The following is a list of

script editor A script editor is a member of the production team of scripted television and radio programmes, usually dramas and comedies. The script editor has many responsibilities including finding new script writers, developing storyline and series ideas wi ...

s on the long-running British science fiction television programme ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...

''. This list makes no distinction between the titles "

story editor Story editor is a job title in motion picture and television production, also sometimes called "supervising producer". In live action television, a story editor is a member of the screenwriting staff who edits scripts, pitches stories, and reports ...

" and "

", as both titles were used for the same position while the production was based in London. During the original series, the script editor worked in conjunction with the series producer in developing the creative direction of the series and they held the power to commission

script Script may refer to: Writing systems * Script, a distinctive writing system, based on a repertoire of specific elements or symbols, or that repertoire * Script (styles of handwriting) ** Script typeface, a typeface with characteristics of handw ...

s, effectively becoming second in command to the producer. However, once ''Doctor Who'' moved to

BBC Wales BBC Cymru Wales is a division of the BBC and the main public broadcaster in Wales. It is one of the four BBC national regions, alongside the BBC English Regions, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Scotland. Established in 1964, BBC Cymru Wales is ...

, the title came to describe a significantly different position. Beginning with the 2005 series, the role of the ''Doctor Who'' script editor diminished significantly, in deference to the rise of the new position of "Head Writer".Occasionally, as i
this article
, the press has also used the term "lead writer" In many respects, Russell T Davies and his successor Steven Moffat have proven the closest analogue to the old position, but as they are also

executive producer Executive producer (EP) is one of the top positions in the making of a commercial entertainment product. Depending on the medium, the executive producer may be concerned with management accounting or associated with legal issues (like copyrights o ...

s, they have had a much greater range of responsibilities than script editors of the original series. Script editors of the new series do not have the power to commission scripts. Instead, they act as liaisons between the production staff and the

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

, before passing their joint work to the Head Writer for a "final polish". Moreover, script editors in the BBC Wales version are assigned not to whole seasons, but to individual episodes — or at most "blocks" of 2-4 episodes produced concurrently. Acknowledging that the Head Writer is much closer to being the script editor of the past, Helen Raynor has said that the modern ''Doctor Who'' script editor's job isn't a creative one, but "in the next seat to creativity ... a nuts and bolts job

n which N, or n, is the fourteenth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''en'' (pronounced ), plural ''ens''. History ...

you do participate, you are a part of it, but you aren't driving it." Since the 2011 series, the job description has changed. Lindsey Alford (see above) was credited as "Script Executive" for the 2011 run, Caroline Henry was "Script Executive" on "

The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe" is an episode of the British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who''. First broadcast on BBC One on 25 December 2011, it is the seventh ''Doctor Who'' Christmas special since the show's revival ...

", and in 2012-13 associate producer Denise Paul took the credit of "Script Producer". John Phillips was credited as "Assistant Script Editor" for majority of Series 7 except for "

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" is the second episode of the Doctor Who (series 7), seventh series of the British science fiction television programme ''Doctor Who''. It first aired on BBC One in the UK on 8 September 2012 and on BBC America on the ...

" and " A Town Called Mercy". For

Series 11 Series may refer to: People with the name * Caroline Series (born 1951), English mathematician, daughter of George Series * George Series (1920–1995), English physicist Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Series, the ordered sets used in ...

, broadcast from October 2018, Sheena Bucktowonsing was credited as ''Series Script Editor'' on each episode, alongside other production crew who were credited as ''Script Editor'', ''Script Supervisor'' and ''Assistant Script Supervisor'' on various individual episodes.

Notes

See also