Spoilers Russell T. Davies' Second Turn as Doctor Who Showrunner

[JD]

hangs around with beautiful women but often doesn't seem to notice them...

But we know things did get romantic with Rose, and I thought there were at least a few others where it was implied that their relationship was more than friendly. Romana II is one, but I know that might have just been Tom Baker and Lalla Ward's real life relationship bleeding through into the show.

 

[The Wormhole]

Classic Who never had the Doctor show any romantic interest in his companions, not even the Fourth Doctor and Romana despite Tom Baker and Lala Ward becoming involved in real life. Indeed, the Eighth Doctor kissing Grace in the TV movie was actually considered quite controversial at the time and was one of the reasons there was a vocal element of Who Fandom considering the TV movie to be an abomination and even those who felt McGann was an illegitimate Doctor, an attitude which RTD even jokingly acknowledged in an episode of Queer as Folk.

 

[Set Harth]

Isn't a gondola ride at least a little romantic?

 

[Allyn Gibson]

If you're actively using Twitter in 2026 you are either a Nazi or cool with putting money in the pocket of a Nazi.

Maybe I enjoy watching Iranian LEGO propaganda videos.

I admit, I have to wade through a ton of anti-Semitic shit, UFO conspiracy nonsense, The Pitt fandom stuff (which I've not watched), Thasmin shipping memes, and AI job advice slop to get to the Iranian propaganda (which, frankly, is really good).

 

[Starkers]

Classic Who never had the Doctor show any romantic interest in his companions, not even the Fourth Doctor and Romana despite Tom Baker and Lala Ward becoming involved in real life. Indeed, the Eighth Doctor kissing Grace in the TV movie was actually considered quite controversial at the time and was one of the reasons there was a vocal element of Who Fandom considering the TV movie to be an abomination and even those who felt McGann was an illegitimate Doctor, an attitude which RTD even jokingly acknowledged in an episode of Queer as Folk.

Some people intimate there was something between Three and Jo, and I've even seen people comment that there's a hint of something between Two and Jamie, but on the whole you're right, there's pretty much nada!

 

[Allyn Gibson]

I've even seen people comment that there's a hint of something between Two and Jamie

I can buy Two, Jaime, and Zoe as a throuple in every combination.

 

[Chaos Descending]

There were sparks between the First Doctor and Cameca in The Aztecs.

 

[Qonundrum]

Isn't a gondola ride at least a little romantic?

Depends on what you want in making assumptions. Then again I could easily assume that those on the boat might be siblings, other familial combinations, or just two pals going out for fresh air. It sure would be nice if everything could only be perceived in just one way, though... well, not always, but maybe sometimes perhaps...

Some people intimate there was something between Three and Jo,

Mostly around 2007 or so, back when the sexualization of the show was at its then-peak. Thankfully you'll find some of the makers of Three's era almost looking ill in commentaries/interviews on some of the DVDs released at the time reminding of the basics of the duo. While some TV in the 1970s was bawdy and innuendo-driven ("Are You Being Served?", the "Carry On" films, and a slew of other shows and movies), not all were and definitely not children's shows or family shows after a point. 3/Jo were definitely more teacher/student or father/daughter at most.

and I've even seen people comment that there's a hint of something between Two and Jamie, but on the whole you're right, there's pretty much nada!

Diamanda Hagan is one (YouTube channel) claiming the actors based their banter as if they were a "couple". The two actors clearly had much onscreen chemistry, with character traits complementing one another.

There were sparks between the First Doctor and Cameca in The Aztecs.

Only when the Doctor decides to leave the TARDIS to pick up the broach he'd placed back in the tomb, which was given to him by Cameca. Can still be inferred as friendship or emotional bond, and given the Doctor's reaction to pandering to Cameca to get tomb plans only to find out the cocoa bean preparation was a marriage ritual and he promptly spazzes at the camera... so, nope, no character was horny during the events of that episode. Except for the Perfect Victim handpicked for Susan by Tlotoxyl there... Trolltoxyl? But what was said and what was left to the imagination made it even more horrific, something 70s Who and onward forgot about.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Christopher Eccleston told fans at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo what it would take for him to return:

“Here’s the thing: Doctor Who’s written for boys. There has never been a female showrunner of Doctor Who,” Eccleston said. “So my dream is this: there was a little girl who was, I don’t know — six, seven, eight — in 2005 when my series went out, and she gets the job, and she asked me back? I’d go back like a shot.”​

​

Sounds good to me!

 

[Nerys Myk]

Christopher Eccleston told fans at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo what it would take for him to return:

“Here’s the thing: Doctor Who’s written for boys. There has never been a female showrunner of Doctor Who,” Eccleston said. “So my dream is this: there was a little girl who was, I don’t know — six, seven, eight — in 2005 when my series went out, and she gets the job, and she asked me back? I’d go back like a shot.”​

​

Sounds good to me!

Verity Lambert???

 

[Steve Roby]

Not sure she was a showrunner in the same sense as someone now, though. It's not like she wrote any episodes, for example.

 

[camdudetenger2018]

Christopher Eccleston told fans at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo what it would take for him to return:

“Here’s the thing: Doctor Who’s written for boys. There has never been a female showrunner of Doctor Who,” Eccleston said. “So my dream is this: there was a little girl who was, I don’t know — six, seven, eight — in 2005 when my series went out, and she gets the job, and she asked me back? I’d go back like a shot.”​

​

Sounds good to me!

they should get whats her name who created bridgerton

 

[The Wormhole]

Christopher Eccleston told fans at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo what it would take for him to return:

“Here’s the thing: Doctor Who’s written for boys. There has never been a female showrunner of Doctor Who,” Eccleston said. “So my dream is this: there was a little girl who was, I don’t know — six, seven, eight — in 2005 when my series went out, and she gets the job, and she asked me back? I’d go back like a shot.”​

​

Sounds good to me!

So the question now is does anyone know any women who are thirtyish looking for work as a showrunner?

 

[Steve Roby]

Alas, Sally Wainwright's 63, just a little older than Eccleston. Kind of surprised that they don't seem to have worked together yet.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

So the question now is does anyone know any women who are thirtyish looking for work as a showrunner?

I would be all for Kate Herron who is 38, co-wrote "Rogue," and directed the first season of Loki, but she doesn't have any show running experience.

 

[Starkers]

I would be all for Kate Herron who is 38, co-wrote "Rogue," and directed the first season of Loki, but she doesn't have any show running experience.

She was also and exec producer on Loki, which obviously gives now indication as to her level in involvement in day to day decision making, but given she directed the whole season I'd imagine she had a fair bit of input into things.

Overall she has a decent amount of experience in TV and film production, though her writing experience is limited outside of short films. The only other writing credits she has are Rogue and the upcoming Simms movie (both written with Briony Redman).

Even setting aside whether she'd be any good (and I think she's a decent option at least) its whether she's interested. Same applies to anyone else and therein lies the problem, can the BBC get someone good or will they have to settle for someone who's available and/or interested!

My leftfield choice, and yes it is another middle aged white man, would be Joe Cornish, he's done interesting work and most importantly he seems to have a good feel for making young adult stuff that also appeals to adults. Lockwood & Co was really enjoyable.

But it's fair to say there are probably women writer/producers who could do the same kind of job so why not! I guess one advantage with the proliferation of streaming shows these days is that there's maybe more people with at least some experience than there used to be.

We definitely don't one of the usual suspects (even though I'd love to travel to an alternate universe and see what Gatiss Who was like )

 

[Mr Awe]

The mouse has been shrinking its streaming TV interest across the board. I don't think any showrunner could have saved that relationship.

I'd agree. Particularly because Disney doesn't own Doctor Who. If you have to decide between funding IP you own vs. don't own, the choice is pretty clear where you're going to invest your dwindling cash!

 

[Qonundrum]

I'd agree. Particularly because Disney doesn't own Doctor Who. If you have to decide between funding IP you own vs. don't own, the choice is pretty clear where you're going to invest your dwindling cash!

I believe that was one of the reasons that DW was not given a full season by FOX after the TV movie aired, along with the ratings. Said ratings, which at 5.6M were not spectacular - but given the show was aired opposite a ratings juggernaut, DW - no matter how good or well-received it was - would not have had a chance.

 

[JD]

Some people intimate there was something between Three and Jo, and I've even seen people comment that there's a hint of something between Two and Jamie, but on the whole you're right, there's pretty much nada!

I don't see Three and Jo as a couple at all, it was pretty clearly a mentor mentee kind of relationship.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I often argue for The Fourth Doctor and Romana II and The First Doctor and Cameca, but I agree I never saw any romantic feelings between The Third Doctor and Jo. I'm willing to bet Katy Manning feels very strongly the same way.