Steven Moffat
Steven Moffat added another award to his shelf: an OBE. The "Doctor Who" executive producer is pictured at the Emmy Awards on Aug. 25, 2014 in Los Angeles. Reuters

It seems pulling double duty on two hit TV shows has paid off for Steven Moffat. The “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock” executive producer received an award from British royalty for his work. He was honored with an OBE, which stands for Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Moffat received his award on Thursday in London. “I've got not one, but two dream jobs,” he explained to the Belfast Telegraph. “So to get this lovely thing for already indulging myself in public, seems like an excess of good fortune.”

OBEs are given to those who provide “distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the civil service and work with charitable and welfare organizations of all kinds,” according to the official website of the British monarchy.

Moffatt has worked on the long-running sci-fi hit “Doctor Who” since it relaunched in 2005. He took over as showrunner in 2010. Simultaneous, he started working on “Sherlock” in 2009. Both have attained success not only in the U.K. but worldwide.

Prince Charles gave the award to the 54-year-old during an investiture ceremony. Moffat commented that the formalities made him feel like a student. “It was very thrilling and formal and slightly, slightly, just very slightly, like being back at school,” he explained. “But nicer because everyone got a prize.”

Unlike other awards for television, Moffat knew he would receive his OBE well before the ceremony. He was revealed as an honoree last year. “I’m astonished and more thrilled than I ever thought someone like me would be,” he told Radio Times in June. “I’m not the least bit cynical, or the least bit trying to be cool about it.”

Moffat isn’t the only member of the “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock” families with a royal honor. John Barrowman, who played Jack Harkness on “Who,” was honored with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2014. "Sherlock" lead Benedict Cumberbatch was given an honor one step above an OBE, a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), in November.

The OBE is one of the last few awards Moffat will receive as the “Doctor Who” showrunner. He’ll step down from the position after Season 10, which will air in 2017.

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