Malorie Blackman joins Doctor Who TV writing team

Children’s author Malorie Blackman is one of the writers working on the new television series of Doctor Who, the BBC has revealed.

Blackman, who is the first black writer to pen an episode for the series, joins Ed Hime, Vinay Patel, Pete McTighe, and Joy Wilkinson, all of whom are writing for the series that launches in the autumn with Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor.

“I’ve always loved Doctor Who. Getting the chance to write for this series has definitely been a dream come true,” said Blackman.

Blackman has written more than 60 books for children and young adults, including the Noughts and Crosses series, and was Children’s Laureate between 2013 and 2015. She is a longtime fan of Doctor Who and wrote The Ripple Effect (Puffin), a short story published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show, in 2013.

Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall revealed the new TV writers yesterday, saying: “We have a team of writers who’ve been working quietly and secretly for a long time now, crafting characters, worlds and stories to excite and move you. A set of directors who stood those scripts up on their feet, bringing those ideas, visuals and emotions into existence with bravura and fun.

“Hailing from a range of backgrounds, tastes and styles, here’s what unites them: they are awesome people as well as brilliant at their job. (It matters!) They love Doctor Who. And they’ve all worked above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to bring audiences something special, later this year.”