• 10th February 2010 • Blog Post by Jonathan Capps •

Den of Geek have taken time out from writing some things with ascending numbers next to them to interview Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes creator Matthew Graham.  This is what he say:

“I’d love to come back. I went to see Piers Wenger and Steven Moffat last year about doing a two-parter for the series that they’re shooting now. And I contacted them and said, ‘Look, I’ve got this idea for a Doctor Who. Can I talk to you?’ And they were, ‘Yeah, yeah. Brilliant.’ And I just couldn’t make the time work, with going to the States and Ashes gearing up again. But I’d love to go back and do some more.

I want to do one with monsters. They owe me monsters!”

What’s more:

“Piers has been really, really gracious and said that if you could come and do a Doctor Who for us, we’d really love to have you back. And I’d love to do it. It’s a fantastic job. A very, very nerve-wracking job. But since I’ve had an even bigger, more scary franchise to get involved with for a bit. And now I’ve got my own to look after as well! It’s a series of people handing me precious objects and saying don’t drop them!”

So, nothing is concrete but it seems he’s hovering on the fringe and is likely to be writing something for series 6.

Now.  Matthew Graham is clearly an excellent writer.  Life on Mars is superb and Ashes to Ashes is at least very good, so the man has pedigree.  At the moment, though, all I have rushing through my head is images of Huw Edwards dribbling on about “peace, and love, and hope” while The Doctor steals the Olympics torch.  Let’s not mince words here; Fear Her was wretched.

However, it’s very difficult to tell how much of that episode was actually Graham.  Since it’s original airing we’ve learnt a lot more about RTD’s re-writing policies, and that throws doubt on how much of the credited writer’s script appears on screen.  Plus, as with Chibnal and Whithouse (both by far more terrifying prospects, given they’re non-Who work is mainly bobbins), I’m willing to give any writer a second chance when THE GREAT MOFF is presiding over matters.  I’d prefer it if he didn’t take up a hallowed two-parter slot but… we’ll see.

Tags: matthew graham, series 6