THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIS

“NO. IT’S CATEGORICALLY UNTRUE. It’s 100% grade A… should I say ‘nonsense’, or should I say ‘bullshit’?” SFX is at Roath Lock studios in Cardiff, home of Doctor Who, and the “elephant in the room” question has been posed: is there anything to the persistent rumours that Chris Chibnall’s second series will be his last? The showrunner – whose chipper demeanour suggests he’s either sincere or a pretty talented actor – is adamant. “Is that really the rumour?” he laughs. “I’ll look you in the eyes. Please write this verbatim: somebody made that up. It is a lie! I swear on my life.”

That’s one of the few direct, definitive statements we’ll get today, because the secrecy protocols engaged for Jodie Whittaker’s debut season are continuing for her second. Good news for viewers so spoilerphobic they hate to know in advance. Bad news for everyone else – particularly journalists who have four