Russell T. Davies’ ‘Doctor Who’ Dreams, From Cosplay To Theme Parks

Russell T. Davies, who is a British screenwriter and television producer, was present at the launch of the latest installment of 'Doctor Who' at NeueHouse in Hollywood, California, on May 8, 2024.

Doctor Who is entering a new era with exciting developments. The renowned British science fiction television series has forged a partnership between the BBC and Disney, presenting an array of new opportunities for the show, its creators, cast, and followers. With its amplified presence and reach, Doctor Who has never been more significant nor easier to access than in 2024. The show's writer and showrunner, Russell T. Davies, expressed utter contentment about the exciting times ahead.

One major alteration is that Ncuti Gatwa, who now portrays The Doctor, doesn't have a standard trademark costume like all of the other fourteen actors who have played the character. Instead, The Doctor's attire, appearance, and aura are continuously changing. Were there many complex talks about this decision?

Honestly, those talks were not as extensive as you might think," clarified the man from Wales. "They were easy, uncomplicated, but I understand why it could be seen as a major change. I came into the program with the belief that we should not keep using the same outfits repeatedly. In short, with a larger budget, we have more opportunities to experiment and delve into new ideas."

The concept originated in part from Davies' extensive experience observing Doctor Who fans who dress up as characters from the show.

Although I don't attend conventions myself, I am familiar with cosplay. I often observe how much people enjoy it, and I've noticed that cosplayers are passionate about capturing every detail of a character's outfit. For instance, if The Doctor wears a specific t-shirt in just one scene of the show, cosplayers will go out and try to find that exact t-shirt to complete their costume. While I appreciate this level of dedication, I feel that cosplaying has become too elaborate and far removed from its roots. Therefore, I'd like to bring it back to its origins in children's play. In one episode of the latest season, entitled "73 Yards," The Doctor wears a simple outfit consisting of jeans, big boots, a duffel coat, and a beanie hat. This is the perfect example of the type of clothing that children might have in their wardrobes to play dress-up as The Doctor. In fact, I imagine that on a cold winter's morning, some kids may even walk to school wearing their duffel coats, feeling like they are The Doctor.

He went on to say that cosplay and detailed research are not necessary to get into your favourite character's costume. All you need is a pair of pajamas and the belief that you can be The Doctor. The show's goal is to empower children, regardless of gender, to believe that they are The Doctor. This mission was enhanced when Ncuti, who has a talent for wearing clothes, was cast and became friends with the show's costume designer Pam Downe. Their collaboration has been a highlight of the show and the results speak for themselves. They feel grateful for this experience.

Russell T. Davies, Ncuti Gatwa, and Millie Gibson attended the premiere of 'Doctor Who' in the US. The event took place at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, California on May 8, 2024.

In the newest installment of Doctor Who, Gatwa portrays The Doctor and his sidekick is Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson. Together they explore different eras and dimensions in The Doctor's TARDIS, a unique vehicle shaped like a Police Box, which stands for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space. Throughout their adventures, they face off against monsters and evil creatures. You can now catch Doctor Who on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer in the UK. Every Friday, new episodes will be released for viewers to enjoy.

Davies is no stranger to creating and presenting a new version of the Time Lord, as he has done it before. However, he recognized that things have shifted since then, and he had a clear idea of what and whom he required to bring The Doctor to life in 2024.

Davies looked back on the different portrayals of the Doctor throughout the show. He started with Chris Eccleston's Doctor, who was a survivor of war and had a closed-off and sarcastic personality. The character slowly revealed himself over time. Next was David Tennant's Doctor, who appeared confident but was still hiding his inner struggles. He acted cheerful but had deep emotions underneath. Davies explained that the Doctor has evolved into a more emotional and expressive character in recent years. In the past, the Doctor was portrayed as being more reserved with their feelings, which added to the charm of the performances. However, in today's world, it is important for children to feel comfortable expressing their emotions. Therefore, the Doctor is now more open about their feelings, reflecting the societal shift towards emotional awareness.

"They're having fun on TikTok. We've provided them with the tools and technology to enjoy themselves, so I felt it was appropriate for a Doctor to connect with 2024. This is an exciting actor named Ncuti who is both authentic and emotionally astute, while also being a fantastic communicator. Combining two great ideas, I feel extremely fortunate to have recruited him for the role."

From right to left, the character of the Doctor from "Doctor Who" is portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa. On the other hand, Millie Gibson portrays Ruby Sunday.

Davies has big plans for The Doctor and is excited about having Disney as a supporter and collaborator. The TARDIS has already made an appearance at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, allowing fans to take pictures with it. Is it possible that fans will see even more Doctor Who representation in theme parks, like an entire attraction solely based on the show? We'll just have to wait and see what Davies and Disney have in store.

The person in charge of the show chuckled and said that the campaign is starting now. They didn't think that having one TARDIS at a theme park was going to make a huge impact, but at least it's a beginning. They know that these things take a while to gain popularity, but they hope to eventually build up to the level of success they desire. When asked about a ride based on the show, the showrunner expressed that they would prefer to have a Doctor Who World instead. They believe it would be an amazing attraction in the middle of England that would draw lots of people. They are excited about creating fun experiences like this because they trust their team that handles the spin-off projects.

Since its inception on the BBC in 1963, Doctor Who has been a goldmine for merchandise and product sales.

Davies shared that he has collected every issue of the Doctor Who magazine, which has been available for purchase every month since 1979. He expressed the importance of accuracy and quality in merchandise for the show, particularly for the sake of children who may be disappointed by a subpar toy. The BBC, as a public service broadcaster, is dedicated to providing value for money in their merchandise. Additionally, Davies mentioned the potential for increased cosplay and theme park rides related to the show, which would make him very happy.

Doctor Who is undergoing a significant transformation by integrating music and musical performances. Gatwa and Gibson have wholeheartedly embraced this change. Davies was asked if a musical episode is in the works and responded that the show is "almost there" but not quite yet, with a small caveat.

The executive producer expressed willingness to do it without hesitation, as it did not cause any concern. However, they realized that many other shows were progressing faster than theirs and did not want Doctor Who to fall behind. This made the executive producer consider taking a new approach. They also noted that their writing has been leaning towards breaking into song and breaking the fourth wall, which they have finally achieved.

I always wanted Doctor Who to be more visually and politically free, with the freedom to experiment with clothing, music, settings, and even the introduction of babies. This is something that sets Doctor Who apart from other science fiction or franchise shows, as we have a level of liberation that cannot be found elsewhere. It brings me great joy to be able to explore these unique elements that only Doctor Who can offer.

The appearance of "The Beatles" on the show "Doctor Who."

The Doctor Who new season's second episode is available on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer in the UK. New episodes come out every Friday. This episode features the popular British musicians The Beatles and Cilla Black. Did the creators have to overcome any legal obstacles to include them in the show?

To tell you the truth, there was nothing wrong with it. In my opinion, the lawyers followed the proper procedures, and I don't wish to be involved in those conversations. The truth is that there was nothing harmful in it. We were paying tribute to the creativity and happiness of these individuals, and when you do that, there's a lot of leeway to express oneself.

Is he assuming that the American and global viewers, predominantly the younger generation, are familiar with Cilla? His opinion is rooted in his exposure to non-British programs that he viewed during his childhood.

Davies shared that he has a fondness for Cilla Black and enjoys referencing British things in his writing. He admitted that he has never seen the American sitcom Gilligan's Island but became aware of it through frequent mention in American TV shows. Instead of feeling irritated by these references, Davies finds it fascinating and hopes that viewers will search for Cilla Black after watching the show. He highly recommends her album, The Best of Cilla Black.

Davies still holds firm in his commitment to expanding the viewership of Doctor Who and the recent partnership with Disney's streaming service has provided unprecedented opportunities for both the show and himself. It's a dream come true that they never thought possible before.

One of the most thrilling aspects of Doctor Who is that it's available in numerous languages, which is something that other science fiction shows have adopted and Doctor Who must keep up with. This bigger budget has enabled the makers to create beautiful sets such as the Abbey Road Studios, which couldn't have been done in the past due to its potential damage. Instead of just using lasers, the producers have been wise in their spending and created unique and imaginative scenes such as talking babies and a recreation of Studio One. It's essential to keep up with the current trends, and Doctor Who has done this excellently!

Having said that, he is not being complacent.

You're always feeling uneasy. It's my responsibility to be constantly concerned about the show day and night, so you never have a moment to unwind. This is mainly due to the fact that the show is an anthology. If it were a detective show, we'd have two skilled detectives. There would be a deceased person every week, and they would solve the mystery. "One minute Doctor Who is dealing with space babies, and the next it's goblins, and then The Beatles come into play. The show's strength lies in its diversity, but it's still worrying because every week there's a new appetite and sometimes even a completely different genre like a comedy, thriller, or even horror."

We have recently wrapped up on a project for the upcoming year that has left us feeling quite anxious about how to promote it. It is genuinely frightening. Despite our experience with Doctor Who, we still encounter a fresh set of challenges every time. We cannot afford to get complacent, but we find it exhilarating because it keeps the program fresh and relevant.