After leading Doctor Who‘s revival, executive producer and head writer Russel T. Davies is to step down from the show, according to an announcement by the BBC today.
Davies will remain in charge for the four specials set to air in 2009, but will no longer be part of the creative team when the show returns for a fifth series in 2010.
He will be replaced by Steven Moffat, another steady-presence and writer in the Dr. Who revival. Speaking about his appointment, Moffat said:
“My entire career has been a Secret Plan to get this job. I applied before but I got knocked back ‘cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven. Anyway, I’m glad the BBC has finally seen the light, and it’s a huge honour to be following Russell into the best – and the toughest – job in television. I say toughest ‘cos Russell’s at my window right now, pointing and laughing.”
In recognition of Davies’ work on Doctor Who, BBC Fiction contoller Jane Tranter praised him, stating that the last four years had been “brilliantly helmed” by the “spectacularly talented” Davies.
The fifth series, with Moffat at the helm, is scheduled to be broadcast on BBC One in early 2010.