Chris Chibnall, most noted for being the showrunner for Broadchurch, says the same story type could be in store for Doctor Who.
He has been quoted as saying he’s going to revamp the show.
"“[The BBC] really had to woo me,” Chibnall said in an interview with the magazine Television. “But, in the end, I had ideas about what I wanted to do with it. When I went to them and said, ‘This is what I would do’, I actually expected them to say, ‘Ooh, let’s talk about that,’ but they said: ‘Great!’”"
If it’s anything like Broadchurch, we’re most likely going to see a story arc that’s focused on throughout the whole season. Chibnall has been able to focus on a storyline in Broadchurch, and still shock us in the end. As good as this is for Broadchurch, is it as good for Doctor Who? It sounds like even Chibnall knew what he was offering was taking a risk on what the show is, and it seems the BBC might be desperate for a breath of fresh air regarding the show.
However, Doctor Who is still primarily a kid’s show. Chibnall has said that the BBC wanted “risk and boldness”. Which isn’t surprising with the rating dip that they’ve had this season, and the mixed reviews about Capaldi as a Doctor. But the origin of the show, the fact that it’s always been geared towards kids, shouldn’t change. And if it does, what is the fate of the show?
As exciting as the prospect is to have a new showrunner, it sounds like it’s going to come with changes that, as always, some are going to love, and some are going to hate. They’ve already tried to have a “darker Doctor” with Peter Capaldi and it didn’t go over well. Chibnall must have something great up his sleeve to get the BBC on board.
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