“Doctor Who” showrunner Steven Moffat bristled when asked about the likelihood of a female Doctor just a few short weeks ago at Comic Con 2015, but today brings good news for two women who’ve influenced “Doctor” from behind the scenes. Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner, former BBC executives behind “Doctor Who,” its spinoff “Torchwood” and “Da Vinci’s Demons,” have launched a new production company named Bad Wolf — a nod to their Whovian following.
According to Variety, Tranter and Gardner will produce both TV shows and films for the global television market. Bad Wolf is already a hopping enterprise: Development deals with US networks and studios are close to being finalized (and projects with UK and European broadcasts likely won’t be far behind).
Bad Wolf, which is backed by the Welsh government, will be based primarily in South Wales, though it will also operate out of LA. It is predicted to contribute over $150 million to Wales’ economy over the next decade.
Tranter and Gardner formerly led the BBC drama division. The pair moved to LA in 2008 to spearhead BBC Worldwide Productions. Their most notable projects during this time include “Da Vinci’s Demons,” which has been sold to over 125 countries, “Dancing with the Stars” and HBO’s criminally underrated “Getting On.”
“Bad Wolf has the potential to be a game changer for the creative economy in Wales. The talented Welsh-based production company will support one of the largest sustainable TV drama production hubs in the U.K. outside of London and help increase inward investment, strengthen the supply chain and skills base and create cultural and tourism benefits,” said Wales’ minister for economy Edwina Hart.
Tranter added, “TV has changed beyond all recognition in the past decade. Huge international productions made on movie-scale budgets have put British TV at the forefront of this revolution. We are delighted to be working with the Welsh government to grow this industry and continue to benefit the economy of Wales. Edwina Hart fully understands that by putting Wales at the forefront of this industry, it could be a world leader within the decade.”
So, we may not be getting a female Doctor anytime soon — and you can read our TV critic Sara Stewart’s take on why that’s so very disheartening — but in the meantime, hopefully Tranter and Gardner will produce projects with memorable female leads to call their own.
[via Variety]
