The Works of Russell T Davies

The first critical study of internationally acclaimed writer Russell T Davies from an array of leading scholars and emerging talents.

The Works of Russell T Davies is part of Bloomsbury’s Screen Storytellers series, which brings together a collection of essays that look critically at the works of one of the most prolific and accomplished writers in television history.

Since his earliest days working on children’s shows such as Why Don’t You? and Children’s Ward, Russell T Davies has had an innovative and often transformative influence within the industry. Davies has produced original dramas and adapted works that dovetail with key social themes, becoming definitive contributions in the shaping of cultural debates. His 1999 series Queer as Folk was a landmark portrayal of gay communities, whilst 2021’s It’s a Sin offered a powerful depiction of the 1980s HIV/AIDS crisis, receiving universal acclaim. His work spans genres, from the period dramas and biopics of The Grand, A Very English Scandal, and Nolly to the dystopian fictions of The Second Coming and Years and Years. In 2005, he gained international recognition as he successfully resurrected Doctor Who, returning as showrunner in 2023 and launching the spinoff series Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Whilst acknowledging the breadth of Davies’ career, this collection provides focused critical analysis of his work and his achievements as a television writer. Chapters center upon individual works or explore themes across different shows within his diverse output. Some discussions reflect Davies’ commitment to representing marginalized or minority groups on screen and his consistent engagement with LGBTQIA+ communities in his storytelling. In keeping with the structure of the Screen Storytellers series, chapters in the collection address three overarching themes: Works of Love, Works of Power, and Works of Art.