A Croydon writer is among the script team announced by the BBC who have been working in secret on the new series of Doctor Who.
Jodie Whittaker is the 13th Doctor. Scripts for the coming series will be worked on by Croydon writer Joy Wlkinson
Joy Wilkinson lives in the north of the borough. Her work for the stage has been widely acclaimed already: Wilkinson has been selected as a Screen International “Star of Tomorrow” and has had two screenplays featured on the Brit List.
Her TV scripts include the BBC five-parter The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby, while her theatre work has won prizes including the Verity Bargate Award. Wilkinson’s latest play, The Sweet Science of Bruising, about women boxers, opens at the Southwark Playhouse on October 3.
“Thanks for all the big-ups and warm welcome to the Whoniverse,” Wilkinson tweeted after the news of her latest, biggest gig yet, broke yesterday.
The 2018 series of Doctor Who, which is due to air in the autumn, will be the 37th since William Hartnell first appeared through a cloud of dry ice in the role of The Doctor in 1963. The 2018 run is more significant, perhaps, than many because, as was revealed in the last Christmas special, when Peter Capaldi’s time in the title role came to an end through the latest regeneration, The Doctor is to be played by a woman for the first time, Jodie Whittaker.
Wilkinson is part of a team of writers which includes Malorie Blackman, the former Children’s Laureate.
Joy Wilkinson: ‘pinching myself’
Chris Chibnall, the BBC’s showrunner for Doctor Who, said, “We have a team of writers who’ve been working quietly and secretly for a long time now, crafting characters, worlds and stories to excite and move you.
“Hailing from a range of backgrounds, tastes and styles, here’s what unites them: they are awesome people as well as brilliant at their job. It matters! They love Doctor Who. And they’ve all worked above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to bring audiences something special, later this year.”
Wilkinson said, “I loved the show and felt like it might be a good fit for me, but I knew it was really hard to get on to. So quite frankly I’m still pinching myself to be here!”
Wilkinson is married to Croydon Council’s new chief digital officer, Neil Williams.
As Williams tweeted yesterday, shortly after the BBC announcement, “Feeling pretty pleased with my life choices having married a woman 15 years ago who is now involved in creating adventures for the first female Doctor. Proud proud proud.”
The Croydon-related possibilities for the new Doctor seem endless. Maybe the Tardis can make a landing on top of Leon House, in its new roof garden? Or the Daleks – Exterminate! Exterminate! – could take over at Fisher’s Folly… oh yeah, that’s already happened.
Or perhaps Williams will be able to borrow a sonic screwdriver to help speed up the multitude of fixes required to the council’s online offerings…
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