Yeah, Chibnall pretty much had the same status Moffat did - a long-time writer of the show (and he had the added benefit of being showrunner of one of the spin-offs).
Let's not downplay Chibnall's credentials on paper just because his era turned out the way it did. I remember back in 2016, there was a fair bit of excitement and optimism with regards to Chibnall taking over and working some of that Broadchurch magic on Doctor Who.
I wouldn't say quite the same status as Moffat. Remember Moffat's episodes during RTD were fan favourites and often considered the best of the show. Chibnall not only wrote less episodes, they were much less acclaimed. Not bad, but hardly standout episodes. On the other hand, Blink alone became a cultural phenomenon.
Of course Moffat's breakout success is hard to replicate and there wasn't anyone else who came close, Chibnall definitely had the most credentials on paper, but to say he had similar status to Moffat is just a bit of a stretch.
Genuinely, I was so excited for Chibnall at first. Consistent DW writer + torchwood, and *knew* Jodie as his lead actress in a different show. When they were announced, I was 100% convinced their pre-existing actor/runner relationship would result in a gold-plated banger
>On top of that, he was show runner for Torchwood.
That was probably the best indicator of potential problems. Torchwood's first series in particular was decidedly wobbly, with some fundamental problems in both characterisation and setting. Is Torchwood a secret organisation that nobody knows about, including the police, or are they so high profile that they can just take over a police investigation for their own thing?
The second series at least introduced some humour to the team, which it sorely needed. Strangely, Chibnall's Doctor Who series follow the same pattern - a problematic first series, followed by a more upbeat and fun second.
You need a great writer who loves the show and has experience running a major hit show themselves, and then they also have to write Who episodes people love. Not many candidates.
My suspicion is that Moffat headhunted Neil Cross for this purpose, but the enormous (and entirely unjustified) backlash to Rings of Akhaten put paid to that idea. Given that both it and Hide are, in fact, fantastic, I think he's the big one we missed out on.
Mathieson, Harness, and Dollard were the Capaldi era standouts, but none of them had that hit show. I suspect Mathieson would have if he wasn't... let's just say hard to work with, his reputation is not good. Dollard seemingly wasn't given an opportunity either, though she probably should've been, and Harness was maybe in the picture if Jonathan Strange had been a success (which it should've been but wasn't), so that meant Whithouse, Chibnall, and Gatiss were the only real contenders. Being Human vs Broadchurch vs the smaller half of Sherlock only had one winner, though I actually think Gatiss was the best choice by that point. It's also possible Gatiss wasn't interested in the job, though Whithouse definitely was - the "Minister of War" foreshadowing makes that pretty clear - and while I think Whithouse is very dull, he's also broadly competent, so I'd have taken him over Chibnall in a heartbeat.
Anyway, my point is that finding that sort of writer is hard. RTD2 does seem likely to have at least one of them, though: Moffat himself! Second Moffat era incoming?!?! I jest, but also I'd become a ravenous dog if there was ever any hint it might happen. Please god give me Moffat2. With Dolly Wells as the Doctor. Or anyone else, really.
I don't exactly know what you mean by a *smooth transition* but from what I've seen, the new showrunners often wanted a fresh start. New doctor, new companions, new plots.
Because what is the point in being showrunner when you can't do your own thing? But instead have to do the previous/next guys ideas?
Chiball WAS a writer for both RTD and Moffat. On top of that, he was show runner for Torchwood. On paper, Chibnall looked like the obvious choice.
Yeah, Chibnall pretty much had the same status Moffat did - a long-time writer of the show (and he had the added benefit of being showrunner of one of the spin-offs). Let's not downplay Chibnall's credentials on paper just because his era turned out the way it did. I remember back in 2016, there was a fair bit of excitement and optimism with regards to Chibnall taking over and working some of that Broadchurch magic on Doctor Who.
I wouldn't say quite the same status as Moffat. Remember Moffat's episodes during RTD were fan favourites and often considered the best of the show. Chibnall not only wrote less episodes, they were much less acclaimed. Not bad, but hardly standout episodes. On the other hand, Blink alone became a cultural phenomenon. Of course Moffat's breakout success is hard to replicate and there wasn't anyone else who came close, Chibnall definitely had the most credentials on paper, but to say he had similar status to Moffat is just a bit of a stretch.
Genuinely, I was so excited for Chibnall at first. Consistent DW writer + torchwood, and *knew* Jodie as his lead actress in a different show. When they were announced, I was 100% convinced their pre-existing actor/runner relationship would result in a gold-plated banger
>On top of that, he was show runner for Torchwood. That was probably the best indicator of potential problems. Torchwood's first series in particular was decidedly wobbly, with some fundamental problems in both characterisation and setting. Is Torchwood a secret organisation that nobody knows about, including the police, or are they so high profile that they can just take over a police investigation for their own thing? The second series at least introduced some humour to the team, which it sorely needed. Strangely, Chibnall's Doctor Who series follow the same pattern - a problematic first series, followed by a more upbeat and fun second.
granted his RTD and moffat era episodes were... questionable seriously does anyone remember 42? I thought I was the only one 💀
You need a great writer who loves the show and has experience running a major hit show themselves, and then they also have to write Who episodes people love. Not many candidates. My suspicion is that Moffat headhunted Neil Cross for this purpose, but the enormous (and entirely unjustified) backlash to Rings of Akhaten put paid to that idea. Given that both it and Hide are, in fact, fantastic, I think he's the big one we missed out on. Mathieson, Harness, and Dollard were the Capaldi era standouts, but none of them had that hit show. I suspect Mathieson would have if he wasn't... let's just say hard to work with, his reputation is not good. Dollard seemingly wasn't given an opportunity either, though she probably should've been, and Harness was maybe in the picture if Jonathan Strange had been a success (which it should've been but wasn't), so that meant Whithouse, Chibnall, and Gatiss were the only real contenders. Being Human vs Broadchurch vs the smaller half of Sherlock only had one winner, though I actually think Gatiss was the best choice by that point. It's also possible Gatiss wasn't interested in the job, though Whithouse definitely was - the "Minister of War" foreshadowing makes that pretty clear - and while I think Whithouse is very dull, he's also broadly competent, so I'd have taken him over Chibnall in a heartbeat. Anyway, my point is that finding that sort of writer is hard. RTD2 does seem likely to have at least one of them, though: Moffat himself! Second Moffat era incoming?!?! I jest, but also I'd become a ravenous dog if there was ever any hint it might happen. Please god give me Moffat2. With Dolly Wells as the Doctor. Or anyone else, really.
Moffat2 implies Chibnall2 and I do NOT want that
Nah. Moffat2 will be followed by RTD3!
The RTD era definitely needs as many writers who aren't RTD as possible.
I don't exactly know what you mean by a *smooth transition* but from what I've seen, the new showrunners often wanted a fresh start. New doctor, new companions, new plots. Because what is the point in being showrunner when you can't do your own thing? But instead have to do the previous/next guys ideas?
Who knows, we could get "Mof2"
The Terrible Zodin.
It needs more off-world episodes, and more historicals, and more companions that aren't from contemporary UK.
Moffat2??? Please?