Russell T Davies quitting Doctor Who is the best decision he could have made
The longtime showrunner appears to have confirmed he is stepping back (Picture: PA) It’s an uncertain time for Doctor Who fans now that it’s been officially announced that the long awaited Christmas special has been cancelled and showrunner Russell T Davies is on his way out. Although it’s horrible that the show’s very future is on a knife-edge and its biggest champion, Russell, is exiting stage left – I can’t help but feel relieved that the British TV legend has bowed out. Not because I think he’s bad at his job – he’s an amazing showrunner – I think his talents are better used elsewhere. And it’s all because of one show: Tip Toe. For those who have their finger on the TV pulse, you won’t have missed Russell’s new groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Channel 4 show that aired at the end of May this year. Get personalised updates on Doctor Who Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. It has received widespread praise, with many hailing it as a timely and urgent reckoning on the rapidly declining state of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK today. And it’s all thanks to Russell. It remains a startling wake-up call to the general public that we’re sleepwalking into a dark, dark world (Picture: Channel 4) Starring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey, the series follows polar opposite neighbours – Leo, an older gay man and Clive, an aggressively heterosexual handyman – whose differences breed homophobia, bigotry, and hostility. Although his socio-political commentary, especially when it comes to the trans community, is still a work-in-progress – it remains a startling wake-up call to the general public that we’re sleepwalking into a dark, dark world when it comes to achieving any unity in our rights. And I’m not surprised it’s picking up such glowing reviews. After ending his first round as Doctor Who showrunner in 2010, the TV icon known as RTD had a run of stellar limited series over the next decade or so. As brilliant as his time on Doctor Who was, his return to the show in 2023 had not quite reached the heights many hoped (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock) His 2015 trilogy – Cucumber, Tofu and Banana – were edgy shows, which have gone down as cult classics, especially among LGBTQ+ viewers. Then, you have his more mainstream work, still with gay and queer characters at their heart, such as A Very English Scandal starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, which secured an Emmy, Golden Globe and Bafta. That’s not mentioning his harrowing drama Years and Years – a post-Brexit reckoning with the UK’s descent into fascism, which still rings out as an eerie prophecy for the state the world is in today, with the rise of Reform and reign of Trump. POLL Poll What are your thoughts on Russell T Davies stepping down from Doctor Who? It's the right decision for him and the show. Check I'm sad to see him go, he brought a lot to Doctor Who. Check I think it's a mixed situation, but I'm optimistic. Check I'm not sure what this will mean for the future of Doctor Who. Check Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to Metro's TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can't get enough of Show Expand Options ? Select your shows for TV news tailored to you Close Select All Select All Big Brother Big Brother Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother Doctor Who Doctor Who Great British Bake Off Great British Bake Off I'm A Celeb I'm A Celeb Love Island Love Island Netflix Netflix Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing The Apprentice The Apprentice The Traitors The Traitors Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign Up Sign Up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy Rounding off this brilliant line-up was It’s A Sin, already a beloved LGBTQ+ show that will break your heart while putting it back together again. It reflected on the HIV/AIDs crisis of the 1980s – an era Russell T Davies remembers well, as a gay man growing up in Thatcher’s UK. As brilliant as his time on Doctor Who was, his return to the show in 2023 had not quite reached the heights many hoped. He faced a lot of criticism, ending in Ncuti’s abrupt departure and the scattered future of the show. Where his storylines, dialogue and character-building at times fell flat in the past two seasons of Doctor Who, he doesn’t face the same extent of trouble when it comes to his limited series – which I now consider as his superior format. He faced a lot of criticism, ending in Ncuti’s abrupt departure and the scattered future of the show (Picture: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon) This was proven when he released the Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea – and it was a standout in his Doctor Who repertoire, which tackled everything from climate change to forbidden love. I personally loved it, and it marked a return to Russell’s brilliant writing, after finding himself in a difficult place. Then, of course, we have Tip Toe. It’s veritable proof that Russell’s time is best spent working on bespoke ideas that speak to the era we’re in, rather than tying himself up with a show and a fandom that will be impossible to please. Not only that, but he embodies the perfect example of how the TV industry can work at its very best. Russell was a bright young writer in 1999 when he made his name on Queer as Folk and was given the springboard to mainstream notoriety with Doctor Who. He’s gone on to use the status that he gained all those years ago to pen politically urgent pieces, and for that I am grateful. Now, he can hand over the Doctor Who mantle to an up-and-coming writer, who could possibly be the next Russell T. Davies, for this generation. I’ll always have a love and respect for Russell and all he’s done for Doctor Who up until now, but I can’t help but feel his exit is for the best, not just for the show, but for him as well. I am sad to see him go, but excited not just for what he will do next, but for what will happen to Doctor Who. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]. Share your views in the comments below. Arrow MORE: Were you horrified by Tip Toe? Here are 7 urgent TV shows to watch next Arrow MORE: Doctor Who star joins EastEnders as serial killer Gray returns Arrow MORE: You can call Madonna disgusting, but shooting lasers from vaginas is a revelation
