Who would you like to see writing for Series 9? Obviously Moffat is a given for four or five of the episodes, which of those four or five would you like to see him write? Mark Gatiss supposedly has another script lined up, is that for Series 9 and what would it be? Jamie Mathieson is another popular choice, would you have him back for more? What about Peter Harness after Kill the Moon, or Neil Cross after his divisive Series 7 efforts? How about the rest of the old guard...Gareth Roberts, Stephen Thompson? Have you missed Toby Whithouse in Series 8, should Neil Gaiman give us his third script, would you like to see Paul Cornell or Robert Shearman back if you could? Maybe Russell T Davies could come back to mark the shows tenth 'nu' year? Maybe you have some directors in mind as well if that side of production interests you?

It's been suggested that Series 9 may return to the 13 episode format again, though frankly 12 is also fine by me. Whichever way, how would you line up your writers for Series 9?

I'd go with...

1) Steven Moffat (tone setting of the series)
2) Russell T Davies (a bit of a straight forward monster-of-the-week would be fun!)
3) Neil Gaiman
4&5) Jamie Mathieson (a two parter from him could be very interesting indeed)
6) Gareth Roberts (obligatory light character episode)
7&8) Toby Whithouse (Very good writer IMO, possibly a bit more of a psychological two parter?)
9) Russell T Davies (Bit more of a character drama, given that is RTD's specialty)
10) Mark Gatiss (He's going to be there so may as well include him. A bit more of a comedic and historic episode to break up the serious string of episodes.)
11) Phil Ford (A scary one. And Ford can certainly do scary.)
12&13) Steven Moffat (obligatory finale)

That's the line-up I think would work very well IMO. I really want Mathieson to be given the chance to really shine with a 90 minute adventure!

Honestly, aside from Moffat they're all much of a muchness.

I like Gareth Roberts well enough to give him an episode. He's one of the most consistent. Maybe Chibnall as well. Mathieson did well enough to write another one.

I wouldn't have Gattis or Whithouse back. Gattis I don't consider a very strong writer, at least on Doctor Who, and Whithouse never struck me as really understanding the show and writing it a bit by numbers.

Yeah, I'd approach Shearman again, see if he wanted to come back into the fold. He's a good writer and he knows Doctor Who. It's a shame his first experience was bad enough to keep him away from the the series. From what I read of the constant demands for drastic rewrites of 'Dalek' it sounds like RTD was quite unreasonable, maybe even unprofessional in the way he dealt with a writer new to television. Not a dig at Davies, just an honest impression of what went down.

Speaking of Davies, yeah, I'd invite him back to write an episode. Give him the freedom to make it completely stand-alone rather than heavily tying it into the season continuity. Maybe even let him do a Doctor or companion lite episode if he wanted. That way he can really just do his thing with whatever fresh idea he must have had since he ended his run.

Gaiman: Doctor's Wife was a very good episode (could have been even better without the practical constraints of Doctor Who but you can probably say that about most of the episodes) but Nightmare in Silver I thought was quite atrocious. Characterization is not really Neil Gaiman's thing. His characters tend to be cutouts (I'm very familiar with Gaiman's work, from his early comics and graphic novels (Sandman / Signal to Noise / Violent Cases etc) to his short stories and novels (American Gods, Neverwhere, Stardust, Coraline, Smoke and Mirrors), so I feel I'm versed enough in his work to say that) with no real depth and that was painfully obvious in the latter episode. I'd be willing for him to come back but I would want it to be on a script that was suitable for his talents (ie imaginative concepts, rather than anything character based).

No-one else really stands out to me. I would largely like to try and find new writers.

I'd give Neil Cross and Jamie Mathieson a couple of eps each, and actually I'd bring back Gareth Roberts because I thought that the Caretaker was hilarious. Throw in maybe 4/5 Moff eps and that only leaves a few spaces. I like Thompson's writing but I'd also like to see more of maybe Tom McRae who keeps hinting he may come back.

I wouldn't touch Gatiss with a barge pole. And I wouldn't like to see Whithouse, Ford or Gaiman again.

Maybe a couple of new writers (we've not seen FCB's effort yet, it's supposed to be good)

I would try and find at least 3 new writers per season, if possible. A show like Doctor Who can get stale quickly.

Anyone but Gatiss!!!

Well as it's a dream writer line-up please can some resurrect the late, great Robert Holmes to write an ep for Nu Who

Joss Whedon please.

Although I'd love 13 episodes again, and maybe a two-parter in the middle of the series as well, I'll stick to the Series 8 structure for the sake of this thread...

01 - Steven Moffat
02 - Tom MacRae
03 - Toby Whithouse
04 - Steven Moffat
05 - New Writer
06 - Mark Gatiss
07 - New Writer
08 - Jamie Mathieson
09 - New Writer
10 - Russell T Davies
11 - Steven Moffat
12 - Steven Moffat

Thoughts -
I quite liked the balance of four Moffat stories this year and would repeat it.

I'd alternate year on year between Gareth Roberts and Toby Whithouse. I love them both, but permanently including either leaves less space for more new talent.

Russell T Davies for the tenth anniversary of the show's comeback. Failing him, Neil Gaiman in his spot.

Speaking of Neil Gaiman he's delivered one hit and one clunker. But he's apparently got more ideas, whereas I feel Nightmare in Silver was more of a pitch thrown his way.

Mark Gatiss is more or less confirmed. His episodes are generally less impressive but I felt Robot of Sherwood was harmless enough, and I loved The Crimson Horror. Maybe give him a Paternoster story as he writes for that era well, or maybe the Sea Devils.

I want to see Tom MacRae back, for the supposed Zygon story he was doing.

Jamie Mathieson would be a brilliant addition given the success of his episodes this year. I didn't think much of Flatline but he's very good. It'd be nice to get a new regular from Moffat's era...there's not really been any new, regular blood in years.

As for new writers, I'd like some relative unknowns in there. Catherine Tregenna who wrote for Torchwood was quite impressive, I wouldn't mind seeing what she'd have in mind for DW. Adrian Hodges is another... he was the head writer for Primeval, which I loved anyway, but his episodes were especially good (although near the shows end I preferred what Helen Raynor did to what he did).

I'd honestly like to see Neil Cross and Jamie Mathieson return, the stories they've written are so far my favorite for those series, so I'd like to see them return at some point.

However, I think there should always still be room for new people to write soemthing. At least one or two new writers a series.

I'd quite like Terrance Dicks to write one. Would be interested to see how it would turn out.

I'd like to see some more episodes by Jamie Mathieson. Other than that, I'd like to see some new writers, especially female writers. However, new Who appears to be an "old boys club" when it comes to script writing.

If only.

Something Neil Gaiman posted on tumblr would seem to refute this (ironically, after he posted another thing that said the opposite, it was kind of weird).

Dream line-up, you say?

1. Steven Moffat
2. Charlie Brooker
3. Joseph Lidster
4. Steven Moffat
5. Catherine Tregenna
6. Jamie Mathieson
7. Steven Moffat
8. Toby Whithouse
9. Russell T Davies
10. Russell T Davies
11. J.K Rowling
12. Steven Moffat
13. Steven Moffat

Bonus - Please have Paul Wilmshurst direct all of them.

Just because the sainted Phil Morris said that doesnt make it true. Moffat has tried time and again to bring a female writer to the series and they have all turned it down.

I don't get the celebrity writer appeal. There must be a lot of talent out there without resorting to people whose best work is years behind them. I feel the same when people mention Joss Whedon. J. K Rowling absolutely baffles me. I know it's pointless saying this because people are sentimental about her but the Harry Potter books are average fantasy novels and she has had no interesting ideas since.

What about people who are hungry to get their work out there and hungry to write for Doctor Who rather than casting the begging bowl in the direction of overrated old hacks living off past glories.

I can't really be bothered at this hour to do a whole 12 writers for each episode. But I've said for a while how much I'd love Charlie Brooker to write an episode of Doctor Who. Black Mirror is/was fantastic. I get the feeling his ep would be both hysterical and creepy.

And Armando Ianucci. For no reason other than ot would be both funny and trippy to have a Partridge-esque Doctor for 45 minutes. 'Nice action'

Maybe because I don't see J.K Rowling as an "overrated old hack living off past glories". I see her as someone who wrote books I like a lot and whose potential ideas for Doctor Who I'd like to see.

I knew I was missing someone!

Maybe next year someone can ask for dream S10 writers line-up.

What potential ideas? She's had one idea (Harry Potter) and that wasn't terribly original. But sure, I doubt we'll see eye to eye on that. I would like to see new writers whose best work is ahead of them, possibly even on Doctor Who.

I doubt there were many old school Doctor Who fans who would have put Russell T. Davies or Steven Moffat forward as suggestions for writers they'd love to see on a relaunched series back in the day (I know they already had strong reputations as TV writers but not in fantasy / science-fiction). I don't think there was a big clamour to see the writer of 'Dimensions in Time' return. Hell, does anyone think Douglas Adams would have ever worked on Doctor Who once he was a big name? No, he worked on it when he was young and eager and wanting to get on in his writing career. That's how they got one of the most talented science-fiction writers of his generation to contribute.

Honestly, I don't care what ideas Rowling or Joss Whedon may have. They already used their big ideas in their own creations and would be hacking scripts for Doctor Who.

I suppose my dream writer list would be (by episodes):

01 Steven Moffat
02 Tom McRae
03 Terrance Dicks
04 Helen Raynor
05 Robert Shearman
06 Mark Ravenhill
07 Russell T Davies
08 Jonathan Harvey
09 Toby Whithouse
10 Robert Banks Stewart
11 Noel Clarke
12 Steven Moffat
13 Russell T Davies

That, for me, would one hell of a good series. Would love to see Noel Clarke write for Doctor Who as he did for Torchwood.

Rowling has had more than one idea. There are at least two series of books she’s written that are unrelated to the Potter universe. And Whedon is currently hacking scripts for the Marvel Universe with a fair amount of success. I can think of worse people around to hack scripts for Doctor Who.

I am in agreement with you that getting big names isn’t the right thing to do, because new, untested writers should be given a chance. But just because you don’t care what ideas Rowling or Joss Whedon may have, doesn’t mean that everyone feels the same way.

Una McCormack. She wrote 'An Eye For Murder' for Big Finish, and it was lovely, great ear for dialogue.

Apart from Moffat, I'd like every writer next year to be new to the TV show.

I did a thread similar to this a few months ago. However after seeing Mathieson's episodes I have updated it.

Steven Moffat - I'm sure a lot of people would disagree but I'd keep Moffat as showrunner. He sure knows how to keep an arc going and with writing for six incarnations of The Doctor, he knows the part well.

Neil Cross - It's no secret that I'm a fan of this guy. I was disappointed when I saw he hadn't got a spot in series 8. It thought both his series 7 episodes were great along with his own tv show Luther. I think a spot later in the run would suit him more, when characters have been developed and the arc is in full swing.

Catherine Tregenna - Doctor Who needs a strong female writer and she would be a great addition to the writing team. CJH and Adam are two of my favourite Torchwood episodes and her other two weren't that bad either. I think she should give Doctor Who a shot.

Neil Gaiman - The writer I'm currently most interesting in. He puts all his effort into scripts. I think after the two episodes he's wrote he has a lot more to give and would love to see some more of his episodes.

Paul Cornell - He wrote my favourite two part story with Human Nature and Family of Blood. I think he knows how to pace a two parter and would happily have him back for another. Father's day is a stand out episode for me in series 1. It's a real shame we haven't seen him back since IMO. After series 3 (When I started to realise who were the better writers) Moffat and Cornell were the standouts for me.

Toby Whithouse - Whithouse doesn't write many gems admitting, all but Town called Mercy, I've found entertaining. He's a very diverse writer, none of his episodes are the same. I liked what he did with Being Human and Torchwood. I'd like to see him write more episodes of Doctor Who. Preferably less serious episodes, like School Reunion. He's great at comedy and anyone who watches Being Human will know that.

Wendy West - Sounds a bit strange, but hear me out.... I think she's a great writer. She wrote some of the best episodes for Dexter and has also contributed a lot to L&O: SVU. With the series expanding to America and the states holding some filming locations, I think the American fans would enjoy the fact that an American writer is lined up and make them really feel part of it. West could write a dark 40's noir style crime episode set in America. It'd certainly be different and fun to watch.

Russell T Davies - If there is anything the show lacks now, its some fun light hearted episodes like we saw in the RTD era. I think a nice standalone story with a few comical aspects written by RTD would be great to watch and a nice welcome back for him. In Moffat's opinions he is the best writer in TV and would take him back in a heart beat

James Mathieson - The talking point at the moment. He had wrote two very fresh episode and brought some new ideas to the table. I'm sure he has a lot more to offer, whether he has the time or not. I'd love to see him write some more episodes, even if it is just one a series.

1 - Steven Moffat
2 - Toby Whithouse
3 - Neil Gaiman
4 - Catherine Tregenna
5 - Paul Cornell
6 - Paul Cornell
7 - Neil Cross
8 - Jamie Mathieson
9 - Wendy West
10 - Russel T Davies
11 - Steven Moffat
12 - Steven Moffat

Steven Moffat - 4 episodes (one two parter and two single episodes)
Jamie Mathieson - 2 episodes
Paul Cornell - 2 episodes (one two parter)
J K Rowling 2 episodes (one two parter)
Neil Cross - 1 episode
Toby Whithouse - 1 episode
Frank Cottrell Boyce - 1 episode

So many great writers. So difficult to decide.

In order:
1. Moffat
2. Whithouse
3./4. Rowling
5. Mathieson
6./7. Cornell
8. Mathieson
9. Moffat
10. Cross
11. Boyce
12./13. Moffat