Malorie Blackman joins Doctor Who writing team ahead of Jodie Whittaker's first series

The Former Children’s Laureate will join an all-star team
New writer: Malorie Blackman will join the Doctor Who team
Nick Ansell/PA Archive/PA Images
Natasha Sporn20 August 2018

Former Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman has joined the Doctor Who team for the new series, set to air this autumn.

The award-winning author – known for her young adult Nought and Crosses series among her stellar portfolio – has joined the team, led by showrunner Chris Chibnall to work on Jodie Whittaker’s first series.

Blackman, who saw her hit book Pig Heart Boy adapted for a BAFTA-winning TV drama, said in a statement that getting the chance to write for the sci-fi show is a “dream come true”.

She joins Skins writer Ed Hime and Murdered By My Father writer Vinay Patel on the team, together with Pete McTighe and Joy Wilkinson.

New series: The writers and directors for series 11 have been revealed
BBC / BBC Studios

The opening episode of the series will be directed by Jamie Childs, who directed Whittaker’s reveal as the Thirteenth Doctor when the actress assumed the role from Peter Capaldi.

Jennifer Perrott, Sallie Aprahamian and Mark Tonderai will also join the directing staff for this series.

Set for autumn, the new series of Doctor Who will be the first to have a female actress in the titular role.

In the first teaser trailer last month, companion Ryan – played by Tosin Cole - watching something on his phone while eating and Yaz (Mandip Gill) at home – both experiencing the table and room shaking around them.

Graham - played by Bradley Walsh - was also seen going about his daily life, reading a magazine but aware of a magical presence around him.

The final frame showed Whittaker at the window, smiling, with the screen soon reading: “The universe is calling”.

Doctor Who returns to BBC One this autumn.

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