Doctor Who has been struggling to find its feet in the last few years after the revived show hit a peak with the combination of David Tennant’s Doctor and Russell T. Davies’ big visual storylines. One of the biggest issues facing the series has been a reduction in budget from BBC and a run of seasons that failed to engage audiences by having a huge focus on long monologues about social issues and not enough action scenes.

Now it seems that those issues could be solved by the return of Davies, who recently explained that one thing that drew him back to the show was the recent involvement of Disney and the additional budget that brings with it. However, he quickly dismissed rumors of a mega-budget being thrown at the series. Speaking to GQ, Davies commented:

When asked whether the larger budget instigated his return, he added:

“I mean any piece of television costs millions. We’re not allowed to talk about budget, and we’re not on that Star Wars or Star Trek level, but it’s more than I’ve ever had to work with. Honestly, read my column in Doctor Who magazine, as [executive producer] Jane [Tranter] tried to very clearly say, it’s not ten million an episode. It’s absolutely not. I wish it was, it’d make my life easier. But we’re very clever at spending money, I think Doctor Who has learnt more tricks over the years than other shows have, perhaps.”

“…it’s one of the reason[s] I’ve come back – you can tell stories on a bigger scale. It’s the same old problems, I still have to cut scenes because they’re too expensive, and I still have to reduce the number of monsters, and things like that, but my imagination feels more free, a lot more free, actually. It’s just a joy to write anyway. I’m really proud of it. Oh my god, there are some strong episodes coming up."

Doctor Who Brings Back David Tennant to Celebrate its 60th Anniversary

     BBC

For the first time in the history of Doctor Who, David Tennant returns to reprise his role of the Doctor as a different Doctor. Seen in Jodie Whittaker’s final episode as the Time Lord, her regeneration found Tennant once again becoming the character as he returns for three special episodes at the end of the year, which celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Doctor Who franchise.

There are already a lot of expectations for the new era of Doctor Who, as following Tennant’s three episodes, the mantle will pass on again, this time to Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa. Russell T. Davies will continue as showrunner into the new season and has already revealed that he is looking forward to bringing Gatwa’s new Doctor to the world. He previously said:

“Last night we had Ncuti’s first read-through. He’s so unbelievably stunning. I can’t wait for you to see him. He just lifts your hair off your head. He’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful, in every sense. So, very excited. But, to have David and Catherine doing three hours as well is extra joy.”