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Douglas Rodger Naylor, born in Manchester on December 31, 1955, is an English writer, director, and television producer. He gained significant recognition as the co-creator of the enduring British science fiction comedy series, Red Dwarf. Naylor's career began in radio, where he wrote and created sketch shows and sitcoms for BBC Radio 4 in the mid-1980s, often collaborating with Rob Grant. This partnership proved highly successful, leading them to write and produce numerous radio and television programs throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Under the joint pseudonym Grant Naylor, they co-created Red Dwarf, drawing inspiration from their earlier radio work. The series has achieved cult status and critical acclaim, including an International Emmy Award and multiple British Comedy Awards. Despite a professional split between Naylor and Grant, Naylor continued to develop and write for Red Dwarf, overseeing multiple subsequent series and specials. He has also authored novels related to the Red Dwarf universe. Naylor's production company, Three Feet Productions, co-founded with his son, continues to be involved in television projects.

Doug Naylor's writing career commenced with a focus on comedy for BBC Radio 4 during the 1980s. He developed and scripted several shows, including the sketch series 'Cliché' and 'Son of Cliché', alongside sitcoms like 'Wrinkles' and 'Wally Who?'. These early projects were often co-written with Rob Grant, initiating a significant creative partnership. Together, under the shared pseudonym Grant Naylor, they went on to pen and produce a variety of British radio and television series. Their collaborative efforts extended to popular programs such as 'The Cannon and Ball Show', 'A Kick Up The Eighties', and 'Spitting Image'. They also achieved chart success with novelty singles like "Father Christmas is on the Dole" and "The Chicken Song".

The most prominent achievement of the Grant Naylor partnership was the creation of the science fiction comedy television series, Red Dwarf. The show's genesis can be traced back to their earlier radio sketch shows, with actor Chris Barrie appearing in both. Red Dwarf quickly garnered a dedicated following and critical recognition, including an International Emmy Award for the episode "Gunmen of the Apocalypse" in 1994 and 'Best BBC Comedy Series' at the British Comedy Awards the same year. While the partnership between Naylor and Grant eventually dissolved due to creative differences, Naylor continued to spearhead the Red Dwarf franchise. He took the lead in writing and producing subsequent series and specials, ensuring the show's longevity and continued popularity.

Following the dissolution of his partnership with Rob Grant, Doug Naylor took on the primary writing responsibilities for the seventh and eighth series of Red Dwarf. He has also authored novels expanding the Red Dwarf universe, including 'Last Human', 'Primordial Soup', and 'Son of Soup'. Naylor has remained deeply involved in the Red Dwarf franchise's various iterations, including DVD releases and television specials. He wrote and directed the 2009 special 'Back to Earth' and later helmed the six-episode series 'Red Dwarf X' (2011) and a further 12 episodes across 'Red Dwarf XI' and 'Red Dwarf XII' (2016-2017). More recently, he wrote and directed the 2020 television special 'Red Dwarf: The Promised Land'. His production company, Three Feet Productions, co-founded with his son Richard, has also been involved in producing these projects.