Last year, when Disney+ was spending heavily promoting “Doctor Who” on the New York subway, the ad campaign wrapped the train with images of incoming doctors Ncuti Gatwa and Tardis from his Time Travel Police Box.
“Your Space Joy Ride is waiting,” the train rapper reads, and Gatois reached out to invite future viewers – many of which are likely new to the show – joined him.
The BBC has been creating “Doctor Who” since the 1960s, and has been exhibited in the US regarding BBC America and HBO Max in recent years. When Disney+ was featured in 2023 as a distribution partner and co-producer, it increased the show's budget.
This has brought “Doctor Who” back to the new season on Friday. Gatois once again played the modern-day doctor who was exposed to his emotions. Welsh screenwriter Russell T. Davis also directed the previous update in 2005, but has returned as a showrunner.
As with last season, the episode will be available simultaneously on BBC streaming services, iPlayer, and other parts of the Disney+ world. This time, the drop was pushed back eight hours later, so the new episode landed at 3am in the East. Perhaps in response to complaints from British fans who had to stay online until midnight last season. Brits who want to watch the TV broadcast of “Doctor Who” (BBC Staples on Saturday Nights) must avoid social media for a day if they want to avoid spoilers.
Gatova was the first black actor to play a doctor, and his tenure was his turn as the first woman in the role of Jodie Whitaker. Gatois' first season was characterized by a strange romance, with an episode called “Rogue” and an all-talk of racism in “Dots and Bubble.”
These progressive casting moves and storylines don't please all viewers. Earlier this year, the British tabloid Sun cited an anonymous source to report that the show was “facing x,” reporting that the ratings had plummeted due to the “awakening” sensibility.
In response to the Sun article, the BBC said in a statement: “'Doctor Who'' is not shelved. As mentioned previously, the decision for season 3 will come after season 2 airing. ”
Therefore, the stakes are high this season. Four “Doctor Who” fans from the US and UK spoke to the New York Times over a video call and shared their opinions on Gatois' performance, Davis's Return and how the show has changed since Disney+ was involved. Their comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Christel Dee, 33
London
I always felt that “Doctor Who” naturally fits into the context of a global franchise. The idea that this little show, which has been featured on the BBC for 60 years, is really exciting to see it hang out with big franchises like Star Wars and Marvel. It creates an entire world of opportunity.
In fact, it was David Tennant who really got me into the show in terms of being a fan. I started going to conventions and meeting other fans and cosplayers. In the first five years I was doing it, it was all my age and we were all tenant fans. But now, when I'm at a convention, it's a lot of people whose introductions to “Doctor Who” were made via ncuti.
As a fan, what I really miss is the moments I sit and watch with my family and friends on Saturday evenings. For those who say that the event TV isn't anything anymore for streaming, watch something like “traitor.” As soon as these episodes come out, everyone is on top of it: conversations, memes, reactions, etc. It still really, really well.
It's very comforting to see “Doctor Who” reach new audiences and reach a more diverse audience. Because “Doctor Who” has historically been an incredibly white man fandom, and the decisions made over the past few years to diversify the show have been truly positive.
Vera Wylde, 43
Vermont
As a performer – and I won't put this down – (Gatova) is the most charismatic person who has taken on the role. He immediately commands the camera.
I have a problem with him in that I feel like I don't really know him as much as I would like. The surface level is totally charismatic and bright as the sun. I got it. What's below it? I'm still working on that.
I had far more feelings about the return of far more emotions (Davis) as a showrunner than Disney was involved in. On a basic level, I'm frustrated with him because he wanted him to come back again like in 2005 and get closer to the season as well. It's almost standalone, with a really blatant mystery box, and the classic-era villain returns, ending with a two-part finale.
He has grown as an artist since he left Doctor Who, so it's the exact same playbook. I'm not going to make it mature content – it's not “torchwood” and I'm not looking for it, but a more grown and mature sense of artistic sensibility.
Patrick Rogers, 22
Preston in the UK
With Ncuti, I knew right away, “Oh, he's going to bring something new to it.” It's like an X-factor, the “sexuality of a doctor” that cannot be expressed in words about him.
I want to see the slightly more serious side to him, but not the emotional cry we've seen before. It's not that I'm not a fan of that. If the character is on the edge of tears but not crying, then it makes you cry as a member of the audience, and sometimes the character is always crying, they agree that it feels like they're crying for you.
Overall, it's really difficult. Because I felt it was a very quality roller coaster. Ultimately, I prefer that. I want to adjust every week and think, “Well, that was great.” And next week, I think, “It was garbage.” Consistently, during Jody's days, I thought it was below average, like 4 out of 10 people a week.
I really want you to look forward to the show and suck new and creative blood. We want to get us a truly exciting showrunner, like Michaela Koell, who can take it in the right new direction, not because of the diversity of box tics. I don't want the next showrunner to grow up in the classic series and become a white guy who's a superboy fan like me.
Tad Davis, 72
Philadelphia
It takes a lot of time to stop watching “Doctor Who.” I mean, I think Doctor Who would come in and lift up the detergent box and say, “You really should buy this detergent,” and stop looking at me as part of the show.
As long as they let go of the content, I thought (Disney+Trades) was great from a distribution perspective. At BBC America, the 50-minute “Doctor Who” episode takes 1 hour and 15 minutes for the commercial. It was impossible to build the momentum of the story.
Ncuti is a very attractive and extrovert. Certainly there's a bit of Tom Baker in his energy. I don't know if he will particularly remind me of any of them as he spends a lot of time hugging him. I think it's an interesting variation for doctors.
He has to work hard to prove himself, as Jody did. Jody is the first female doctor, so she has to work hard. He is the first black doctor, so he has to work hard. Others can just go into the waltz and do what they're doing. They have all these expectations, so they can't just go into the waltz and do what they do.
I'm angry at the fans complaining “I've woken up.” I hate words. There has always been a bias towards dialogue on the show, against freedom, slavery, exploitation, exploitation and prejudice.
