Obverse Books has announced a new book written by former Doctor Who brand manager Edward Russell, looking at the making of Doctor Who from its return in 2005 through to the casting of the first female Doctor in 2018.
Edward Russell on the show throughout the David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi years, and is one of the few people to have an intimate back-stage knowledge of the BBC show. His is able to comment on every aspect of the production from behind the scenes.
With responsibility for everything from day to day publicity to large scale media events, and with a working relationship with the creative team over 12 years of filming, Edward is uniquely placed to shed light on the personalities and processes which go into building a television legend.
There have been a plethora of books about Doctor Who, but speaking to Russell it quickly becomes clear that his was a new – and very well informed – perspective.
Growing up as a fan of Doctor Who since the early 1970s, it was a dream come true to join the team in
Cardiff a short while after it returned to screens in 2005. So much has been written about the series that it
may surprise fans to know that there are many stories that they haven’t heard. I was at the heart of
production throughout the David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi eras and am looking forward to
sharing the secrets from that time.
Not only will I discuss in detail how we made the show, I’m also going to cover all the incredible activity around it such us the conventions, the exhibitions, the World Tours, the musical concerts and the mammoth celebrations in the show’s fiftieth year such as a trip to Buckingham Palace and the recovery of long lost episodes. And it’s not just Doctor Who – we also made Torchwood, Class and the Sarah Jane Adventures – all of which will be included.
This is the story of how Russell T Davies took a long gone, but fondly remembered, cult tv show and turned
it into a broadcasting phenomenon, and how Steven Moffat then took over the baton and ran with it. Russell
sumed up the experience in one sentence.
Not only will I discuss in detail how we made the show, I’m also going to cover all the incredible activity around it such us the conventions, the exhibitions, the World Tours, the musical concerts and the mammoth celebrations in the show’s fiftieth year such as a trip to Buckingham Palace and the recovery of long lost episodes. And it’s not just Doctor Who – we also made Torchwood, Class and the Sarah Jane Adventures – all of which will be included.
It was often hard work and stressful, but it was also a lot of fun and I can’t wait to share the joy of that
wonderful adventure.
The Trip of a Lifetime – The Making of Modern Doctor Who will be available in Winter 2020, from
Obverse Books.
