Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat has discussed his early career hit Press Gang, as episodes air again on Rewind TV. In an interview, he compares his upcoming Channel 4 drama Number 10 to the 1989 series. Moffat shares insights on its creation and his writing style.
Press Gang, the ITV comedy drama that aired from 1989 to 1993, followed the production of a newspaper run by young people. Steven Moffat wrote all 43 episodes, establishing him as an established writer and Bafta winner. The series starred Julia Sawalha as ambitious editor Lynda Day and influenced many fans to pursue journalism, including the interviewer Gareth McLean and Radio Times’s deputy editor.
Moffat, who was 26 during production, described the show as “a self-portrait of the people making it — we were just running around being adults for the first time.” He drew inspiration from Cheers, Moonlighting, and The Kids from Fame, channeling their wit, speed, and exuberance. Moffat rejected demands to show more vulnerability in characters like Lynda Day, stating, “I’ve met strong people in my life, and you know what? They’re not particularly vulnerable.” He noted similarities to the Doctor in Doctor Who, who does not seek approval.
Moffat expressed fascination with unrepentant characters, citing Madeline in his 2024 series Douglas is Cancelled, played by Karen Gillan. On modern trends of emphasizing victimhood, he said, “If I was an evil right-winger, I’d be encouraging people to do so, because it doesn’t work — even if it might seem to in the moment.”
Currently, Moffat is working on Number 10, a Channel 4 drama set behind the scenes of an unspecified government party. It stars Rafe Spall as the Prime Minister and Katherine Kelly as his chief of staff. “It’s the closest thing I’ve done to Press Gang,” Moffat said. “Essentially, it’s a workplace comedy, although I don’t really think it’s a comedy any more than Press Gang was a comedy. It’s just quite funny a lot of the time.”
Moffat has not been out of work in 39 years. He avoids watching his old work but is open to a Press Gang reunion, though he doubts it, noting, “We’re all quite long in the tooth to be a voice for today’s youth.” Press Gang airs weekdays at 6:30pm on Rewind TV from Monday 2 March.
