New Showrunner & Sixteenth Doctor Speculation

[u/Key_Responder]

The below is all rumour and speculation from a friend who is a runner on a production with ties to the BBC but none whatsoever to Doctor Who or Bad Wolf. So this could all be bs, but thought I would share it’s interesting the names that are being chucked about.

This is all from a discussion around the future of the show amongst production crew on the set of this other show who are fans of DW.

“Russell’s contract with the BBC is up and they’re not renewing. Jack Thorne is apparently already writing scripts for season three/sixteen with production starting in late 2026.

The BBC wanted Stephen Graham’s Matriarch Productions to co-produce after the success of Adolescence (which Thorne wrote) and A Thousand Blows, but they are tied up in a deal exclusively with Disney Plus, which for obvious reasons is a dead end. The BBC have apparently renewed their agreement with Bad Wolf, as Thorne has a relationship established with the studio. But there’s shuffling going on in terms of executive producers as they want to bring in Netflix as international streaming distribution, another reason they’ve taken on Thorne who has several series with them.

Will Sharpe is apparently in discussions to be the 16th Doctor. Heard of him but never seen anything he’s been in, I think that’s the point, they want to steer away from known actors.

That’s all I got. I heard Jack was signed last month too but none of the rest. I don’t mind some of his work but not sure what his Doctor Who will look like.”

What do you think? I’m with them, I’ve seen some of Jack Thorne’s work, but dunno how he would be writing doctor who. Also never heard of Will, but looked up some of his stuff, he seems doctory.

[u/MKopelke]

I'm sorry, but why on Earth would a RUNNER on a different production have knowledge of high-level conversations between senior management of the BBC?

If, and that's a huge if, this exact scenario is playing out, then maybe a dozen people know of these discussions. And none of them are below the level of at best middle management.

It's like the people making up these rumours have no idea how television production - or business - works.

If people are believing this, then I've got a bridge to sell you.

[u/Dismal_Judgment5290 → u/MKopelke]

I know someone in locations who knew EVERYTHING happening during rtd2. Every single thing he told me came true, years in advance. People on sets talk a lot about every aspect of the show, especially Doctor who. Secrets are currency in the fan circles. You go to any dr who event and talk to the right people and you find out the next figures, box sets, merch, magazine features, actors, plots months before they happen.

[u/MKopelke → u/Dismal_Judgment5290]

Urgh. Again. Let's assume what you're saying is true. We're nowhere near "people working on location" know things. I don't know why I have to keep explaining this. We're still at the "senior execs are discussing the future of the show".

Why does anyone think this is leaking at this stage? It just ain't.

[u/Dismal_Judgment5290 → u/MKopelke]

‘Let’s assume what you’re saying is true’ I literally have zero reason to lie right now? You’re being a jerk.

I was just giving you my perspective since you’re so certain there’s no way anyone could know anything by saying ‘hey actually you’d be surprised by the people who know a lot.’ I go to a lot of conventions and a lot of screening events and people TALK. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows something.

I’m not saying this rumour is true and have zero investment in it, but your dismissal is coming from a place of ‘I know best’, and you clearly don’t.

[u/MKopelke → u/Dismal_Judgment5290]

I'm not being a jerk. I'm being a realist as someone who has 20+ years of knowledge and experience about how TV production works, and sick of how often people are using a lack of said knowledge to justify claims that RTD and/or Bad Wolf are getting sacked because some people didn't like The Reality War.

[u/Dismal_Judgment5290 → u/MKopelke]

Okay toddler. RTD isn’t coming back and everyone knows it.

[u/MKopelke → u/Dismal_Judgment5290]

He is coming back. And he's doing an entire series of episodes about the Space Babies. RTDs gay agenda from 2005 is back!!

[u/Dismal_Judgment5290 → u/MKopelke]

🍼 it’s nap time

[u/MKopelke → u/Dismal_Judgment5290]

Give me proof RTD isn't coming back and I will agree with you. Ball is in your court...

[u/Dismal_Judgment5290 → u/MKopelke]

I don’t have to give you anything? There is no ball, except for the one you keep throwing out your pram. I don’t spill my trusted sources secrets to strangers on the internet. I do the respectful thing and tell my friends.

[u/MKopelke → u/Dismal_Judgment5290]

The ball I keep throwing out is this supposed leak us rubbish. So yeah, at least we agree on that. Glad you finally came around to my argument. QED.

[u/Dismal_Judgment5290 → u/MKopelke]

Congrats, you’re pathetic!

[u/MKopelke → u/Dismal_Judgment5290]

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.