Feminist Whovians can rejoice once more. The new “Doctor Who” — you know, the one that will finally feature a woman Doctor — has announced its writers and directors. According to the BBC, two of the five writers (40 percent) are women, as are two of the four directors.
These numbers are especially encouraging since “Doctor Who” has a long history of shutting out women behind the camera. Earlier this year an open letter signed by 76 women writers pointed out that the show had gone five seasons “without an episode written by a woman.” Per a story in Junkee, since “Doctor Who” was rebooted in 2005, only eight of its 134 episodes (six percent) have been credited to a woman writer. During the same time period, only four women writers and five women directors worked on the series. In the 55 years the show has existed, only 10 women have served as directors.
“We have a team of writers who’ve been working quietly and secretly for a long time now, crafting characters, worlds, and stories to excite and move you. A set of directors who stood those scripts up on their feet, bringing those ideas, visuals, and emotions into existence with bravura and fun,” revealed showrunner Chris Chibnall. “Hailing from a range of backgrounds, tastes, and styles, here’s what unites them: they are awesome people as well as brilliant at their job … They love ‘Doctor Who.’ And they’ve all worked above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to bring audiences something special.”
The upcoming “Doctor Who’s” female writers are children’s author and former Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman and “The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby” scribe Joy Wilkinson.
“I’ve always loved Doctor Who. Getting the chance to write for this series has definitely been a dream come true,” Blackman said. Added Wilkinson, “Quite frankly I’m still pinching myself to be here!”
The women directors are BAFTA nominee Sallie Aprahamian (“The Dumping Ground”) and “Home and Away” helmer Jennifer Perrott. The latter is also working on Sally Wainwright’s “Gentleman Jack” series.
“I watched the First Doctor from behind the sofa through my fingers, frightened and exhilarated,” said Aprahamian. “I was really delighted, as a fan and as a director, to be invited to work on the first female Doctor’s series. What a brilliant time to be on the show!”
“Doctor Who” will return this fall on the UK’s BBC One and the States’ BBC America. Jodie Whittaker is reportedly being paid the same as her male predecessor for playing the iconic character who travels through time and space.
