Inua Ellams on writing for Doctor Who: ‘It felt like God had given me the keys to his workshop’

Poet and playwright Inua Ellams has described the surreal experience of writing for Doctor Who, after becoming the first writer to bring the show to Nigeria on screen with his episode "The Story & the Engine."

"It felt like God had given me the keys to his workshop and said, 'What do you want to make? Let's do it,'" Ellams tells The Independent, recalling his first day on set.

The episode, set in a Lagos barbershop, draws on Ellams' acclaimed play Barber Shop Chronicles.

He returns to Latitude Festival 2026, taking place 23–26 July at Henham Park, Suffolk, with his interactive show Search Party. Tickets are available at latitudefestival.com.