The future of Doctor Who hangs in the balance. A return is planned for 2026, with a new series and Christmas special, once again guided by Russell T Davies. But is this a rescue mission, or a desperate attempt to recapture lost magic?
Recent ratings have plummeted, and the search for a compelling Doctor continues. The show faces an existential crisis, and relying on nostalgia feels increasingly like rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship.
Davies is undeniably a visionary – the architect of the show’s successful 2005 revival. He navigated challenges with confidence, breathing new life into a beloved institution. Yet, a growing concern lingers: is he still the right person to steer the TARDIS?
A subtle shift became apparent during Ncuti Gatwa’s first season. The most captivating episodes – “Boom” and “Rogue” – emerged from scripts *not* penned by Davies. “Lux” offered a glimmer of brilliance, a self-aware interlude acknowledging the passionate, often critical, fanbase. But one standout episode doesn’t define a series.
Even a vibrant jaunt to 1950s Miami failed to significantly boost viewership, contributing to consistently low figures. The show seemed to be grasping for attention, leaning heavily on familiar faces and callbacks. A fundamental British cultural icon felt…Disney-fied.
Classic villains were sidelined in favor of lighter, less threatening adversaries. Core tenets of the Whoniverse were explained as if to newcomers, alienating long-time fans. Even the season numbering felt like a dismissal of the show’s rich history, adopting a “Season One, Season Two” structure under Disney’s banner.
The reliance on Billie Piper’s return felt like a calculated move, a plea for viewership fueled by nostalgia. While Disney’s involvement might ultimately benefit the show by lessening the pressure to cater to American audiences, Davies’s previous advocacy for global expansion now feels unsustainable. He championed the Disney partnership, envisioning a “Whoniverse” mirroring the Marvel Cinematic Universe – a comparison that now feels unsettling given the current trajectory of both franchises.
The enduring appeal of David Tennant, Catherine Tate, and Billie Piper speaks to Davies’s past successes. But his recent work struggles to reach those heights. Doctor Who needs fresh ideas, a new perspective to rise from the ashes.
Who could take the helm? Charlie Brooker, the mind behind *Black Mirror*, would be a fascinating choice, though the intense scrutiny might be a deterrent. Perhaps it’s time for a woman to lead the show. Kate Herron and Briony Redman, the creative force behind the exceptional episode “Rogue,” demonstrated a talent for sharp, emotionally resonant storytelling. Their work, set to the backdrop of Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” was arguably the most compelling of the recent series.
It’s a difficult admission, given Davies’s undeniable brilliance and the potential for impactful standalone episodes like “Lux.” But revitalizing a franchise of this magnitude demands immense energy. It’s time to pass the torch, to allow a new voice to guide the Doctor into the future.
