New ‘Doctor Who’ Episodes Called Out for Disjointed Plot By Former Doctor: “Like Watching a Trailer”
Doctor Who has been a beloved sci-fi show since 1963, with many actors taking on the iconic role of the Doctor over the years. From Tom Baker to Jodie Whittaker, and most recently Ncuti Gatwa, the show has always changed and evolved. But now, some serious questions are being raised about where the series is headed.
Peter Davison, who played the Fifth Doctor in the early 1980s, recently spoke out about his disappointment with the current direction of Doctor Who.
In an interview on The Lewis Nicholls Show, Davison said watching the latest episodes feels like watching random clips rather than a complete story.
“It’s like watching a trailer for a Doctor Who show you’d like to watch later. There are huge gaps in the narrative. They’re just leaping onto the next bit and hoping your brain fills in the rest.”
Davison isn’t just any former Doctor. He has stayed involved in the Doctor Who community for years. His son-in-law is David Tennant, who played both the Tenth and the Fourteenth Doctor. So when Davison shares his thoughts, many fans pay attention.
His comments come at a tricky time for the show. The BBC had a big deal with Disney+ to bring Doctor Who to a global audience during Ncuti Gatwa’s run as the Doctor. But Disney+ recently decided not to renew the deal, leaving the future of the show uncertain.
On top of that, Gatwa is leaving the role, and Billie Piper is set to take over as the Sixteenth Doctor. This is a big change since Piper was originally a companion in earlier seasons. This shift, along with the end of the Disney+ partnership, adds to the uncertainty around the show.
Doctor Who’s ratings have also dropped. Over the last two seasons, the show reportedly lost about 2 million viewers on average. The Disney+ deal helped increase the budget and gave the show more attention outside the UK, but now that boost is gone.
The BBC is searching for a new partner or platform to support the series. According to insiders, talks are underway with a company as big as Disney, but these talks are more complicated. This new company reportedly wants more control over the show and thinks Doctor Who should aim for an older teen audience, similar to shows like Stranger Things.
However, current showrunner Russell T Davies disagrees with this idea. He believes Doctor Who’s success comes from being fun, campy, and family-friendly. This style has been important since the show’s 2005 revival and in the early part of 2024. Davies wants to keep that tone because he feels it is what makes Doctor Who special.
The new partner seems excited to help, bringing in a mix of new and experienced creators, many of whom they have worked with before. They want to keep the show’s British identity and core values. Still, Davies is known for being very careful about who works on the series, which has both pros and cons.
Right now, both the BBC and the production company Bad Wolf support Davies’ vision. He plans to stay as showrunner for at least three more seasons. But everyone knows that continuing the show without a major partner will be tough.
There is a backup plan in place, which might mean shorter seasons or special episodes if needed. Davies is determined to keep Doctor Who going no matter what.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!