Steven Moffat Is Returning to Doctor Who

Steven Moffat—the former Doctor Who showrunner and head writer whose association with the series spanned 2005 to 2017—is stepping back into the TARDIS. According a social media post by the BBC, he’ll be making an “explosive return,” penning an episode for Ncuti Gatwa’s first season as the Fifteenth Doctor.

The BBC’s dedicated Doctor Who page has a few more details: the episode will be directed by Emmy nominee Julie-Anne Robinson, who also helms the season premiere. (Speaking about working with Moffat’s script, she said: “I asked him for a keyword to describe the overall tone of the episode [and] he said: ‘Hitchcock’.”)

Moffat, of course, has been a part of Doctor Who since its 2005 revival by Russel T Davies; he penned some of the most memorable entries (including “Blink,” so you can thank him for all your Weeping Angels nightmares), and was showrunner during Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi’s runs as the Doctor. He also co-created and co-wrote Sherlock. His return to Doctor Who coincides with Davies’ return as showrunner.

“I am in fact writing an episode of the series of Doctor Who,” Davies told the BBC. “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.”

Doctor Who’s latest season arrives May 10 on Disney+ and May 11 on the BBC iPlayer in the UK.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Steven Moffat—the former Doctor Who showrunner and head writer whose association with the series spanned 2005 to 2017—is stepping back into the TARDIS. According a social media post by the BBC, he’ll be making an “explosive return,” penning an episode for Ncuti Gatwa’s first season as the Fifteenth Doctor.

The BBC’s dedicated Doctor Who page has a few more details: the episode will be directed by Emmy nominee Julie-Anne Robinson, who also helms the season premiere. (Speaking about working with Moffat’s script, she said: “I asked him for a keyword to describe the overall tone of the episode [and] he said: ‘Hitchcock’.”)

Moffat, of course, has been a part of Doctor Who since its 2005 revival by Russel T Davies; he penned some of the most memorable entries (including “Blink,” so you can thank him for all your Weeping Angels nightmares), and was showrunner during Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi’s runs as the Doctor. He also co-created and co-wrote Sherlock. His return to Doctor Who coincides with Davies’ return as showrunner.

“I am in fact writing an episode of the series of Doctor Who,” Davies told the BBC. “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.”

Doctor Who’s latest season arrives May 10 on Disney+ and May 11 on the BBC iPlayer in the UK.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.