With Russell T Davies stepping back and Bad Wolf no longer producing, the BBC has officially put the future of Doctor Who up for grabs in 2026. This shake-up could bring major changes to the show’s budget, episode count, and production style — including the possibility of replacing the traditional showrunner role with a writers’ room.
We’ve gathered the top 14 contenders Doctor Who fans and insiders believe could take the helm next. . .
(1). J. Michael Straczynski – Legendary sci-fi creator behind Babylon 5 and Sense8, a fan favorite.
(2). Steven Moffat – Former Doctor Who showrunner with a strong legacy; some fans want his return.
(3). Nicholas Briggs / Big Finish – Audio drama veterans deeply familiar with Doctor Who lore.
(4). Mark Gatiss – Longtime writer and actor within the Doctor Who universe, a trusted insider.
(5). Toby Whithouse – Writer of several standout episodes, a perennial contender.
(6). Joe Barton – Versatile writer-producer known for The Lazarus Project, seen as a strong candidate for a fresh reset.
(7). Jack Thorne – Acclaimed showrunner of His Dark Materials, praised for his dramatic storytelling.
(8). Tony Gilroy – Known for grounding Andor in realism, suggested as an outsider who could bring a new tone.
(9). Kate Herron & Briony Redman – A dynamic directing and writing duo with recent Doctor Who experience, blending insider knowledge with fresh perspective.
(10). Ronald D. Moore – Renowned for reinventing Battlestar Galactica, valued for his ability to modernize sci-fi classics.
(11) Joe Cornish – Filmmaker behind Attack the Block, seen as someone who could root Doctor Who in British culture while keeping its heart.
(12). Chris Clenshaw – Praised for revitalizing EastEnders, suggested to bring strong character-driven realism to the companions’ stories.
(13). Grant Morrison – Advocates for a fresh approach that maintains the show’s unique charm without relying heavily on extensive lore or backstory.
Wild Card . . .
(14). Neil Gaiman – A lifelong fan of the franchise and has contributed two highly memorable episodes for the Eleventh Doctor. However the acclaimed author has explicitly ruled himself out on multiple occasions, stating that the demanding, all-consuming nature of running the show would leave him with no time for anything else.
The debate continues between those who want a showrunner steeped in Doctor Who lore and those eager for a bold outsider to refresh the series. Whatever happens, the next era of Doctor Who promises exciting changes.
Stay tuned to @TheDailyDalek for all the latest updates on the Doctor Who showrunner race and more!
