Portal:University of Oxford/Selected biography/47

Russell T Davies (born 1963) is a Welsh television producer and screenwriter whose works include Queer as Folk, Bob & Rose, The Second Coming, Casanova, and the 2005 revival of the classic British science fiction series Doctor Who. Born in Swansea, Davies aspired to work as a comic artist in his adult life, until a careers advisor at his school suggested that he study English literature; he consequently focused on a career of play- and screen-writing. After he graduated from Worcester College, Oxford, Davies worked for the BBC's children's department, Granada Television and as a freelance writer, moving into writing adult television dramas in 1994. His early scripts generally explored concepts of religion and sexuality among various backdrops: Queer as Folk, his first prolific series, recreated his experiences in the Manchester gay scene. His most notable achievement is reviving and running the science fiction series Doctor Who after a sixteen year hiatus. His tenure as executive producer of the show oversaw a surge in popularity that led to the production of two spin-off series, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures, and the revival of the Saturday primetime dramas as a profitable venture for production companies. He was awarded an OBE in 2008 for services to drama. (more...)