Russell T Davies Responds Firmly to Doctor Who Erasure Claims, Unveiling Future of Jodie Whittaker Era

Summary

Russel T Davies clarifies rumors about erasing Jodie Whittaker's era in a hilarious response, poking fun at fan culture.

Davies assures that the Doctor played by Whittaker has not been erased, but raises the question of whether choosing not to erase her is, in fact, an act of erasure itself.

In a clever nod, Davies makes reference to the Snyder Cut movement and Trump's infamous "covfefe" tweet, sparking excitement and amusement among fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming specials.

Doctor Who showrunner Russel T Davies is set to address the controversy surrounding Jodie Whittaker's era as the Thirteenth Doctor. Whittaker's stint spanned from 2018 to 2022, with her character seemingly regenerating into the Fourteenth Doctor, played by David Tennant. However, Whittaker's time as the Doctor faced criticism due to the Timeless Child storyline, which altered the Doctor's origin. This has led to speculation that Davies may completely disregard Whittaker's era.

Contrary to these rumors, Davies has no intentions of dismissing Whittaker's tenure. In a humorous statement featured in the "Letter from the Showrunner" section of Doctor Who Magazine, Davies playfully addresses these rumors and pokes fun at fan culture. He adopts the persona of a fan watching the first of the three 60th Anniversary specials, referencing the Snyder Cut of Justice League and Donald Trump's infamous "covfefe" tweet. See Davies' quote below, as reported by RadioTimes.com.

"Oh my goodness, that's London! Is it too much London? I actually preferred Sheffield, but now I feel snubbed by it. It's quite unkind towards the people of Sheffield. I'll definitely make a post about this and see how others react to this snub. Oh my goodness, the TARDIS! Look at the Jodie exterior. It's reassuring that she hasn't been erased, but at the same time, by not erasing her, does it erase the argument that she had been erased? Is this an act of erasure then? Release the Snyder Cut! I hope they don't upscale it to 5K and ruin it. Covfefe! I wonder what this track will be called on the soundtrack. We're only 30 seconds into it, faithful viewer. Wish us luck."

Davies Will Not Ignore Whittaker's Run

While Davies' message initially aimed to incite laughter, it offers crucial insight into the show's future. Not only does he hint at the upcoming 60th Anniversary specials, but he also assumes responsibility for overseeing Doctor Who season 14, which will pave the way for these specials. As a result, Davies' choices will have a direct impact on all forthcoming seasons. Regardless of the controversy surrounding Whittaker's portrayal, her tenure on the show remains an integral part of its ongoing narrative and merits recognition.

Continuity has always been crucial in Doctor Who. Despite the backlash against "The Timeless Child," it built upon the foundation laid by the Seventh Doctor's era. Sylvester McCoy's tenure reintroduced the character's mystery and hinted at a mysterious past connected to the origins of Time Lords. Whittaker's current run has expanded upon this established premise.

Considering Davies' affection for the classic years of the show, it comes as no surprise that he is keen on keeping Whittaker's era. It would be questionable to erase the history of the first female Doctor. Davies has demonstrated his commitment to honoring the past and future showrunners and actors. This bodes well for the future of Doctor Who.

Source: Doctor Who Magazine & RadioTimes.com