Neil Gaiman confirms Doctor Who episode!
Speaking at a Q&A session at the SFX Weekender earlier today, Neil Gaiman confirmed that he will be writing an episode of Doctor Who, ending the long-standing rumours which date all the way back to 2008!
And those eagle-eyed beings amongst us will straightaway realise that his name isn’t included on the recently unveiled list of confirmed writers for the upcoming fifth series, and there’s a very simple reason for this. His story will be part of Series 6 in 2011!
He exclusively told SFX: “As anyone who’s read my blog knows, I’m a big fan of a certain long-running British SF TV series. One that I started watching – from behind the sofa – when I was three. And while I know it’s cruel to make you wait for things, in about 14 months from now, which is to say, NOT in the upcoming season but early in the one after that, it’s quite possible that I might have written an episode. And if I had, it would originally have been called “The House of Nothing”. But it definitely isn’t called that any more. Countdown. You’ve got about 14 months.”
This is fantastic news, as Gaiman is acclaimed all over the world for his sci-fi and fantasy stories! His novels include Stardust and Coraline, both of which have been adapted into successful feature films. He also co-wrote the 2007 smash Beowulf with Roger Avary, and is the man behind the epic comic book series, The Sandman. Stay tuned for more!
I just pooped myself O_O
@David Fox
…In a good way!
Damn! Why couldn’t he have been writing the 2010 Christmas Special? Although, I suppose that still means there’s a possibility of Gareth Roberts writing it, which would be fantastic!
Also, an early episode means less of a wait, so that’s cool.
This is amazing news. Some of his work is incredible so to have him writing for DW is a huge coup. Series six (aka two, aka 31, etc…) feels like a lifetime away though.
Series Six/Two/Thirty One! Gosh, it’s so bizarre to be thinking about it now.
@TSG
Thirty Two (Series Four was Thirty)
Yep, my initial mistake. I mean, technically, it could be 33 (if the Specials were classed as a mini-series – which they should be as they were so different in tone to S4/S30), or 34 (if the McGann movie was classed as a “season”) – all mused on by Mr Moffat in DWM recently.
In a way it doesn’t matter, but it’ll be interesting to see what they’ll be calling it on the DVD releases. “The Complete Series One” will be a tad confusing for DVD buyers in the future.
Oops. Ah well. I think I’ll stick to Five, Six, etc. We need an official body to decide this, really. But then again, the official body has gone for One, hasn’t it? You’re right, David, it’ll be interesting to see what the DVDs are called.
@David
It’d be brilliant if they put “The Complete Series Fnarg” on the draft artwork just to confuse people further.
Wait, they’re starting over from 1? What happened to calling it series 5?
@ Gallifrey
It is classed to the viewers and the bbc as series five but apparently moffat and co are starting from scratch, so they are referring to it as Series One, as its being run by a new production company. But I agree, it will be very confusing if they call it series one on dvds and tv. It would be as though the previous era never existed, which is wrong.
@TE
I doubt gareth roberts will write the christmas special. It will most likely be Stephen Moffat who writes it. Besides Gareth is writing a one hour xmas special for Sarah Jane Adventures according to wikipedia
@ TE
“The Complete Series Fnarg” would be utterly brilliant, I agree
@pirko
I think on tv they probably won’t even refer to which series it is, it’ll just be “the new series”, but DVD – surely for the sake of some sort of continuity they will have to label it “Series Five/The Complete Fifth Series”. Later this year calling it Series One wouldn’t be too confusing, but in ten year’s time or so when people are, hopefully, still buying these DVDs (or the equivalent future format) it would look ridiculous.
“Aaaargh! Will I buy Series one with the Northern bloke, or Series One with the studenty guy? Oh! Wait a sec, there’s Series One with the old black & white geezer! Repeat Aaaargh!”
I have faith in The Moff though, so I guess all will fall into place in the coming months.
I’m tempted to start a Facebook group with a petition for calling it Series Fnarg.
@pirko
Not anymore. Presumably the edit on Wikipedia was reverted because of the Christmas part: according to his agent, Gareth is writing 1×60 special for The Sarah Jane Adventures, as well as 2×30 episodes.
But, it’s the fact that Gareth is down for writing two episodes of Series Five, yet he’s only been confirmed to be writing one: The Agency – Gareth Roberts.
@TSG
If only they listed the series numbers in trailers: “Doctor Who – Series Fnarg. Coming soon to BBC One and BBC HD”.
@ TE
I stand corrected. You are right. He is writing a one hour special for SJA, even if its not a xmas episode. He might be down for writing 2 episodes for series 5, he might be co-writing the xmas special with Moffat. From the past five years it has become the norm that the head writer will always write the christmas special