Exciting New Directors Unveiled for Doctor Who Season 15 – Including Former Mastermind Behind Matt Smith Episode!

Summary

Celebrated director Peter Hoar, known for his work in the Matt Smith-era, is joining Ncuti Gatwa's second season of Doctor Who.

Alex Pillai, a newcomer, will take charge of the initial filming for season 15, with Hoar overseeing episodes in the subsequent block. The line-up of directors for the upcoming season has generated considerable anticipation, suggesting the possibility of the Doctor Who franchise gaining further prominence.

Doctor Who season 15 will see the return of some familiar faces, including acclaimed director Peter Hoar from the Matt Smith era. Joining Ncuti Gatwa for his second season, Gatwa is set to take over the TARDIS for the show's 60th-anniversary celebrations, followed by a new era in 2023's seasonal special and season 14 in 2024. Another addition to the cast is Millie Gibson, who will play the role of the new companion Ruby Sunday and will make her debut in the upcoming seasonal special alongside the next Doctor.

According to RadioTimes, filming for season 15 and the 2024 seasonal special of Doctor Who has already begun. The latest issue of the official Doctor Who Magazine reveals the lineup of directors for Gatwa's second season. Showrunner Russell T Davies and producer Phil Collinson have announced that Peter Hoar, known for directing the mid-season finale "A Good Man Goes To War" in Smith's season 6 as well as the award-nominated Bill & Frank episode of The Last of Us, will handle episodes in the second filming block. Joining him is Alex Pillai, a newcomer to the Doctor Who franchise but with previous experience working on both Riverdale and Netflix's Bridgerton, who will handle the first block of the season.

Hoar's Post-Doctor Who Filmography Promises Potential Shake-Up From Show's Past

Doctor Who season 6's "A Good Man Goes To War" marked a significant turning point for both the season's overall storyline and the trajectory of Matt Smith's era as the Doctor. In this episode, the audience learned about River Song's true origins and discovered the identity of the individual responsible for the future death of the Eleventh Doctor. Additionally, new supporting characters were introduced, including Silurian detective Vastra, her partner and wife Jenny, and the disgraced Sontaran Strax. Despite the immense task at hand, Hoar's directing skillfully depicted the magnitude of an intense battle and one of the Doctor's most heartbreaking failures.

Hoar's experience in bringing a sci-fi blockbuster to screens is noteworthy, but it is his recent work that has generated even more anticipation for his return to Doctor Who. One of his notable projects includes the emotionally charged post-apocalyptic love story in The Last of Us season 1's "Long, Long Time". Hoar's collaboration with Davies on the critically acclaimed drama It's A Sin, which centered around the struggles of the AIDS crisis, further showcased his ability to deliver heartbreaking and grounded narratives. While his previous Doctor Who story showcased a grand scale, Hoar's recent work demonstrates his knack for capturing powerful and character-driven tales.

Gatwa's upcoming era as Doctor Who showrunner has already captivated fans and left them eagerly awaiting more. With season 15's director line-up, there are high expectations for each creative's contribution. Additionally, the inclusion of Hoar and Pillai, who have helmed popular series like Bridgerton and The Last of Us, further indicates that Doctor Who's next era may reach new levels of prominence compared to recent years.

Source: Doctor Who Magazine (Via RadioTimes)