Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies is leading tributes celebrating producer and director Amanda Brotchie, who passed away after an illness.
“So sad to hear that the wonderful Amanda Brotchie has died,” Davies wrote on Instagram, celebrating the filmmaker who directed two episodes of Doctor Who season 15.
“We adored her on Doctor Who, every single department loved her. She directed two amazing episodes, ‘Lux’ and ‘The Well’ – both demanded so much precision and style and imagination, unlike any other episodes, and she knocked them out of the park. Brilliantly.”
Davies continued:
“And she was so much fun! Bright and sharp and kind and questioning and always determined to make things better, better, better. Ooh, she could be beady, peering at the script, niggling away at something… until we all realised she was right! God, we adored her.”
The showrunner went on to praise Brotchie’s career, writing: “An award-winning Australian film-maker, she had huge success over here with Gentleman Jack, Riot Women, tons of shows, everyone wanted her. And we got lucky.”
Davies also revealed one of the last conversations he had with Brotchie earlier this month.
“Knowing that she didn’t have much time left, and at peace with that, she wrote to me last week about Doctor Who, ‘I’m so glad I got to work with you and the team, it was a career and personal highlight,'” he wrote.
“For us, too. What a terrible loss. All the love to @zwarwood and family & friends. Good night darling ♥️ xxx.”
Rose Ayling-Ellis, who played Aliss Fenly in Doctor Who episode ‘The Well’ also remembered Brotchie.
“I absolutely adore her. ❤️ Such a huge loss,” she wrote.
Brotchie more recently directed episodes of Sally Wainwright’s Renegade Nell, starring Derry Girls‘ Louisa Harland.
“The greatest,” the actor commented on Davies’ post.
The filmmaker’s husband Adam Zwar shared the sad news of her passing on Instagram, posting a carousel of portraits of his late wife, including pictures taken on their wedding day.
“I’m so sad to tell you that today we lost our beautiful Amanda,” Zwar began.
“Most of you will know her feats as a director – Doctor Who, Gentleman Jack, Lowdown (which she also created), Renegade Nell and Riot Women – that she had a doctorate in linguistics, and was in the seminal 1980s band Not Drowning, Waving.
“But her priority was to cheer on her friends and family. If you were a member of this group, rest assured, your successes brought her the greatest joy, and you were very, very loved.”
Zwar looked back on his 23-year relationship with Brotchie in a beautiful tribute.
“When I first met Amanda, we talked for hours. I assumed she was just one of those remarkable people who got along with everyone. I was right. She did. But it turned out she liked talking to me too,” he wrote.
“We had 23 wonderful years together. I would do anything to get one day back from any one of those years.
“My beautiful girl, I will miss your love, your joyful laugh, your sense of adventure, and your bravery. You never met a spider or snake you didn’t like, always gently ushering them outside while I cowered in the corner. You cooked like you wrote and directed – with perfect balance, effortlessness, and a lightness of touch. I will miss your dhal, your roast chicken, your chilli con carne, your chocolate mousse. I will miss Sunday mornings on the couch, eating pancakes and watching Insiders.
“You were right, I did have to make this about me,” he joked. “Farewell, beautiful. You left the world better. But right now, it feels so much sadder.”
