Dr. Who Producer on Queen's Birthday Honours List
The BBC has announced today that
Russell T Davies is on the Queen's Birthday Honours List, and will receive an OBE for his work in recreating Doctor Who and expanding the Whoniverse with Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures. Davies says, "I'm delighted to accept, and I hope it does the whole industry a bit of good, for the writing of television drama to be recognised."
It is a nice symmetry that the producer of new Who has received the same recognition as the show's original producer. Verity Lambert was also honored with an OBE for the extraordinary amount of work she put into British television, launching many television shows, including one about a time traveler in a police call box. (It is said that she is the one who picked the original TARDIS shape.)
For the non-UK readers, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was established in 1917, and is composed of five ranks. OBE is the rank of "Officer" and does not confer knighthood or come with the title of "Sir." The awards are made on the Queen's official birthday (not to be confused with the day on which she was actually born), and thus the title of the "Queen's Birthday Honours."