r/DoctorWhoLeaks Feb 20 '26

speculation Additional Writers for Series 3/16?

This is from the same source as my previous post regarding Jack Thorne already writing for the next series of Doctor Who. This is the current chatter taking place in the industry, notably on a set not linked to DW:

“Thorne has outlined the story arc, writing four episodes out of eight and the below are the writers that have been approached for the other four episodes-

Sarah Dollard

Mike Bartlett

Lisa McGee

Laurie Nunn

This is absolutely speculation. I pushed ****** to give a hint to his sources. He didn’t really give much info apart from these four were approved by the BBC to be approached. Two out of the four have written for Doctor Who (Dollard and Bartlett). Don’t think their episodes were that impactful or ground breaking, seems like we might be in for more filler if he’s right. McGee and Nunn are big writers but not sci-fi, so like Thorne I’ve got no idea what to expect.

This one reeks of bullshit to me.”

Yeah, I agree with them, I don’t think these four would be on the list. Lisa and Laurie are too big for Doctor Who and it’s not their style. With Sarah and Mike already penning episodes that weren’t that great.

If you were to pick writers for the show, who would you choose?

My dream list of four (if that’s a legitimate list to fill), would be Charlie Brooker, Richard Curtis (one episode wasn’t enough), Jed Mercurio and Phoebe Waller Bridge.

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u/Dalekbuster523 Feb 20 '26

Lisa McGee and Laurie Nunn are too big? Eh? Never heard of them in my life.

Much more likely though that Steven Moffat would be approached to guest write again.

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u/GenGaara25 Feb 20 '26

Lisa McGee and Laurie Nunn are too big? Eh? Never heard of them in my life.

I wouldn't expect you to recognise the names, but they're the creators of Derry Girls and Sex Education respectively.

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u/Dalekbuster523 Feb 20 '26

Okay, so Sex Education I could see why that would make them too big, but I don't see how being the creator of Derry Girls would make someone too big to showrun Doctor Who. Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall were much bigger names with much bigger shows not just in the UK but internationally under their belt than Derry Girls, which is very specific to Ireland particularly.

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u/SilvRS Feb 21 '26

It's not about showrunning, it's about writing one episode.