Former Doctor Who star calls for showrunner change to revitalise iconic show

EntertainmentOpinion
30 Mar 2026 • 5:51 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Christopher Eccleston, who played the Ninth Doctor, has called for a female showrunner to revitalise Doctor Who, stating the series is currently "written for boys".
  • Eccleston expressed he would only consider returning to the role if a female showrunner, who was a young fan during his 2005 tenure, was in charge.
  • The long-running BBC sci-fi series is currently helmed by Russell T Davies, who was responsible for its 2005 revival.
  • Doctor Who will remain off-air until December 2026, following Disney+'s decision to end its co-production and international distribution deal due to lower-than-expected viewership.
  • The show's hiatus also follows Ncuti Gatwa's surprise departure as the Fifteenth Doctor, who regenerated into Rose Tyler in the series 15 finale.

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