Russell T. Davies

(His reaction shortly after the third series of "The Sarah Jane Adventures" was commissioned) Russell: (It's) an honour and a delight to get a third commission. It's brilliant to see Elisabeth Sladen's Sarah Jane becoming a hero for a whole new generation of kids.

(On "The Fabulous Baker Boys" a BBC Wales production for which Russell is a creative consultant) Russell: This is a brilliant and shining idea, and Welsh right down to its bootstraps. I'm delighted to be a small part of it, and can't wait to see what the wonderful minds of Helen (Raynor) and Gary (Owen) have got in store.

(On trying to sell a television program based on Hazel Tyler a character in Russell's "Queer as Folk") Russell: I once tried to create a spin-off of Queer as Folk with Vince's mother Hazel at the heart of it. At the time, Channel 4 was up in arms that a middle-aged woman would be at the centre of the action, so it never happened. They are idiots. It would have been magnificent.

(On bringing back the Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart from the classic "Doctor Who" in "The Sarah Jane Adventures") Russell: It works beautifully in Sarah Jane because it's as if she goes to visit her grandfather – the wise old man who is the keeper of secrets and can help save the day. They don't have long conversations about how they defeated the Daleks in 1972.

(Talking about the audience of "The Sarah Jane Adventures" prior to the second series being aired and how the age of the audience influence the show) Russell: The one thing I demanded is that the threat would always be real rather than comic, though we make it a lot lighter and with a lot less fear. On Doctor Who we consider the eight-year-olds or the 10-year-olds, but with this you seriously have to think of six-year-olds. It doesn't sound like there is much difference between 6 and 8, but they are actually a vastly different creature. Part of you also has to remember that the six-year-olds watching the series last year are seven-year-olds now, and they are into it, they get the mythology and want to see things dealt with in detail. So the scripts for this second series are a little more complex.

(Discussing the 2008 "Doctor Who" Christmas special "The Next Doctor" before it aired) Russell: It's called The Next Doctor, and there is a major plot twist at the end. We're even thinking of not having a press screening, because we don't think anyone will be able to keep it secret. For the first time we have two men together as leads. It's a small focused idea, a little different.

(Explaining why he isn't worried about the actor that will replace David Tennant in "Doctor Who" shortly after David's announcement he was leaving the show) Russell: The next actor will sit there thinking it's 15 prime-time slots a year on BBC1. It's a great part, a great script - parts like that don't come along very often. I don't really think there will be a problem with the next Doctor being under too much pressure. Actors are clever and very ambitious - they have to be, just to be successful. A lot of actors will actually watch David and say 'I can do better than that' and they'll grab the chance to take over.

(About the process of writing) Russell: The hard thing is having to carve half-formed ideas out of your head and put them on paper. Actually putting them into words other people will understand is a really strange process. It's hard work, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

(Talking about "Queer as Folk") Russell: Queer As Folk is a huge thing on my CV, and still gets mentioned. I love being known for Doctor Who and I love being known for Queer As Folk. I love being known, full stop! In personal terms, Queer As Folk is more apt for me and who I am. I'd love to write stuff like that again.

(On the talk of a possible "Doctor Who" movie) Russell: I haven't had time to spit, let alone make a film. It would be hard but it's a lovely idea.

(On Catherine Zeta Jones being his choice of a companion in a "Doctor Who" movie if such a project was to happen) Russell: Being from Wales myself, I'd love to have Catherine Zeta Jones as a companion for the Doctor. To have anyone else would be inconceivable.

(On the third series of "Torchwood") Russell: The new series of Torchwood is hugely bold and promises to be bigger and better than ever -- the audience is in for an amazing ride. This series is one big serial and the most ambitious story we've ever made, and we've got plenty of surprises in store. More than ever before, this series of Torchwood will be director-led, and it will look absolutely amazing.

(On why "Doctor Who" should never be a woman) Russell: I am often tempted to say yes to that to placate everyone but, while I think kids will not have a problem with [a female Doctor], I think fathers will have a problem with it because they will then imagine they will have to describe sex changes to their children. I think fathers can describe sex changes to their children and I think they should and it's part of the world, but I think it would simply introduce genitalia into family viewing. You're not talking about actresses or style, you're talking about genitalia, and a lot of parents would get embarrassed.

(On what are his projects now that he has left "Doctor Who")
Russell: I get a lot of people who want me to come and make a family drama for them. But having done Doctor Who, I have done the best - anything else would pale in comparison. I have almost got to go and do adult stuff, something a bit cheeky or sexy. I will just see which thing comes to the front of my mind first and start with that.

(On casting Lesley Sharp in "Midnight" an episode of "Doctor Who") Russell: We needed the absolute best for this episode, and we got them. I suggested Lesley - I actually wrote it thinking of her - because I'd been dying to work with her again and she'd keep asking to be in Doctor Who.

(On the importance of Captain Jack in "Doctor Who") Russell: I often get asked to write dramas or films about a man coming out of the closet to his wife, or a man coming out of the closet to his children, or a man who's beaten up because he's secretly gay. I always refuse if it's a negative take on homosexuality - if the only aspect being portrayed is the trouble, the tears and the angst.

(On his relationship with long-time partner, Andrew Smith) Russell: We watch TV and laugh loads. We don't live together, just see each other at weekends. I'm very lucky to have found someone who will tolerate that arrangement. If I'm writing, I would walk over his body if he had a heart attack.

(On Richard Dawkins appearing in "Doctor Who") Russell: People were falling at his feet. We've had Kylie Minogue on that set, but it was Dawkins people were worshipping. He has brought atheism proudly out of the closet!

(on "Torchwood"). Russell: We can be a bit more visceral, more violent, and more sexual, if we want to. Though bear in mind that it's very teenage to indulge yourself in blood and gore, and Torchwood is going to be smarter than that.

(On Casanova). Russell: A dazzling and very funny story about a truly remarkable man, a genuine legend.

(On the success of Series 2 of Doctor Who). Russell: To see the climax get one-and-a-half-million more viewers than last year makes you think, yeah, we've done it. The fear and the wonder of it being a one-off hit has gone now. I think we're guaranteed that Doctor Who will last, and last as a brand...

(When asked what he would have done if he hadn't been a script writer). Russell: All my family are teachers, so I'd probably have gone down that path. That, or a porn baron. But I was quite a good artist, so I might have gone into graphic design.

(On deciding whether or not to do "Doctor Who"). Russell: I love Doctor Who, and part of me thought 'If you love something maybe you should leave it alone'. But it was three days of nonsense really, and my friends were slapping me round the head and saying 'Don't be stupid, of course you've got to do it!'