Outgoing showrunner Steven Moffat has dropped the identity of who will direct Jodie Whittaker’s first scene as the titular hero in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, and while it’s not a particularly surprising announcement, it’s a welcome one all the same.
In the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (via Digital Spy), Moffat talked about director Rachel Talalay and her incredible work on the show since 2014’s season 8. Though he mentions that Talalay might not do another Who episode, he did reveal that she’s already worked with Whittaker as she was behind the camera for her first scene.
“[Rachel’s] come back to see number 12 off into the shades but I very much hope she’ll be directing more Doctor Whos in the future. She keeps hinting that she won’t, though… You’re already directing the new one – you’re doing the regeneration!”
As Steven Moffat’s explained before, the changeover between the different eras is very sharp and sudden. As soon as Capaldi has filmed his Doctor’s “death,” he and Moffat leave the set with new showrunner Chris Chibnall and Jodie Whittaker stepping into the TARDIS to helm her first scene. This will be a seamless transition for the viewers at home, too, as it will all take place within the same episode. It makes a lot of sense, then, for Talalay to bridge the gap and helm that final scene as well as the rest of the special.
With her other credits including Tank Girl, Nightmare on Elm Street 4, The Flash, Supernatural and others, Talalay has been behind the past three two-part season finales of Doctor Who. She’s one of the few recurring female directors on the show and her work has always been praised by fans and critics. As such, we hope that she’s developed a rapport with Whittaker in their short time working together and will be asked back for Chibnall’s new era.
In the meantime, we now have her work on the Christmas special to enjoy. Also starring David Bradley, Pearl Mackie and Mark Gatiss, the instalment will be Peter Capaldi’s final hour on Doctor Who.
