Former Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall reflects on his tenure helming the show, revealing how he prepared for a backlash following Jodie Whittaker's casting as the Time Lord. After serving as a writer on both the series' revival and spin-off series Torchwood, Chibnall took on showrunner duties from Steven Moffat in 2017, running the series for three seasons and a selection of specials. Whittaker took on the role of the Thirteenth Doctor from season 11 to a special centenary special in 2022, becoming the first female incarnation of the Time Lord.
As Ncuti Gatwa is set to lead Doctor Who in season 14, former showrunner Chibnall opened up to BBC News about his experiences working on the series, including early backlash at the start of his era. The former showrunner firmly stated that he was proud of what he, Whittaker, and the cast and crew accomplished and that early discussions surrounding the pivotal move in her casting didn't faze him.
'We had such a great time making it. I'm so proud of the stories we told and the people we worked with, and of Jodie's Doctor and the companions and all the writers we brought in and the things we did with the show that were new. I really feel super-proud of it. We knew that going in. You don't cast the first female Doctor if you're thinking you're going to go in and just do the same as has been done before,' Chibnall expressed.
With Chibnall's own experience as a member of Doctor Who's fandom, as notably seen during a television appearance on Open Air in 1996 when he critiqued the 'Trial of a Time Lord' storyline, he has the unique perspective of both audience members and key creatives. With this, he used his experiences to inform his own era, including his perspective on classic characters and how the Doctor fits into the universe. While decisions to alter the Doctor's origins to make the character more mysterious via the 'Timeless Child' story were controversial, it is clear that he stands by his decisions.
Furthermore, Chibnall's Doctor Who era was also met with unpredictable difficulties when developing his and Whittaker's final season. While a third season under the showrunner was confirmed in 2019, sudden changes and safety precautions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic led to fewer episodes during Doctor Who season 13, titled 'Flux' and made cancellation a real possibility due to uncertainty. While his run may be divisive, Chibnall's commitment to keep the series going ensured the show could return to new heights.
While Chibnall's Doctor Who era was met with much division and debate, it is clear that he holds few regrets over his experiences. Despite controversies, Chibnall's era overall stood as a time for the show where it was prepared to revitalize the show for a new era, through both his creative decisions and how he tackled production difficulties. As such, many may be relieved to see that taking on the duties of showrunner didn't spoil his perspective on the series.
Doctor Who, originally premiered in 1963, is a sci-fi series that follows a powerful being known as a Time Lord, referred to as the Doctor. Using an interdimensional time-traveling ship known as the TARDIS, the Doctor travels time and space with various companions as they solve multiple problems and help avert catastrophe as much as they almost cause it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they experience regenerations, allowing them to be recast every few seasons as a unique immortal being with new personality traits.
Chibnall and Whittaker's era of Doctor Who is available on streaming platforms, offering fans an opportunity to delve into their version of the beloved show. As we eagerly await season 14's debut, it will undoubtedly bring its own fresh perspective and excite viewers with new adventures through time and space.
