The Stage

Moffat takes over from Russell T Davies as Dr Who’s lead writer and executive producer

Published Tuesday 20 May 2008 at 17:50 by Lalayn Baluch

Bafta and Hugo Award-winning scriptwriter Steven Moffat is to succeed Russell T Davies as lead writer and executive producer of the fifth series of Doctor Who, which will be aired on BBC One in 2010.

This year, Moffat was awarded a Bafta for an episode that he penned for the third series of the hit science fiction television series, entitled Blink. His two-part episode The Empty Child in series one, and The Girl in The Fireplace in series two, won him two Hugo Awards.

For the current series, Moffat has written Silence in the Library, a two-parter starring Alex Kingston, which will be broadcast on May 31 and June 7.

Moffat said: “My entire career has been a secret plan to get this job. I applied before but I got knocked back because the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven.

“Anyway, I’m glad the BBC has finally seen the light, and it’s a huge honour to be following Russell into the best - and the toughest - job in television. I say toughest because Russell’s at my window right now, pointing and laughing.”

During his writing career, Moffat has been responsible for shows such as children’s drama Press Gang, for which he won his first Bafta, comedy series Coupling and six-part thriller Jekyll.

He has just completed the screenplay for Tintin - the first instalment of the trilogy of films featuring the Belgian comic-strip hero - which will be directed by Steven Spielberg.

Jane Tranter, controller of BBC Fiction, said: “The challenge and excitement of the fifth series is now being handed to Steven Moffat. The Tardis couldn’t be in safer hands. Steven’s talents on both Doctor Who and beyond are well known. He is a writer of glittering brilliance, comedy and depth, with an extraordinary imagination and a unique voice.

“Steven has a wonderful mix of being a committed Doctor Who fan and a true artist, and his plans for the next series are totally thrilling.”