Spoilers Russell T. Davies Returns to Doctor Who as New Showrunner
- Thread starter Allyn Gibson
- Start date
I've heard two theories/speculations.
1. Disney didn't commit to a third season, so pre-production was stopped in it's tracks. Without this committment Ncuti didn't want to not take up other work.
2. Disney pressured against a black, gay man as the lead in the show now that they have to pander to a racist, homophobe regime.
I don't know which one, if either is credible, or true.
Money talks louder than anything else.
Makes him feel important I guess
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was all somewhat tacitly approved. Strange as it may seem, it’s ‘content’ and drums up interest at a time the show needs interest of *any*kind. The leaks were enough to help put bums on seats and eyes on screens. Even the German Disney image was a leak of sorts.
You mean like "The Final Chapter" and "Wormwood" in DWM back in the 90s, where the eighth Doctor regenerated into Nick Briggs... except, wait, it's a fake out!
Or when the 10th Doctor got shot by a Dalek and created a double of himself instead.
Speaking of the 8th Doctor. Let's bring back Paul McGann to finish the 8th Doctor's story.
I'm glad you think so. But that doesn't make my statement "patently false."
I'd agree that The Well is a classic. I really liked Dot and Bubble A LOT. I'm not sure that I would call it a classic. And Lux was half a step behind Dot and Bubble. I really liked it but not a classic.
I just think the hit rate in RTD1 was higher than in RTD2. Yeah, you can find good and even great episodes in RTD2 but the hit rate is lower. At least in my opinion. Obviously those vary!
That totally matches what I've been thinking. No way could they put a lead under contract given the uncertainties. So, it's either go open ended regeneration OR do some stunt casting with an interim, short term choice.
And we know what direction they went in!
So, it fits with what I've posted here.
It's been well known by industry insiders that a hiatus would be required due to Disney's late decision making. People and resources had to be let go. No guarantee of future work. Etc. Limbo. So the hiatus was a known thing and Ncuti wants to work!
In June last year Davies said in an interview that the plan was to start shooting S3 in February once Ncuti finished his theatre commitments.
Two months later was when they started claiming there was never going to be a decision until after S2 aired.
Except for the week of reshoots in February, Ncuti had finished with the series in May last year. And with no shooting likely before 2026 at the earliest he had to move on with his career
Two months later was when they started claiming there was never going to be a decision until after S2 aired.
Except for the week of reshoots in February, Ncuti had finished with the series in May last year. And with no shooting likely before 2026 at the earliest he had to move on with his career
I sometimes wonder if its Russell. Or Russell's PA. Or Russell's PA'S friend..
I'm way behind my Who comics reading. Need to rectify that this year...
By far the most plausible option.
Is there any evidence whatsoever to support this.
That's exactly it. You can't really blame him!
As others have noted, that does track, especially with RTD, but there are a couple of niggles with the theory.
1) Why every last detail, up to and including the big, "shocking" regen reveal? Why not hold something back? Is the hunger for spoilers now so great the only way it might be sated is to be served the whole enchilada?
2) There were apparent attempts at keeping the finale regen reveal secret, including not putting the episode on streaming services until after it was broadcast, which seems to contradict the theory.
Maybe Andrew went further than he was supposed to? Got carried away? If nothing else, it does feel like it's playing with fire, a bit.
Aside: is it just me, or are Disney damaging almost everything they touch, these days?
That is 100% true, methinks.
If you’re looking to drag in older fans who have checked out, Susan and The Rani are both big draws. So, to an extent, is Omega. But if you aren’t officially publicising widely them for surprise value, how do you use the marketability? Answer: you use a leak.
Same thing is true of that simulcast release… it makes it look important and exciting, especially when popped alongside the leaks. Leaks which *might* even bring back the half a million to a million more who were invested in Jodie as the Doctor.
It’s sort of guerilla marketing, a way to have your cake and eat it.
Edit: as to Disney… it seems so. But I wasn’t as disappointed with some of their stuff as some others are, but by the same token, wasn’t that invested in much of it either. For reference, I sort of liked and got Dial of Destiny. In fact, Who could do worse than ask PWB if she’s available. Even if she made up half her dialogue on the spot she’d be the best we’ve had since Capaldi.
