Russell T Davies opens up about the likelihood of Alex Kingston’s River Song ever returning to the TARDIS in Doctor Who season 15 and beyond after cast and crew shared their hopes for a reunion. Kingston made her Doctor Who debut in season 4’s “Silence in the Library” and “Forest of the Dead”, where she emerged as a figure who had an intimate relationship with the Time Lord, even though David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor had just met her for the first time. While she gave her life in her debut two-part story, Kingston would reprise her role across Steven Moffat’s show-running tenure.
With Doctor Who season 15 filming wrapped, Davies spoke to Collider about the future of the sci-fi series, including clarification on whether a certain close companion to the Time Lord could reunite with Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. The showrunner firmly ruled out any appearances as River Song in the near future, despite both he, the crew, and fandom having an incredible appreciation of Kingston’s character. Check out Davies’ full response below:
Is River Song’s Story Truly Over?
The Fifteenth Doctor May Need A Friendly Face Following Season 14
Death has not stopped River Song from further adventures.
Despite dying in her debut story to prevent the Tenth Doctor from spending his own life, River Song’s complicated timeline was thoroughly fleshed out throughout Moffat’s Doctor Who era. From her parentage and birth, her childhood being raised as the perfect assassin to kill the Doctor, to their relationship up to their final meeting before the Library, River Song’s story is seemingly complete. However, her death has not stopped River Song from further adventures, as both the series and expanded media have explored potential avenues to bring her back.
Furthermore, now may be a perfect time for the Fifteenth Doctor to reunite with his wife, as the Time Lord is left reeling after the events of Doctor Who season 14, left alone to ponder his place in the world after being used as a means to annihilate all life in the universe. River previously asked Nardole (Matt Lucas) to assist the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) following her “death”, ensuring he stays who he is. However, the Doctor stated in season 14 he was worried about harming those he loves, meaning he may not accept River’s aid if they reunited.
With the Doctor’s current state of mind going into Doctor Who‘s 2024 seasonal special, it is hard to determine whether a familiar face is what he needs right now to rediscover his spark to travel with others, but there is little doubt that River would do her best to aid him. However, Davies has teased the upcoming episode as an exploration of the Doctor when left alone, so it is clear familiar faces may not be meeting the Doctor, let alone River. However, with his celebration of Kingston’s performance, it is clear the showrunner understands why River remains beloved.
