The tea is piping hot
Russell T. Davies is not here for the recent AI discourse. The legendary Doctor Who showrunner recently dragged BBC director general Matt Brittin over his comments about an AI-generated episode of the iconic sci-fi series. Brittin had previously claimed at the Royal Television Society conference that he’d seen a “pretty good” AI episode of the show.
While Brittin tried to backpedal—admitting he “got into trouble” for his words—Davies wasn’t having it. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s The Media Show, Davies didn't hold back, saying, “That’s a clumsy thing to say in an industry where he’s got writers and artists and it specifically affects people, they’re the first to take the blow.”
Davies, who has the main character energy of a showrunner who knows his worth, noted that Brittin—who came from a background at Google—is still relatively new to the TV industry. “He hasn’t worked in television for that long and might not be so fruity with an opinion in future,” Davies quipped. Real talk: the writers' rooms are stressed enough without leadership hype-beasting AI, and Davies’ inbox was reportedly blowing up because of it.
What’s next for the Time Lord?
It’s been a chaotic season for the show. With Disney+ exiting as a co-financier, the Christmas special got the axe and fans were left wondering if the TARDIS had officially parked for good. However, Davies confirmed that the show is definitely not over. Despite stepping back from the project, he promised that we’ll see production for a brand-new Doctor and a new companion starting in “summer next year.”
The BBC is currently taking pitches for a reboot, with heavy hitters like Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio reportedly throwing their hats in the ring. The plot thickens, but at least we know the show will return.
Why it matters
This clash highlights the major tension between traditional creative talent and corporate leadership's push for AI adoption. When the biggest names in the industry are actively calling out executives for their “clumsy” takes, it’s a sign that the industry is lowkey on the edge regarding the future of creative labor.
