Russell T. Davies Bio - Russell T. Davies Biography

Russell T. Davies: Biography

Russell was born in Sketty, Swansea in 1963, the oldest of four children. Both his parents were teachers, his father (Vivian) of the Classics and his mother (Barbara) of French. Both his sisters are now teachers, of RE and French.

He attended Olchfa Comprehensive School, Swansea's largest comprehensive school. Russell was a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre.

He graduated in 1984 from Worcester College, Oxford with a degree in English Literature.

Russell has been writing for television for almost twenty years, starting with children's television and then catching the public - and media's - attention with his drama Queer as Folk focusing on gay culture in Manchester.

Currently the chief writer and executive producer on BBC TV's new Doctor Who and Torchwood series.

Russell T Davies' partner is Andrew Smith (a customs officer) but they do not live together.

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

In November 2008, Russell met the winners of the Children in Need contest to visit the Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures studios. It was the first time the studios were opened to members of the public. (edit)
DVD Commentaries

In 2008, Russell provided commentaries for the episodes Partners In Crime, The Poison Sky, Midnight,, The Stolen Earth and Journey's End for the Season Four DVD boxset of Doctor Who.

In 2007, Russell provided commentaries for the episodes Smith And Jones, 42 and Utopia for the Season Three DVD boxset of Doctor Who.

In 2006, Russell provided commentaries for the episodes The Christmas Invasion and Tooth And Claw for the Season Two DVD boxset of Doctor Who.

In 2005, Russell provided commentaries for the episodes Rose and Bad Wolf for the Season One DVD boxset of Doctor Who. He also provided a video diary as well.(edit)
October 2008, Russell was the guest of honor at the reopening of the Doctor Who Up Close Cardiff. The exhibition which showcases props, costumes and monsters from Doctor Who was relaunched to include new displays.(edit)
On the Independent on Sunday's Pink List, Russell as drop a point from 2007 to settle for no 2 in 2008; he was no 18 in 2006. (edit)
Russell names the Doctor Who story The Ark In Space as one of his influence.(edit)
In 2008 Russell appeared at the Cheltenham Literature Festival (Gloucestershire) with John Barrowman to discuss their show Torchwood.(edit)
In the Guardian Media 100 (UK Media power list), Russell had dropped to 31 in 2008.(edit)
Russell received death threats from the gay community when he wrote Bob and Rose, about a gay man who was an affair with a woman. On another occasion, he had an American who claimed he could 'cure' homosexuality banned from a debate, when he asked the host if she would be happy for him (Russell) to babysit her children.(edit)
In the Queen's Birthday Honours, in June 2008, Russell was awarded an OBE for services to drama.(edit)
In June 2008, Russell gave the inaugural Anthony H Wilson Memorial Lecture in Manchester. The Royal Television Society North West are honouring the late founder of Factory Records by introducing this annual lecture.(edit)
Russell T. Davies is stepping down after the 2009 Doctor Who specials, Steven Moffat will take over as lead writer and executive producer of the fifth series, to air in 2010. Russell has insisted that he not receive any preview DVDs of show from 2010 as he wants to watch it 'live' with the rest of the country.(edit)
When Russell's father lost his sight, his mother used to narrate what they were watching on TV. Though she called Queer as Folk porn, it still got this treatment.(edit)
Awards

BAFTAs
TV Award for Best Children's Programme (Fiction) for Children's Ward (1993 ,1996) (Nomination).
Children's Award for Best Drama for Children's Ward (1996 - Nomination) (1997 - Won).

BAFTA Cymru
Best Screenwriter for Doctor Who (2007) (Won)

British Comedy Awards
Writer of the Year (2001) (Won).(edit)
In the Independent on Sunday's annual Pink List - the Top 100 most powerful and influential openly gay people in the UK, Russell was No. 1 in 2007, rising from 18 in 2006. In 2008, he dropped one place to No. 2.(edit)
Swansea Institute awarded him an honorary fellowship in 2005. At the same time, his sister got an MA in Education also from Swansea Institute. In July 2008, he was awarded an honorary fellowship from Cardiff University, for earning international distinction in his field.(edit)
He used to be a multi-camera studio director at the BBC.(edit)
Presented a single episode of Play School (1987).(edit)
Russell`s favourite Doctor is Tom Baker, though his earliest memories of Doctor Who are late William Hartnell / early Patrick Troughton adventures.(edit)
Claims old friend Christopher Eccleston emailed him to be put on the list of possibilities for the role of Doctor Who, but never in a million years did he think he would accept the role!(edit)
Russell has a life size replica Dalek model in his home.(edit)
Russell has written more Doctor Who scripts than any other Doctor Who writer in history. (edit)
Russell left the BBC in the early 1990's to find work on commercial television. The BBC wanted him back so badly that they brought Doctor Who back in the hopes that it would persuade him to return.(edit)
Russell is 6' 5". His friends call him the 'friendly giant'.(edit)
While showrunner, Russell was a consulting editor on all current Doctor Who merchandise. He oversaw all spin-off novels and comics to ensure that storylines do not contradict or foreshadow events in the series.(edit)
Russell was once a presenter of children's television, but left that job to become a full time writer once he had enough money saved up.(edit)
Growing up, Russell watched Doctor Who. He has been a life long fan of the series, and even wrote a novel, "Damaged Goods" in 1996, when the show was still off the air. This book is considered by Doctor Who fans to be amongst the best ever written about the show.(edit)
Russell is not a person who accepts criticism very well. In fact, when asked, he would rather be honest and say how fantastic he thinks his writing really is, but he claims that he doesn't have an inflated ego at all.(edit)
Whilst writing for British soap opera Coronation Street, Russell found it impossible to write for characters that he had grown up watching as a child, so much so that he only stayed on the show for three months!(edit)
Russell was born in Swansea, Wales. He misses the city so much that he wrote a drama, Mine All Mine set there.(edit)
While showrunner, Russell wrote a monthly "Production Notes" column for the Doctor Who, where he goes behind the scenes on production of the series.(edit)
Russell is great friends with Paul Abbott, the creator of Shameless, so much so that Russell asked Paul to write an episode of Doctor Who, but Paul was far too busy!(edit)
The 'T' in Russell's name doesn't actually stand for anything, but is used because there is already a Russell Davies in the Writers Guild of Great Britain.(edit)
When writing episodes for Chucklevision he was credited as Russell Davies.(edit)