Work on the second Russell T. Davies era of DOCTOR WHO begins

It sounds like production (or at least pre-production) has already begun on the next era of Doctor Who. Russell T. Davies is returning to helm the show for a second stint, after his initial run in 2005-10.

The news was unearthed on Twitter, where the updated CVs of Vicki Delow and Phil Collinson were spotted by eagle-eyed fans, both listing the new series as now officially in production. Collinson's job is significant as he was previously an important producer on the first three-and-a-half seasons under Davies' tenure in 2005-08. Delow is a newcomer to the franchise, though.

Davies has already written several episodes for Series 14 - which will be the 40th season overall of the series and the 50th of the franchise - including the opening episode, which will serve as the show's 60th anniversary special. It is expected to air in the week of 23 November 2023, with the rest of the season to follow.

There are still two episodes from Series 13 to air, an Easter special called Legend of the Sea Devils and a special to air in October to celebrate the BBC's Centenary anniversary. That episode will write out the current cast and see the regeneration of Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker. The actor who will play the Fourteenth Doctor has apparently not been confirmed yet, but is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, since it will be hard to keep the identity secret once actual filming begins (expected in the Spring).

Series 14 will also be the first produced as a co-production between the BBC and an external production company, Bad Wolf Productions. Bad Wolf is named after a story arc in Russell T. Davies's first season of the show back in 2005 and is headed by former BBC Head of Drama Jane Tranter, who commissioned Doctor Who's return, and former Doctor Who producer Julie Gardner.