Lost for Words

Writing Doctor Who

When I started working for Doctor Who Magazine, which

How to write Doctor Who The 1960s

Much of the creative groundwork for Doctor Who was established in guidelines and other advice to prospective writers. ALISTAIR McGOWN describes the contribution made by of the series’ earliest story editors

COMIC CUTS

The second Dr Who Annual, published by World

David Whitaker

David Whitaker played a crucial role in shaping the series we know today. SIMON GUERRIER considers the profound influence of Doctor Who’s first story editor

Terry Nation

Terry Nation has  received widespread acclaim as the creator of the Daleks, but  OLIVER WAKE argues that the prolific writer was also one of the grand architects of Doctor Who

THE 1960s

MATTHEW KILBURN explains how Doctor Who’s earliest writers defined the structure and parameters of the series for years to come

FIRST IN, FIRST OUT

Far left inset: Anthony Coburn. Left: The first

ANATOMY OF A SCRIPT THE PITCH AND OUTLINE

JONATHAN MORRIS describes the earliest stages in the evolution of a Doctor Who story

THE SERIES PITCH

Above: Julian Glover as Richard the Lionheart and William

Gerry Davis & Kit Pedler

SIMON GUERRIER dissects the scripts written by two of Doctor Who’s leading visionaries, discovering a blurred line between science and science fiction…

Terrance Dicks

The man who wrote more Doctor Who novelisations than any other author was also one of the series’ most accomplished script editors. JOHN DORNEY reflects on Terrance Dicks’ rich legacy

BARRY LETTS

Above left inset: Jon Pertwee (as the Doctor),

THE 1970s

The decade that brought us some of Doctor Who’s best-loved stories was underpinned by bold and innovative scripts, as MATTHEW KILBURN explains

SUM OF THE PARTS

Left: Thea Ransome (Wanda Ventham) becomes one with

ANATOMY OF A SCRIPT THE SCENE BREAKDOWN

The scene breakdown was once considered an important foundation of a Doctor Who script. JONATHAN MORRIS looks at some examples

THE RUNNING ORDER

Above right: The Master of the Land of Fiction

Robert Holmes

Robert Holmes had already made a significant impact on Doctor Who before he brought his considerable talent and experience to bear as a script editor. EDDIE ROBSON argues that Holmes’ reputation as one of the series’ greatest writers is well deserved

PHILIP HINCHCLIFFE

Right from top: Producer Philip Hinchcliffe; Look-in featured

GRAHAM WILLIAMS

Below left: Producer Graham Williams. Photo © Paula

Douglas Adams

Page 42 could only belong to the writer who reinvented the series with a freewheeling, comedic approach that continues to divide opinion. ALISTAIR McGOWN asks whether the galaxy’s best-known hitchhiker really went too far

How to write Doctor Who The 1970s

ALISTAIR McGOWN wonders whether the Doctor Who writers’ guide compiled by Douglas Adams was essentially misjudged

ANATOMY OF A SCRIPT THE DRAFTS

JONATHAN MORRIS explores the script archive, discovering intriguing alternative scenes and the idiosyncrasies of some of the series’ best-known writers

THE FINAL DRAFT

Above: Peter Capaldi as the Doctor in The Lie

Christopher H Bidmead

Christopher Bidmead set the series on a new course when he became the script editor of the 1980-81 season, as JASON ARNOPP explains

How to write Doctor Who The 1980s

JASON ARNOPP examines Christopher Bidmead’s guidelines, highlighting what he tried to introduce – and what he tried to retain – as he steered the series into its third decade

Eric Saward

Eric Saward was Doctor Who’s script editor from 1982 to 1986. As JAMES COORAY SMITH explains, this turbulent period included some of the most memorable stories of the decade

THE 1980s

During the 1980s nearly 30 writers had stories produced for Doctor Who. All but three were newcomers to the show. JAMES COORAY SMITH offers fresh perspectiveses on some of the decade’s highlights

NEW TO WHO

Left from top: Writers Johnny Byrne, John Flanagan,

ANATOMY OF A SCRIPT THE REHEARSAL SCRIPT

JONATHAN MORRIS looks at examples of Doctor Who’s rehearsal scripts, explaining how and why they could change before filming began

THE READTHROUGH SCRIPT

Above left and centre: Among the cast and

Andrew Cartmel

When Andrew Cartmel took over as the script editor in 1987 he had a dramatic effect on the ailing series. STUART MANNING describes how Doctor Who was briefly revitalised by its new writers

SMITH AND JONES

Above right: Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred (as Ace)

ANATOMY OF A SCRIPT THE CAMERA SCRIPT

The camera script is the director’s template for an episode of Doctor Who – but even this draft can be subject to change, as JONATHAN MORRIS explains

THE SHOOTING SCRIPT

Left: Camille Coduri (as Jackie Tyler) and director Keith

Russell T Davies

The showrunner who introduced the series to a new generation wanted the scripts to be faster, funnier… and less posh. PAUL KIRKLEY looks back at how Russell T Davies achieved his aims

How to write Doctor Who The 2000s

PAUL KIRKLEY examines Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who pitch document, which offered a highly developed vision of a series with more humanity, more emotional intelligence, less mythology – and fewer Zogs

Steven Moffat

TOM SPILSBURY a sks a former showrunner to share some of the wisdom he gathered during his record-breaking tenure. “We are not at home to Mr Subtlety,” says Steven Moffat…

PITCH PERFECT

Below left: Peter Capaldi’s script for Deep Breath (2014)

THE 2000s

EMMA REEVES describes a 21st-century system of commissioning and script editing that has rewritten the rules

THE WRITER - SHOWRUNNER

Far left inset above: Russell T Davies. Far left

Chris Chibnall

EMMMA REEVES looks at the Doctor Who  work of Chris Chibnall – the writer taking the series in a bold new direction