Showrunner Russell T. Davies revealed screenwriter Paul Abbott’s episode would have changed the whole direction of one of the series’ most iconic storylines
Russell T Davis has admitted a cancelled Doctor Who episode would have changed the show’s trajectory (Image: BBC)
A Doctor Who episode that ended up getting cancelled could have drastically altered one of the series’ most iconic storylines. What’s more, it could have potentially changed the relationship between the Doctor and his companion, Rose Tyler (played by Billie Piper) in a way that would have cast a darker shadow on the show.
In an issue of Doctor Who Magazine from 2005, writer and showrunner Russell T. Davies revealed that screenwriter Paul Abbott was originally set to write episode 11 of the rebooted first season. The planned episode, titled The Void, would have introduced a shocking twist: Rose’s connection to the Doctor wasn’t just a matter of fate — it was by design. The episode’s premise suggested that the Doctor had played a role in Rose’s creation, manipulating events to ensure she would become his companion.
Billie Tyler was a fan favourite as Rose Tyler in Doctor Who (Image: BBC)
Ultimately, Abbott’s episode never materialised, and it was replaced by Boom Town. Looking back, Davies acknowledged that The Void could have fundamentally altered the emotional trajectory of Rose’s character and her bond with the Doctor. Rose, played by Billie Piper, served as an audience surrogate when Doctor Who returned after a 15-year hiatus.
Viewers experienced the wonders of time and space through her eyes as she embarked on adventures alongside Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor. Over time, her trust in him deepened, culminating in her pivotal decision to absorb the Time Vortex and save him in the season finale, a moment that revealed she was the mysterious “Bad Wolf” referenced throughout the season.
Russell T Davis has been refelecting on Doctor Who’s story tragectory (Image: Getty)
Had The Void been produced, the revelation that the Doctor had orchestrated Rose’s existence would have significantly altered this dynamic. Rather than a story of trust and growth, their relationship would have taken on a manipulative, unsettling tone. It also could have reshaped the show’s future, potentially changing how Rose’s story developed alongside David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor in later seasons.
While Doctor Who has explored morally complex aspects of the Doctor’s character—such as in Dalek and Boom Town—the idea of him engineering his companion’s life would have been a step too far. Instead, Rose’s journey remained one of personal agency, making her final farewell in Doomsday all the more heartbreaking.
