Chris Chibnall: Difference between revisions

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{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{Infobox Person
{{Infobox Person
|image     = Chris Chibnall 2018.jpg
|image     = Chris Chibnall 2018.jpg
|job title = {{il|[[Show runner]]|[[Writer]]|[[Executive producer]]|[[Co-producer]]}}
|job title = {{il|[[Show runner]]|[[Writer]]|[[Executive producer]]|[[Co-producer]]}}
|story     = [[#Credits|See below]]
|story     = [[#Credits|See below]]
|time     = 2006-2008; 2018–<!--Note that this is his PRINCIPAL time active in the DWU.-->
|birth date = [[21 March (people)|21 March]] [[1970 (people)|1970]]
|non dwu   = ''Life on Mars'', ''Law & Order: UK'', ''Broadchurch''
|time       = 2006-2008, 2012, 2018–2022<!--Note that this is his PRINCIPAL time active in the DWU.-->
|imdb     = 1163823
|non dwu   = ''Life on Mars'', ''Law & Order: UK'', ''Broadchurch''
|twitter   =  
|imdb       = 1163823
|clip     = Regenerating Doctor Who Doctor Who Series 11
|twitter   =  
|clip       = Regenerating Doctor Who Doctor Who Series 11
|aka = |role =
}}{{TOC limit|4}}
}}{{TOC limit|4}}
'''Chris Chibnall''' was the [[head writer]] and [[executive producer]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'', starting with [[series 11 (Doctor Who)|series 11]].
'''Christopher Antony Chibnall''' (born [[21 March (people)|21 March]] [[1970 (people)|1970]]<ref>[https://guide.doctorwhonews.net/person.php?name=chrischibnall Doctor Who Guide]</ref>) was the [[head writer]] and [[executive producer]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'', from [[Series 11 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 11]] in 2018 to [[Series 13 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 13]] in 2021 including a series of [[special]]s in 2022.


Before taking over from [[Steven Moffat]], Chibnall had written several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', from [[Series 3 (Doctor Who)|series 3]] in 2007 to [[Series 7 (Doctor Who)|series 7]] in 2012. He was also the effective head writer of [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|series 1]] and [[Series 2 (Torchwood)|2]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'' from 2006-08, after becoming [[co-producer]] of those first two series. This status made him a regular interviewee on ''[[Torchwood Declassified]]''. He has also made four appearances on ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]''.
Before taking over from [[Steven Moffat]], Chibnall had written several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', from [[Series 3 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 3]] in 2007 to [[Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 7]] in 2012. He was also the effective head writer of [[Series 1 (Torchwood)|series 1]] and [[Series 2 (Torchwood)|2]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'' from 2006-08, after becoming [[co-producer]] of those first two series. This status made him a regular interviewee on ''[[Torchwood Declassified]]''. He has also made four appearances on ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]''.
 
That said, ''many'' people were frequent guests of ''Declassified'' and ''Confidential''. What made Chibnall unique as a "DWU talking head" was that he was the only one who can claim to have done it in the 1980s. Of all the [[producer]]s of the [[BBC Wales]] version of the [[Doctor Who universe|''Doctor Who'' universe]], he was the only one to have appeared on the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] talking about the ''1963 version'' of ''Doctor Who'', while it was still on the air.
 
A noticeable habit with Chris's ''Doctor Who'' stories is that he tends to write the Doctor and their companions into being trapped (literally or because a situation will get worse without their intervention) and needing to find a way out, as opposed to the usual fleeing and hiding from hostiles.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
=== As a youth ===
=== As a youth ===
In 1986, Chibnall represented the [[Doctor Who Appreciation Society]] on the BBC's public opinion show "[[Open Air]]". There he famously criticised ''[[The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' season as a specific example of the generally inconsistent quality of the series in the 1980s. The segment can be seen as a special feature on the [[BBC DVD]] of ''[[The Ultimate Foe]]''.
In 1986, Chibnall represented the [[Doctor Who Appreciation Society]] on the BBC's public opinion show "[[Open Air]]". There he famously criticised ''[[Season 23 (Doctor Who 1963)|The Trial of a Time Lord]]'' season as a specific example of the generally inconsistent quality of the series in the 1980s. The segment can be seen as a special feature on the [[BBC DVD]] of ''[[The Ultimate Foe (TV story)|The Ultimate Foe]]''.


=== Career ===
=== Career ===
Chibnall's first major piece of television was 2002's ''[[Born and Bred]]'', a rural medical dramedy for which he was co-creator, prolific writer, consulting producer and [[executive producer]]. Originally [[producer|produced]] by [[Phil Collinson]], the show swiftly came to be produced by [[Chris Clough]] — ironically, the man who had [[director|directed]] half the episodes of ''Doctor Who'' that Chibnall had railed against in his teens.
Chibnall's first major piece of television was 2002's ''[[Born and Bred]]'', a rural medical dramedy for which he was co-creator, prolific writer, consulting producer and [[executive producer]]. Originally [[producer|produced]] by [[Phil Collinson]], the show swiftly came to be produced by [[Chris Clough]] — ironically, the man who had [[Director (crew)|directed]] half the episodes of ''Doctor Who'' that Chibnall had railed against in his teens.


In 2005, he wrote his first script for {{wi|Life on Mars (UK TV series)|Life on Mars}}, and a script for ''All About George'', a six part [[serial]].
In 2005, he wrote his first script for ''[[Life on Mars (TV series)|Life on Mars]]'', and a script for ''All About George'', a six part [[serial]].


Also in 2005, Chibnall was brought into ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'' by [[Russell T Davies]], who would officially credit him as [[co-producer]], but effectively make him the head writer. During this period he also wrote his first ''Doctor Who'' script, ''[[42 (TV story)|42]]'', and his second script for {{wi|Life on Mars (UK TV series)|Life on Mars}}. He did not participate in the third ''Torchwood'' series, ''[[Children of Earth]]'', but instead spent the 2008 production year working on {{wi|Law & Order: UK}}, starring [[Freema Agyeman]] and [[Bill Paterson]]. There, he wrote the majority of the episodes in the show's first series, adapting storylines from the original [[American]] scripts. RTD lamented the loss of Chibnall in his book, ''[[The Writer's Tale]]'', pointing out how much work Chibnall had actually shouldered in the previous two ''Torchwood'' seasons. Around the end of his run on ''Torchwood'', he also wrote the fifth episode of {{wi|Spooks: Code 9}}, a spin-off of {{wi|Spooks (TV series)|Spooks}} on which [[writer]] [[James Moran]] and actor [[Georgia Moffett]] both worked.
Also in 2005, Chibnall was brought into ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'' by [[Russell T Davies]], who would officially credit him as [[co-producer]], but effectively make him the head writer. During this period he also wrote his first ''Doctor Who'' script, ''[[42 (TV story)|42]]'', and his second script for ''[[Life on Mars (TV series)|Life on Mars]]''. Though it was largely inspired by his script of the episode Adrift, he did not participate in the third ''Torchwood'' series, ''[[Series 3 (Torchwood)|Children of Earth]]'', but instead spent the 2008 production year working on {{wi|Law & Order: UK}}, starring [[Freema Agyeman]] and [[Bill Paterson]]. There, he wrote the majority of the episodes in the show's first series, adapting storylines from the original [[American]] scripts. RTD lamented the loss of Chibnall in his book, ''[[The Writer's Tale]]'', pointing out how much work Chibnall had actually shouldered in the previous two ''Torchwood'' seasons. Around the end of his run on ''Torchwood'', Chibnall also wrote the fifth episode of {{wi|Spooks: Code 9}}, a spin-off of {{wi|Spooks (TV series)|Spooks}} on which [[writer]] [[James Moran]] and actor [[Georgia Moffett]] both worked.


At some point around his time on ''L & O'', [[Steven Moffat]] commissioned him to write a two-part [[Silurian]] story for ''Doctor Who'', which became ''[[The Hungry Earth]]'' and ''[[Cold Blood]]''.
At some point around his time on ''Law & Order'', [[Steven Moffat]] commissioned him to write a two-part [[Silurian]] story for ''Doctor Who'', which became ''[[The Hungry Earth (TV story)|The Hungry Earth]]'' and ''[[Cold Blood (TV story)|Cold Blood]]''.


In the 2009-2010 production season, he saw the production of his script for the tele-movie {{wi|United (TV drama)|United}}, directed by [[James Strong]] and featuring a post-[[Tenth Doctor]] [[David Tennant]]. By 2009, Chibnall was moving on to his next big series, {{wi|Camelot (TV series)|Camelot}}, an adult adaptation of the [[King Arthur]] legend. Broadcast on and co-produced by [[Starz]], ''Camelot'' saw Chibnall return to the role of series creator and head writer. However, days before the launch of ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'' — another Starz original — the network announced that the generally well-reviewed show had been cancelled due to scheduling problems with its main actors. Chibnall was again left to find new work.
In the 2009-2010 production season, he saw the production of his script for the tele-movie {{wi|United (2011 film)|United}}, directed by [[James Strong]] and featuring a post-[[Tenth Doctor]] [[David Tennant]]. By 2009, Chibnall was moving on to his next big series, {{wi|Camelot (TV series)|Camelot}}, an adult adaptation of the [[King Arthur]] legend. Broadcast on and co-produced by [[Starz]], ''Camelot'' saw Chibnall return to the role of series creator and head writer. However, days before the launch of ''[[Series 4 (Torchwood)|Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'' — another Starz original — the network announced that the generally well-reviewed show had been cancelled due to scheduling problems with its main actors. Chibnall was again left to find new work.


He has spoken out against ''[[Series 4 (Torchwood)|Torchwood: Miracle Day]],'' stating that the show had lost its "essence".<ref>http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s8/torchwood/news/a458928/torchwood-writer-on-miracle-day-it-lost-the-shows-essence.html</ref>
He has spoken out against ''[[Series 4 (Torchwood)|Torchwood: Miracle Day]],'' stating that the show had lost its "essence".<ref>http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s8/torchwood/news/a458928/torchwood-writer-on-miracle-day-it-lost-the-shows-essence.html</ref>
Line 37: Line 35:
In 2013, he wrote the [[ITV]] drama {{wi|Broadchurch}}, which was directed by [[Euros Lyn]], starred [[Jodie Whittaker]], [[David Tennant]] and [[Olivia Colman]], and also featured [[Arthur Darvill]] and [[David Bradley]]. ''Broadchurch'' went on to have three series, all written and executive produced by Chibnall.
In 2013, he wrote the [[ITV]] drama {{wi|Broadchurch}}, which was directed by [[Euros Lyn]], starred [[Jodie Whittaker]], [[David Tennant]] and [[Olivia Colman]], and also featured [[Arthur Darvill]] and [[David Bradley]]. ''Broadchurch'' went on to have three series, all written and executive produced by Chibnall.


He was interviewed in [[DWM 485|issue 485]] of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' for the revival series' tenth anniversary. He commented that he always hoped that the show would return to TV.
He was interviewed in [[DWM 485]] for the revival series' tenth anniversary. He commented that he always hoped that the show would return to TV.


=== As head writer ===
=== As head writer ===
Having taken over from [[Steven Moffat]], Chibnall decided to tone down the mythology of the show, as some might suggest its focus on lore was driving new viewers away. During his [[Series 11 (Doctor Who)|first series]], there was a less rushed pacing in some episodes, arguably due to the added five minutes of runtime, a minor distinction from past series'.
Having taken over from [[Steven Moffat]], Chibnall decided to tone down the mythology of the show, as some might suggest its focus on lore was driving new viewers away. During his [[Series 11 (Doctor Who 2005)|first series]], audiences felt that there was a less rushed pacing in some episodes, arguably due to the added five minutes of runtime, a minor distinction from past series', or perhaps due to the more standalone nature of the stories.
 
In light of taking over, he went on to backtrack on his comments about ''Trial'' in his youth as part of the DWAS, deeming the words of his 16-year-old self "a load of nonsense".<ref>https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a867737/doctor-who-series-11-boss-chris-chibnall-criticism-nonsense/</ref>


Having focused on a "toned down" version of the show for his Series 11, the following [[Series 12 (Doctor Who)|Series 12]] would go on to become a whirlwind of huge changes to the show's long-standing narratives, some of which had been formed by the likes of [[Sydney Newman]] and [[Verity Lambert]] themselves. These changes included removing the Doctor's race and status as a [[Time Lord]] (first revealed in 1969's [[The War Games]], [[Patrick Troughton]]'s exit from the show as incumbent Doctor), and revealing the answer to the question that the series was founded on: "[[Doctor who?]]"
Having focused on a "toned down" version of the show for his Series 11, the following [[Series 12 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 12]] would go on to become a whirlwind of huge changes to the show's long-standing narratives, some of which had been formed by the likes of [[Sydney Newman]] and [[Verity Lambert]] themselves. These changes included changing up the Doctor's species and method of becoming a [[Time Lord]].


He reportedly plotted his era to adapt a story plan he had since he was a child.<ref>[https://cultbox.co.uk/news/the-timeless-child-jodie-whittaker-hints-of-a-continuing-mystery Jodie Whitaker interview]</ref>  
He reportedly plotted his era to adapt a story plan he had since he was a child.<ref>[https://cultbox.co.uk/news/the-timeless-child-jodie-whittaker-hints-of-a-continuing-mystery Jodie Whitaker interview]</ref>


Although he has been occasionally criticised for mishandling certain elements, his era strove to tell diverse stories, much like his predecessor, and he has the distinction of introducing the first [[Islam|Muslim]] companion of the series, [[Yasmin Khan]].
Like his predecessor, his era strove to tell diverse stories. His era notably introduced the first [[Islam|Muslim]] companion, Yasmin Khan, and Ryan Sinclair, a man with [[dyspraxia]], which he stated had been inspired by his nephew having the condition.<ref>https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-10-19/doctor-who-series-11-what-is-dyspraxia-ryan-companion/
</ref>
 
Chibnall’s run as head writer has proved controversial amongst fans and critics. While his run as head writer has been praised for its increased production values and special effects, it has been criticised for poor characterisation, slow pacing, and most notably, the retconning of the Doctor’s species. Chibnall’s run was also accused of being too [[Political correctness|politically correct]] by critics.


== Credits ==
== Credits ==
=== Writer ===
=== Writer ===
{|width=75%
{|width=75%
|valign="top" width=50%|
|valign="top" width=49%|
==== ''Torchwood'' ====
==== ''Torchwood'' ====
===== Series 1 (2006-2007) =====
===== Series 1 (2006-07) =====
* ''[[Day One (TV story)|Day One]]''
* ''[[Day One (TV story)|Day One]]''
* ''[[Cyberwoman (TV story)|Cyberwoman]]''
* ''[[Cyberwoman (TV story)|Cyberwoman]]''
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* ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]''
* ''[[Fragments (TV story)|Fragments]]''
* ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]''
* ''[[Exit Wounds (TV story)|Exit Wounds]]''
|valign="top" width=50%|
|valign="top" width=49%|
==== ''Doctor Who'' ====
==== ''Doctor Who'' ====
===== Series 3 (2007) =====
===== Series 3 (2007) =====
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* ''[[Resolution (TV story)|Resolution]]''
* ''[[Resolution (TV story)|Resolution]]''


===== Series 12 (2020) =====
===== Series 12 (2020-21) =====
* ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall]]''
* ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall]]''
* ''[[Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)|Fugitive of the Judoon]]'' (with [[Vinay Patel]])
* ''[[Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)|Fugitive of the Judoon]]'' (with [[Vinay Patel]])
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* ''[[Can You Hear Me? (TV story)|Can You Hear Me?]]'' (with [[Charlene James]])
* ''[[Can You Hear Me? (TV story)|Can You Hear Me?]]'' (with [[Charlene James]])
* ''[[Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story)|Ascension of the Cybermen]]'' / ''[[The Timeless Children (TV story)|The Timeless Children]]''
* ''[[Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story)|Ascension of the Cybermen]]'' / ''[[The Timeless Children (TV story)|The Timeless Children]]''
* ''[[Revolution of the Daleks (TV story)|Revolution of the Daleks]]''
===== Series 13 (2021-22) =====
* ''[[The Halloween Apocalypse (TV story)|The Halloween Apocalypse]]''
* ''[[War of the Sontarans (TV story)|War of the Sontarans]]''
* ''[[Once, Upon Time (TV story)|Once, Upon Time]]''
* ''[[Village of the Angels (TV story)|Village of the Angels]]'' (with [[Maxine Alderton]])
* ''[[Survivors of the Flux (TV story)|Survivors of the Flux]]''
* ''[[The Vanquishers (TV story)|The Vanquishers]]''
* ''[[Eve of the Daleks (TV story)|Eve of the Daleks]]''
* ''[[Legend of the Sea Devils (TV story)|Legend of the Sea Devils]]'' (with [[Ella Road]])
* ''[[The Power of the Doctor (TV story)|The Power of the Doctor]]''
|}
|}
=== Co-producer ===
=== Co-producer ===
{{sidebar|m=yes|Though credited as [[co-producer]], Chibnall was the effective [[head writer]] on these episodes.}}
{{sidebar|m=yes|Though credited as [[co-producer]], Chibnall was the effective [[head writer]] on these episodes.}}
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|valign="top" width=50%|
|valign="top" width=50%|
==== ''Torchwood'' ====
==== ''Torchwood'' ====
===== Series 1 (2006-2007) =====
===== Series 1 (2006-07) =====
{{#ask:
{{#ask:
[[season::Series 1 (Torchwood)]]
[[season::Series 1 (Torchwood)]]
[[co-producer::Chris Chibnall]]
[[co-producer::Chris Chibnall]]
| format = ul
| format = ul
| template=dai
| template = dai
| link = none
| link = none
| sort=series episode number
| sort = series episode number
}}
}}
|valign="top" style="padding-top:7%" width=50%|
|valign="top" style="padding-top:7%" width=50%|
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[[co-producer::Chris Chibnall]]
[[co-producer::Chris Chibnall]]
| format = ul
| format = ul
| template=dai
| template = dai
| link = none
| link = none
| sort=series episode number
| sort = series episode number
}}
}}
|}
|}
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* ''[[Resolution (TV story)|Resolution]]''
* ''[[Resolution (TV story)|Resolution]]''
|valign="top" style="padding-top:7%" width=50%|
|valign="top" style="padding-top:7%" width=50%|
===== Series 12 (2020) =====
===== Series 12 (2020-21) =====
* ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall]]''
* ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall]]''
* ''[[Orphan 55 (TV story)|Orphan 55]]''
* ''[[Orphan 55 (TV story)|Orphan 55]]''
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* ''[[Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story)|Ascension of the Cybermen]]''
* ''[[Ascension of the Cybermen (TV story)|Ascension of the Cybermen]]''
* ''[[The Timeless Children (TV story)|The Timeless Children]]''
* ''[[The Timeless Children (TV story)|The Timeless Children]]''
* ''[[Revolution of the Daleks (TV story)|Revolution of the Daleks]]''
===== Series 13 (2021-22) =====
* ''[[The Halloween Apocalypse (TV story)|The Halloween Apocalypse]]''
* ''[[War of the Sontarans (TV story)|War of the Sontarans]]''
* ''[[Once, Upon Time (TV story)|Once, Upon Time]]''
* ''[[Village of the Angels (TV story)|Village of the Angels]]''
* ''[[Survivors of the Flux (TV story)|Survivors of the Flux]]''
* ''[[The Vanquishers (TV story)|The Vanquishers]]''
* ''[[Eve of the Daleks (TV story)|Eve of the Daleks]]''
* ''[[Legend of the Sea Devils (TV story)|Legend of the Sea Devils]]''
* ''[[The Power of the Doctor (TV story)|The Power of the Doctor]]''
|}
|}
=== Short fiction ===
* ''[[Message from the Doctor (webcast)|Message from the Doctor]]''
* ''[[Things She Thought While Falling (short story)|Things She Thought While Falling]]''


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
Chibnall is a three-time nominee for a {{w|Writers' Guild of Great Britain}} award for best series, but, unusually, he only lost once. He was nominated, along with other writers, for [[series 3 (Doctor Who)|series 3]] and [[series 5 (Doctor Who)|series 5]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'', which he won for series 3.  
Chibnall is a three-time nominee for a {{w|Writers' Guild of Great Britain}} award for best series, but only won once. He was nominated, along with other writers, for [[series 3 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 3]] and [[series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 5]] of ''[[Doctor Who]];'' he won for series 3.
 
He was also nominated for three [[Hugo Award]]s for individual episodes of ''Doctor Who'', namely [[Rosa (TV story)|Rosa]] in 2019, [[Resolution (TV story)|Resolution]] in 2020, and [[Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)|Fugitive of the Judoon]] in 2021. <ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1163823/awards</ref>


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 157: Line 189:


== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|1}}
{{reflist}}
{{NameSort}}
{{NameSort}}
[[fr:Chris Chibnall]]


[[fr:Chris Chibnall]]
[[Category:Doctor Who television writers]]
[[Category:Doctor Who television writers]]
[[Category:Doctor Who executive producers]]
[[Category:Doctor Who executive producers]]
Line 175: Line 206:
[[Category:Behind the Sofa contributors]]
[[Category:Behind the Sofa contributors]]
[[Category:Hugo award nominees]]
[[Category:Hugo award nominees]]
[[Category:Doctor Who short story writers]]

Latest revision as of 18:46, 3 November 2024

RealWorld.png

Christopher Antony Chibnall (born 21 March 1970[1]) was the head writer and executive producer of Doctor Who, from series 11 in 2018 to series 13 in 2021 including a series of specials in 2022.

Before taking over from Steven Moffat, Chibnall had written several episodes of Doctor Who, from series 3 in 2007 to series 7 in 2012. He was also the effective head writer of series 1 and 2 of Torchwood from 2006-08, after becoming co-producer of those first two series. This status made him a regular interviewee on Torchwood Declassified. He has also made four appearances on Doctor Who Confidential.

Biography

As a youth

In 1986, Chibnall represented the Doctor Who Appreciation Society on the BBC's public opinion show "Open Air". There he famously criticised The Trial of a Time Lord season as a specific example of the generally inconsistent quality of the series in the 1980s. The segment can be seen as a special feature on the BBC DVD of The Ultimate Foe.

Career

Chibnall's first major piece of television was 2002's Born and Bred, a rural medical dramedy for which he was co-creator, prolific writer, consulting producer and executive producer. Originally produced by Phil Collinson, the show swiftly came to be produced by Chris Clough — ironically, the man who had directed half the episodes of Doctor Who that Chibnall had railed against in his teens.

In 2005, he wrote his first script for Life on Mars, and a script for All About George, a six part serial.

Also in 2005, Chibnall was brought into Torchwood by Russell T Davies, who would officially credit him as co-producer, but effectively make him the head writer. During this period he also wrote his first Doctor Who script, 42, and his second script for Life on Mars. Though it was largely inspired by his script of the episode Adrift, he did not participate in the third Torchwood series, Children of Earth, but instead spent the 2008 production year working on Law & Order: UK, starring Freema Agyeman and Bill Paterson. There, he wrote the majority of the episodes in the show's first series, adapting storylines from the original American scripts. RTD lamented the loss of Chibnall in his book, The Writer's Tale, pointing out how much work Chibnall had actually shouldered in the previous two Torchwood seasons. Around the end of his run on Torchwood, Chibnall also wrote the fifth episode of Spooks: Code 9, a spin-off of Spooks on which writer James Moran and actor Georgia Moffett both worked.

At some point around his time on Law & Order, Steven Moffat commissioned him to write a two-part Silurian story for Doctor Who, which became The Hungry Earth and Cold Blood.

In the 2009-2010 production season, he saw the production of his script for the tele-movie United, directed by James Strong and featuring a post-Tenth Doctor David Tennant. By 2009, Chibnall was moving on to his next big series, Camelot, an adult adaptation of the King Arthur legend. Broadcast on and co-produced by Starz, Camelot saw Chibnall return to the role of series creator and head writer. However, days before the launch of Torchwood: Miracle Day — another Starz original — the network announced that the generally well-reviewed show had been cancelled due to scheduling problems with its main actors. Chibnall was again left to find new work.

He has spoken out against Torchwood: Miracle Day, stating that the show had lost its "essence".[2]

In 2013, he wrote the ITV drama Broadchurch, which was directed by Euros Lyn, starred Jodie Whittaker, David Tennant and Olivia Colman, and also featured Arthur Darvill and David Bradley. Broadchurch went on to have three series, all written and executive produced by Chibnall.

He was interviewed in DWM 485 for the revival series' tenth anniversary. He commented that he always hoped that the show would return to TV.

As head writer

Having taken over from Steven Moffat, Chibnall decided to tone down the mythology of the show, as some might suggest its focus on lore was driving new viewers away. During his first series, audiences felt that there was a less rushed pacing in some episodes, arguably due to the added five minutes of runtime, a minor distinction from past series', or perhaps due to the more standalone nature of the stories.

In light of taking over, he went on to backtrack on his comments about Trial in his youth as part of the DWAS, deeming the words of his 16-year-old self "a load of nonsense".[3]

Having focused on a "toned down" version of the show for his Series 11, the following Series 12 would go on to become a whirlwind of huge changes to the show's long-standing narratives, some of which had been formed by the likes of Sydney Newman and Verity Lambert themselves. These changes included changing up the Doctor's species and method of becoming a Time Lord.

He reportedly plotted his era to adapt a story plan he had since he was a child.[4]

Like his predecessor, his era strove to tell diverse stories. His era notably introduced the first Muslim companion, Yasmin Khan, and Ryan Sinclair, a man with dyspraxia, which he stated had been inspired by his nephew having the condition.[5]

Chibnall’s run as head writer has proved controversial amongst fans and critics. While his run as head writer has been praised for its increased production values and special effects, it has been criticised for poor characterisation, slow pacing, and most notably, the retconning of the Doctor’s species. Chibnall’s run was also accused of being too politically correct by critics.

Credits

Writer

Torchwood

Series 1 (2006-07)
Series 2 (2008)

Doctor Who

Series 3 (2007)
Series 5 (2010)
Series 7 (2012)
Series 11 (2018-19)
Series 12 (2020-21)
Series 13 (2021-22)

Co-producer

Though credited as co-producer, Chibnall was the effective head writer on these episodes.


Torchwood

Series 1 (2006-07)
Series 2 (2008)

Executive producer

Doctor Who

Series 11 (2018-19)
Series 12 (2020-21)
Series 13 (2021-22)

Short fiction

Awards

Chibnall is a three-time nominee for a Writers' Guild of Great Britain award for best series, but only won once. He was nominated, along with other writers, for series 3 and series 5 of Doctor Who; he won for series 3.

He was also nominated for three Hugo Awards for individual episodes of Doctor Who, namely Rosa in 2019, Resolution in 2020, and Fugitive of the Judoon in 2021. [6]

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Doctor Who Guide
  2. ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s8/torchwood/news/a458928/torchwood-writer-on-miracle-day-it-lost-the-shows-essence.html
  3. ↑ https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a867737/doctor-who-series-11-boss-chris-chibnall-criticism-nonsense/
  4. ↑ Jodie Whitaker interview
  5. ↑ https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-10-19/doctor-who-series-11-what-is-dyspraxia-ryan-companion/
  6. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1163823/awards
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