After a messy end to its second season, Doctor Who looks like it’s in more trouble than the Doctor ever gets into with his (or her) enemies. The show thought it had been saved by Disney, which poured in a lot of money—but most of that cash seemed to go into flashy special effects instead of good stories, and now Disney is walking away, leaving the show’s future up in the air.
According to Daniel Richtman’s latest reporting, Disney isn’t planning to give Doctor Who any more money after their two-season deal runs out. That’s why the second season ended abruptly, and why there hasn’t been any news about a Christmas special or a new season. Richtman says the show isn’t about to disappear completely, especially with the 20th anniversary coming up, but any new deals probably won’t be with Disney.
Ncuti and Russell T in happier timesFor years now, long-time Doctor Who fans have complained about the show’s “woke” casting, heavy-handed messages, and writing that just doesn’t cut it. While your mileage may vary, it’s clear that the show has been trying (and failing) to win over new viewers at the expense of its old fans. Under Chris Chibnall, things really started to go downhill, with episodes that felt more like lectures than adventures. And when the Doctor was suddenly a woman, a lot of fans weren’t happy—especially since the writing didn’t help Jodie Whittaker shine.
Ncuti Gatwa taking over as the Doctor gave fans a little hope, especially with Russell T. Davies back in charge and David Tennant making a surprise return, only to be repeatedly scolded for being a white male. No matter what, the show refused to let go of its obsession with diversity and “woke” storylines, and relying too much on old characters and nostalgia to distract people from all the “woke,” which just leaves many longtime fans feeling left out.
Now, with Billie Piper teased to return as the Doctor, and David Tennant maybe coming back again for the anniversary, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen next. But it’s clear that Doctor Who has become a perfect example of “get broke, go woke,” and unless the showrunners start focusing on good stories instead of social messaging, its future looks about as bright as a dead TARDIS.
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English (US) · 