Some of the best episodes of Who have been directed by Graeme Harper and I just wanted to know if anyone knows why Moffat hasn't used him.

His episodes had such pace. His directing in ''The Caves of Androzani'' was the best of 20th Century who. Even with NuWho, Turn Left and The Waters of Mars are the best directed episodes. I find it baffling that with such amazing episodes under his belt and the fact he is the only person to direct on both old and new who that Moffat has failed to use him.

Maybe Graeme didn't want to do any this year, I'm sure he has other directing commitments. He is also getting on a bit now, maybe he has semi retired.

I know he is still active but surely he would return to Who. He directed episodes over decades and repetitively said he loved it.

He directed the special with tennant and Davison I think. I heard he decided to retire from who when smith left.

GH is my fave Director ever in Doctor Who.

With the exception of 42 and The Waters Of Mars I have loved practically every episode he's ever directed and they cover all my favorite stories in both Classic and New Who.

People wonder what all the fuss is about with The Caves Of Androzani and call it a typical Davison story, aside from many of the other numerous examples that could be used, his direction is a huge part of that story's success. No other Davison story is directed like that one was, it was just so tense the whole way though and add in the incidental music it became even better.

One year on he was doing it all over again in Revelation Of The Daleks and I like this story for exactly the same reasons as I've just stated.

In New who, the Series 2 and 4 finales are my fave and he directed both of them, just fast and furious, thrilling and exciting. Just everything you want from a Doctor Who story.

He's been sorely missed while Moffat has been in charge as those types of stories have been absent for some time now hence why I think most of it, especially Series 5, is a snorefest.

So if he's available let's get him back and inject some thrills back into the show. (imo)

I always enjoyed GH's episodes and he seemed to have so much joy and enthusiasm for directing Who.

It would be nice to have him back again, but ultimately it's his decision and of course, Moffat's.

Would I be right in saying he's the only director to cross over from previous Who to new Who?

Completely agree. Graeme is the best director of Who, really wish Moffat would bring him back.

Yeah he did The Caves of Androzani (4 parts, 1984)
Revelation of the Daleks (2 parts, 1985)
"Rise of the Cybermen" / "The Age of Steel" (2006)
"Army of Ghosts" / "Doomsday" (2006)
"42" (2007)
"Utopia" (2007)
"Time Crash" (Children in Need special, 2007)
"Planet of the Ood" (2008)
"The Unicorn and the Wasp" (2008)
"Turn Left" (2008)
"The Stolen Earth" / "Journey's End" (2008)
"The Waters of Mars"(2009)[13]

Moffat has just generally used his own set of directors. In fact, out of the RTD-era directors, the only one to date to have come back for a Moffat story was Richard Clark (plus Ashley Way, if you count the ones who worked on Torchwood).

Last I recall is that he'd love to do more Who, but his schedule didn't allow for it.

Whether that's still true or not I don't know. Moffat might not want to utilise him anyway.

RTD of course utilised alot of directors he'd previously worked with.

He's my favourite DW director.

My heart always sinks when a thread title contains just a name. For a horrible moment, I wondered if one of Doctor Who's best Directors had just died.

Graham Harper was approached by Moffat's team. But he had just attached himself to another project. Later in the year, he signed on for another project - then the BBC asked again.

So they missed him twice.

Source: Interview with Radio Free Skaro

As someone who has actually worked with Graeme, I can only add that he's a terrific guy to work with, who is well-liked by actors and crew. And I've spoken to him about Who at length. It's fascinating...

It's probably a little unfair to assume that Moffat hasn't wanted him back, and further assume that Harper would have jumped at the chance. If Moffat had been desperate to get him back, and Harper was adamant that he didn't want to, then we would be in the same situation. The truth could be any point in-between.