Jackson likely to direct Doctor Who episode

Sir Peter Jackson.

Sir Peter Jackson appears to be edging ever closer to taking the director's chair for an episode of Doctor Who.

Show producer Steven Moffat, who has previously played down Sir Peter's offer to direct in return for nothing more than a gold Dalek, discussed the idea before an audience at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Britain's Radio Times reported.

"He's serious about it. I was at the Hobbit premiere and he just wants a Dalek,'' Mr Moffat said.

"We give him a Dalek and then he'll direct an episode.''

If it happens, it was "entirely possible'' the episode would be filmed in New Zealand, Moffat said.

Sir Peter's spokesman Matt Dravitzki did nothing to quash the idea today, saying the Hobbit director and "huge Doctor Who fan'' would "absolutely'' be keen.

``... But it's by no means a done deal or anything like that. Peter is directing the Hobbit and will be doing that for some time to come,'' Mr Dravitzki said.

A second Kiwi link to the show is provided by Wellington-based Neil Cross, who wrote two episodes in the latest Doctor Who series.

The show is celebrating its 50th anniversary in November. Eleventh doctor Matt Smith will be replaced in the role at Christmas by Peter Capaldi.