Former Doctor Whoshowrunner Russell T. Davies is clapping back at the media’s reporting of the series recent shelving in a new interview.
Last week, news broke that the BBC sci-fi series would not move forward with its planned Christmas special and would be shelved, leading many to report that the franchise had been canceled.
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Davies addressed the series’ status during an interview with Gaydio. “Go ahead and call it canceled if you want; you’re wrong; you’re literally wrong,” he said.
The Queer as Folk creator explained that the show is not canceled but rather “It’s been put out to tender.”
The award-winning showrunner elaborated, “That’s an industry phrase, and people might not understand what a show being put out to tender means.” However, he also argues that those claiming the show is canceled and complaining online about the BBC’s decision should also use a search engine and “look it up.”
Davies went on to explain, “Being put out to tender means the program is pitched to be made by an independent company, as opposed to the BBC.”
This basically means that the BBC allows third parties to put their mark on its intellectual property. This doesn’t mean the BBC couldn’t still be the one to produce Doctor Who, as Davies explained, “Independent companies include BBC Studios, by the way, which is separate to BBC Public Service.”
One long-running, popular property that was put out to tender by the BBC recently was Casualty, as the BBC medical drama is now being made independently by BBC Studios.
Davies believes this is a good thing because it acknowledges the long-term investment in making Doctor Who successful. “No one’s gonna apply for a tender for one year; it’s not worth it,” he said. “I think this guarantees you’ve gotta lock in just to make it financially worthwhile.”
While Davies and his production company, Bad Wolf, will no longer be involved with the franchise, he feels very positive about its future, sharing, “So I think this guarantees years of the program, but no, it’s not canceled.”
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Doctor Who is streaming now on AMC+.
Related: ‘Doctor Who’ Christmas Special Canceled After Misleading Announcement
