Moffat Is Back! Steven Moffat Writes Episode For New Season of Doctor Who With Julie-Anne Robinson Directing

Former Showrunner Steven Moffat makes an explosive return to the new series of Doctor Who as he writes an episode due to air in Ncuti Gatwa’s first season as the Fifteenth Doctor, which will simultaneously premiere across BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+, where available.

Steven has been lauded for his work on Doctor Who, first writing on the show when Russell T Davies revived it in 2005. He then went on to succeed as Showrunner, leading the show during the Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi eras.  Steven is known for penning some of the most praised episodes in the shows history as well as creating one of the most terrifying and iconic monsters, the Weeping Angels.

Outside of Doctor Who, Steven has been celebrated for co-writing and co-creating the multi-award winning series Sherlock. Now he’s back, returning alongside Showrunner Russell T Davies, as he writes a whole new adventure for the upcoming season debuting this May.

Directing the thrilling adventure will be BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Julie-Anne Robinson, who also kicks off the season by directing the episode that succeeds The Church on Ruby Road that aired at Christmas. Julie-Anne has previously directed some blockbuster television series including Bridgerton, Orange Is The New Black and Scandal, and is now jumping on board the TARDIS to front two of the episodes.

Speaking on his return to the Whoniverse, Steven Moffat says: “Yes, okay, fair enough – apologies to everyone I’ve very slightly misled – I am in fact writing an episode of the series of Doctor Who. Exactly like I said I never would. What can I tell you? There was begging, there was pleading but finally Russell agreed to let me have another go – so long as I got out of his garden. Working with old friends and a brand new Doctor I couldn’t be happier. Sorry I was a bit reticent on the subject for so long. It was all part of an elaborate plan that would have delighted millions but at the last minute I forgot what it was.”

Speaking on directing episodes in the new season, Julie-Anne Robinson says: “It was a tremendous honour to direct episodes of Doctor Who for the BBC and Disney+. This beloved franchise is 60 years old and still going strong. It is part of our collective memory as Brits. I’ve always admired Russell T Davies and Ncuti Gatwa is an unbelievably talented actor who has stepped into the role of the Fifteenth Doctor effortlessly, alongside the equally talented Millie Gibson. Steven Moffat gave me an intense challenge as a director. I asked him for a keyword to describe the overall tone of the episode he said: ‘Hitchcock’. I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks. I’m grateful to Bad Wolf, the BBC and Disney+. It was an incredible experience”.

The new season of Doctor Who will premiere simultaneously for the first time on BBC iPlayer and Disney+. In the UK, the first two new episodes of the season will premiere at 00:00 on May 11th on BBC iPlayer, and then on BBC One later that day. Episodes will drop on BBC iPlayer followed by a primetime slot on BBC One each week following that.

Outside the UK, Doctor Who begins streaming 10th May at 7:00 p.m. ET on Disney+ where available, giving audiences a simultaneous global launch.

Julie-Anne Robinson has also directed the first episode that will air on the BBC in the UK this May.

ABOUT “DOCTOR WHO”

Quintessentially British, “Doctor Who” is one of the longest running action-adventure television series in the world with legions of fans across the globe since its inception on the BBC in 1963. Airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the U.K. and Disney+ in the rest of the world, the critically acclaimed show was the UK’s most watched drama on Christmas Day 2023 as Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor took over the TARDIS in “The Church On Ruby Road.”

“Doctor Who” has a variety of licensees and partnerships spanning comics and collectibles, audiobooks, podcasts and magazines. Since 2012, over 17 million Sonic Screwdrivers and action figures, 19 million DVDs and over one million tickets for Doctor Who live events have sold globally. In 2023, BBC iPlayer launched the Whoniverse, a dedicated area where UK viewers can see more than 800 shows within the orbit of Doctor Who. https://www.doctorwho.tv/

ABOUT THE BBC

The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster which is impartial and independent, and every day we create distinctive, world-class programmes and content which inform, educate and entertain millions of people in the UK and around the world. The BBC includes a portfolio of television services, national and local radio networks, and global digital services.

ABOUT DISNEY+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star, and in the U.S., Disney Bundle subscribers can also access extensive Hulu content, including next day TV and Hulu Original titles, on Disney+. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from Disney, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service, as part of the Disney Bundle in the U.S. that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, or as part of Combo+ in Latin America with Star+, the standalone general entertainment and sports streaming service in the region. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

ABOUT DISNEY BRANDED TELEVISION

Disney Branded Television encompasses the creative storytellers and production and content marketing teams responsible for Disney-branded television series, movies and other programming spanning live-action, animated and unscripted formats. The group fuels the Disney+ streaming platform and Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior linear networks with content geared toward kids, tweens, teens and families, with stories that are imaginative, aspirational and reflective of their world and experiences.

ABOUT BBC STUDIOS

BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group with sales of £2.1 billion (2021/22: £1,630 million). Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the global Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Channels & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. Around 2,500 hours of award-winning British programmes are made by the business every year, with over 80% of total BBC Studios revenues coming from non-BBC customers including Discovery, Apple and Netflix.  Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC.com is BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, offering up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features.