RTD Interview

Russell T Davies recently spoke to outnorthwest magazine about his work on Doctor Who and the choices he's made for the show whilst he's been in charge.

According to the executive producer, their decision to give the show a 'gap-year' next year, with just 4 one-hour special episodes rather than a full series, is the perfect way forward for its future success. "It's a good strategy, what we're doing," he told the magazine. "To give it a rest, and then a new production team can take over. Not that the new production team needed a year to take over, they could have done it anyway. It's like releasing a Harry Potter book. It makes the anticipation for it coming back even bigger - and that's how big a property Doctor Who is.

"Davies also talked about Series 5 and his excitement to be able to watch a brand new episode for the first time in over 20 years.

"It's going to be marvellous, I can't wait!" he said. "Actually, I'm sort of dreading the fact that I'll probably be invited to the press launch for the first episode, and I'd really rather not go. I want to watch it at home! But of course if I didn't go, the papers would be full of 'Old Doctor Who Boss Snubs New Doctor Who Boss!'

"He added: "I can't wait though... can you imagine... new Doctor Who!"

But until we get Steven Moffat's series (and the brand new Eleventh Doctor!) in 2010, we've still got 5 new episodes to come (including next week's Christmas special, The Next Doctor), and the last ever episode to star David Tennant as the Time Lord, which will air next Christmas. As always, Davies is keeping quiet about what his and David's final episode has in store for us, but he did have this to say..."The final special won't be shown for another YEAR, and I know exactly what happens. In fact, I had a phone call this morning about casting it, and we're after a couple of fantastic names for it, and one of those names is booked actually, but you'll discover who that is when we are filming it in May, because it will get out...

"He added: "We're filming (the specials) up until May, and then editing June, July, August. So I'd think my actual last day might be sometime next September!"In spin-off news, Davies also confirmed that he will continue to work on Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures for as long as they are made.

"If they keep going I'll still be involved. I'm not sure yet to what extent, but no, Stephen won't be in charge of those. I might not be based in Cardiff, but I did promise both casts that I would always look after them. And they're mine, I created them, so I'd be mad to walk away from them."

The Christmas edition of outnorthwest, the free monthly magazine of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, features an interview with Doctor Who Executive producer Russell T Davies.The Magazine is available online.

PRESS RELEASE

To see big, noisy, public people being gay, and being happy, is a really important thing." - Russell T Davies.

Russell made his name as the creator and writer of the groundbreaking gay drama Queer as Folk; aired on late night Channel 4, it was the first UK TV drama to be centred around gay, bisexual and lesbian characters. Now, ten years later, he's prime time BBC 1, celebrated for reinventing Doctor Who, and is widely regarded as the most powerful writer in UK television.In the interview, Russell talks openly about the responsibility he feels as a gay public figure to be as visible as possible, to highlight LGB people leading happy, positive and successful lives:

"Every interview I do I mention the fact that I'm gay, but I think that if your 15, to see big, noisy, public people being gay and being happy is a really important thing."He also slams the critics who accuse him of bringing a gay agenda to Doctor Who:

"If people genuinely see it as a problem, then the problem is theirs. Their life is small, inhibited, and stunted. They're not living fully, their heart isn' t open, their mind isn't open."outnorthwest also gets the low down on Russell's career, from Queer As Folk to Doctor Who, his favourite TV shows and his celebrity crushes.

Russell has close contacts with Manchester; he still lives in the city, and many of his early shows were set there, he is also a patron of the Manchester based Lesbian and Gay Foundation. He stressed that talking to outnorthwest gave him the opportunity, "to pay something back." Grahame Robertson, Editor of outnorthwest said:"We first spoke to Russell nearly ten years ago, at the height of Queer As Folk-mania. Since then he's gone on to become the most influential person working in television today.

I'm over the moon he's taken the time to speak to us again."So, to find out if Russell spills the beans on any Doctor Who storylines, download or grab yourself a copy of outnorthwest!