022 flashbacks? The Doctor and companions are gone, the showrunner is in a precarious position after low ratings, and there’s no answer on the horizon. Last time, the BBC ended up re-enlisting Russell T Davies, but for most of us, it was a toss-up between bad and worse. With no heir apparent, it’s time for the BBC to think outside the box for the next showrunner. Hearing that J. Michael Straczynski is interested in writing for the show is intriguing, so I’d like to throw another suggestion into the ring: Dean Devlin.
Primarily associated with the blockbusters Independence Day, Stargate, and Godzilla, it’s Devlin’s work for the small screen that intrigues me. I was introduced to his work with the TNT show, The Librarians (2014-18).
The franchise began with the made-for-TV movie, The Librarian: Quest for the Spear, in which permanent grad student Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle) is recruited by the centuries-old, magic-protecting Library to recover the Spear of Destiny. The Librarians show opens with more recruits — three Librarians and a Guardian — joining Flynn as the world adjusts to the return of wild magic. The recently concluded follow-up series, The Librarians: The Next Chapter, focuses on a Librarian from the 1830s who was released from a time bubble into the present day.
What’s more, Devlin was also in charge of Leverage (2008-2012), a comedy/drama featuring a team of rogues and thieves who use their talents to steal from the rich and powerful on behalf of the little guys. It also has a sequel series, Leverage: Redemption (2021-present), which continues the show with a slightly different cast.
First of all, I think Devlin would maintain a good balance between hands-on work and allowing others to explore different ideas. Given how exhausted Davies and Steven Moffat were, and the lower number of episodes produced under Chris Chibnall, I think it’s time to reduce the showrunner’s written load. Devlin has worked as an executive producer, writer, and director on multiple projects, even within the same show. Interviews and behind-the-scenes features show that he respects writers and the actors for their insights into the characters, rather than imposing a mandate.
As a minor bonus, his varied career shows a solid grasp of production realities. Sometimes, sci-fi shows get caught up in special effects, either by reaching too high or by taking too much of the budget. I have no idea what sort of budget TNT shows have, but both The Librarians and Leverage maintain high production values without sacrificing plot.
On the storytelling side of things, Devlin excels at balancing case-of-the-week plots with an overarching theme. Season four of The Librarians is an excellent example. It opens with Flynn preparing to tether to the Library, which will solidify its bond with humanity and make him immortal. When Flynn discovers that the Library has been keeping a secret from him, he begins to question his commitment. The twelve-episode season has stand-alone stories ranging from ghosts at a Civil War re-enactment to being trapped in movies, but each episode advances the question of the ‘one true Librarian’ up to a stunning finale.
How would these skills work with an existing franchise? Leverage: Redemption and Librarians: The Next Chapter are excellent examples of something that’s neither a complete reboot nor an alternate continuity, but a continuation of an old story with new characters. Redemption is a mild example, featuring all but one of the original cast and adding two new protagonists. The new characters add a fresh perspective and different skills without dissing the original cast. The Next Chapter, on the other hand, has a completely new cast, with one of the original characters kickstarting the plot and then ‘handing off’ the storyline.
After Chibnall and Davies’ second tenure as showrunner, I also would appreciate a lighter touch on the political issues. The very nature of Leverage means it has an uneven relationship with the legal system. In one episode, the team is trying to convict a crooked mayor. When a character asks why they don’t just tell the police, the team’s lawyer points out that the standards of proof for bribery are very high. There are a few murmurs, but then the plot moves on, instead of beating the point over the head. Other episodes focus on untraceable (grandma scams) or non-criminal but unethical activity (catfish dating and facial recognition software). The show also manages to keep up with society and technology – for example, the most recent series featured a case about background checks for 3D-printed guns.
Finally, the dude’s a bona fide geek. He’s worked with Jonathan Frakes and David Tennant; the Leverage crew regularly used Doctor Who-themed aliases. The cherry on the cake is the Librarians, episode, And the Bleeding Crown, written by Tom MacRae (The Girl Who Waited). The commentary explicitly refers to it as a “multi-Doctor episode” regarding the banter between the current Librarian, Flynn, and the time-traveling Darington Dare.
Of course, Doctor Who would conflict with Dean Devlin’s other work, but that’s a sacrifice I’d be willing to make. At least for a few years…
