Can 'Doctor Who' Survive Without Davies?
Executive producer may leave, but Steven Moffat says not to worry
The latest rumors on the net are that "Doctor Who" executive producer Russell T. Davies will leave the show at the end of Season 4. If that does happen, there are many more who are worried that if Davies leaves then so will "Doctor Who" itself.
But series writer Steven Moffat recently told SciFi Wire at the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., that the worrying is all for naught.
"I know that there's tremendous anxiety among Doctor Whofans about the future of Doctor Who," Moffat said. "Here's an answer that people should listen to. No broadcaster lets go of a show like Doctor Who.They'd have to be out of their fucking minds."
Since premiering in 2005, this new version of "Doctor Who" has had major cast changes every season. Christopher Eccleston left at the end of Season 1 after spending time as the Ninth Doctor. Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) left at the end of Season 2, taking Rose Tyler with her. And now, after Season 3, Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones) has been pushed back to a recurring role. The latest announced change is Catherine Tate becoming he Doctors new companion, reprising her role from last years Christmas special.
"If Doctor Whodemonstrates anything -- any simple truth about television -- it's that everyone is dispensable," Moffat said. "Doctor Whois probably there forever. It will probably outlive everyone on Outpost Gallifrey. That's probably the truth. I'm not saying that it will run continuously for 20 years. They might give it a rest for a while, but I wouldn't imagine Doctor Whowould rest for very long now.
"But Doctor Whois completely safe. It's not in great danger. It's been the center of British culture since Kennedy was shot. I mean, it's not going away. Look, they turned it to shit and took it off for 15 years, and that didn't kill it. I mean, what's going to kill it now? Success?"
Moffat never did deny that Davies -- the man responsible for reviving the series back in 2005 -- would leave at the end of Season 4. So, the $100 million question now is whether or not Moffat would become the new showrunner.
When asked that very question Moffat appeared rather uncomfortable. After a long pause, he said, "Next question. There's a lot of things to think about there."
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