BBC announces new production team for Doctor Who

Published Thursday 16 April 2009 at 10:57 by Matthew Hemley

Ashes to Ashes producer Beth Willis has been appointed executive producer of Doctor Who, as part of a number of new appointments made by the BBC.

Willis, who will work alongside the show’s lead writer Steven Moffat in her role, will be joined by Tracie Simpson and Peter Bennett as producers on the series, which is made through BBC Wales.

Simpson’s previous credits include producing Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead, which aired over the Easter weekend, while Bennett is the producer of the forthcoming Torchwood series.

The BBC said the new team marked “the start of a new chapter in the life of the series”, which will see Matt Smith become the new Doctor.

Moffat said: “Tracie and Pete are the backstage stars of Doctor Who and having them on board as producers isn’t just the best possible news for Matt Smith’s first series, it’s a massive relief.”

BBC Wales head of drama Piers Wenger said the new appointments would ensure that Doctor Who continues to have one of “the most exciting and formidable production teams around”.