Screen Writer Research: Russell T Davies

Russell T Davies:

Russell T Davies is British TV screenwriter born on 27^th April 2016. He has written a wide variety of TV media. Some of Davies’s most notable work include specific episodes of ‘ChuckleVision’, ‘Coronation Street’ as well as exclusively writing series such as ‘Casanova’. Probably one of Davies’s most prominent and best known works is being the lead writer on as well as rebooting ‘Doctor Who’, acting as lead writer from 2005 to 2010.

His first major writing credits are for the show ‘Why Don’t You?’ in which he provides his writing, as well as directing and producing, various episodes between 1985 and 1990. It was a children’s TV show which inspired arts and creativity, creating both educational messages and pure entertainment for children. Already, Russell T Davies has shown his ability to write for the younger demographic; this is something that proved to be a demographic that he would excel in writing for during later years.

‘Dark Season’ ran in 1991 and comprised of six episodes; this series was also written by Russell T Davies. This series also featured Kate Winslet in her first major TV role. This series is aimed towards a slightly older demographic, adolescents. This again, shows that Russell T Davies hasn’t moved on to an adult demographic, still generally writing for a relatively younger audience.

Other writing credits towards shows like 'ChuckleVision' also demonstrate Davies’s strengths in writing for a younger audience, having strong writing skill for humour. His humour carries on towards shows like ‘Coronation Street’, meaning that he is able to incorporate his same writing style, but for a slightly older demographic. Davies wrote a two weak permanent storyline for coronation street in 1996 and gain in 1997 for a straight-to-video release of ‘Coronation Street: Viva Las Vegas!’

From 1997 to 1999, Davies demonstrated his ability to write for much more mature audiences with the crime drama ‘Touching Evil’. The show was about a police officer whose injuries allow him the strange ability to sense criminals. Here Davies demonstrates his affiliation with paranormal themes, another writing style that would feature in a later prominent writing credit.

That prominent writing credit was for the 2005 revival of the classic TV series ‘Doctor Who’. All of Davies’s past writing credits and styles come together during his run of writing the show. Instead of only writing for one specific demographic, Davies wrote the show for several demographics, allowing for more family orientated viewing. This is a writing aspect for the show which was lost after Steven Moffatt eventually took over, leaning towards a demographic for small children.  He incorporates his paranormal influences which were a perfect match for the show. Also, due to the family viewing, some serious scenes are written to be slightly light-hearted to allow for a wider variety of audience to enjoy.

This culmination of work inspires y own writing through handling serious themes without it being too serious for wider audiences or demographics to enjoy. In my own script in fact, I use  similar light hearted tone at times to relieve the tension during the climax of more serious scenes.

Writing Credits:

‘Why Don’t You?’ (Various Episodes, 1985-1990)

‘Breakfast Serials’ (1990)

‘Dark Season’ (1991)

‘Children’s Ward’ (1992-1996)

‘ChuckleVision’ (Three Episodes, 1992)

‘Century Falls’ (1993)

‘Cluedo’ (One Episode, 1993)

‘The House of Windsor’ (1994)

‘Revelations’ (1994-1995)

‘Springhill’ (1996-1997)

‘Damaged Goods’ (1996)

‘Coronation Street: Viva Las Vegas!’ (1997)

‘The Grand’ (1997-1998)

‘Touching Evil’ (1997)

‘Queer as Folk’ (1999-2000)

‘Bob and Rose’ (2001)

‘Linda Green’ (2001)

‘The Second Coming’ (2003)

‘Mine All Mine’ (2004)

‘Casanova’ (2005)

‘Doctor Who’ (2005-2010)

‘Torchwood’ (2006-2011)

‘The Sarah Jane Adventure’ (2007-2011)

‘Wizards vs Aliens’ (2012)

 ‘Old Jack’s Boat’ (2013)

‘Cucumber’ (2015)

‘Banana’ (2015)

‘Damaged Goods’ (2015)

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (2016)