American Gods creator Neil Gaiman responds with a cryptic answer when asked if he’s returning to Doctor Who series.
Neil Gaiman was once a creative comet in the universe of Doctor Who. In this vastness is where the TARDIS travels through space and time. Gaiman conjured worlds that resonated through the cosmos of this cult classic with his pen.
As the TARDIS’s wailing siren is to the ears, so is the news of Neil Gaiman’s possible return to the Doctor Who writer’s room to the hearts of the Whovians. However, like the elusive Doctor himself, Gaiman’s return remains shrouded in mystery.
Neil Gaiman has authored two memorable episodes during Matt Smith’s tenure as The Doctor. Gaiman is a name synonymous with the fantastic and the magical. The episodes in question, The Doctor’s Wife and Nightmare in Silver, are regarded as some of the gems in the treasure chest that is Doctor Who. Neil’s association with the show is not a mere dalliance. It is a romance that began in his childhood, with memories tracing back to the age of eight. Gaiman was mesmerized by the enchanting tales woven in the Doctor Who universe even back then. He was particularly fond of the final part of Patrick Troughton’s The War Games.
Gaiman would eventually rise in the literary world through his masterpieces like American Gods and Coraline. However, TARDIS’ siren call would never leave the stream of his subconscious mind. As fate would have it, he will eventually meet a former Doctor Who showrunner, Steven Moffat. The encounter would lead to Gaiman becoming a part of Doctor Who lore.
With a fervor only a true fan could possess, Gaiman seized the opportunity to write for the show. His first foray was the critically acclaimed The Doctor’s Wife, which delved into the heart of the TARDIS. His sophomore effort, Nightmare in Silver, was an eerie tale that saw the Eleventh Doctor transforming into a sinister Cyber-Planner.
Davies Returns to Helm While Gaiman Waltzes with Uncertainty
Meanwhile, the winds of change are blowing through Doctor Who once more. With the advent of the Ncuti Gatwa era, Russell T. Davies, a maestro from yesteryears, is set to return as showrunner and writer. With one luminary poised to make a grand re-entry, speculation was rife about Gaiman’s encore. This celestial dance of possibilities reached Gaiman’s ears, and he responded, albeit ambiguously.
On Tumblr, Gaiman expressed his love for being a part of the Doctor Who audience, savoring the excitement of the unknown. His answer was cryptic, much like the Doctor’s own musings:
“I don’t know. I love being in the Doctor Who audience, and being really excited to not know what’s coming.”
In a time when the world sought solace in stories, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gaiman penned a short story as a prelude to a mass rewatch of The Doctor’s Wife. This dedication to the Doctor Who universe, even when not actively contributing episodes, demonstrates the unwavering devotion of this bard to the show. It is a tantalizing treat for Whovians to witness Gaiman’s continued affinity for Doctor Who.
As the TARDIS continues to traverse the galaxies, only time will tell if Neil Gaiman will once again grace the hallowed halls of Doctor Who’s writing room. The uncertainty adds to the allure, as the Doctor Who saga, much like Gaiman’s genius, is an ever-unfolding tapestry of marvels.
