Russell T Davies returns to Doctor Who to restore youth, but is the strategy working?
In the vast universe of television science fiction, few titles match the strength and endurance of Doctor Who. But, after its latest reboot, the series faces one of its biggest challenges: reinventing itself to attract younger audiences while battling a wavering audience. In the year Russell T. Davies, the showrunner who launched Doctor Who in 2005, returned to power with the promise of a fresh and accessible approach.
The impact of Disney+ and the new distribution strategy
Chris Chibnall’s showrunner era left a bittersweet impression among fans. Although Jodie Whitaker shines as the first female Doctor, not all parts receive praise, alternating between mediocre and disastrous. The pandemic didn’t help either, causing significant delays between chapters and seasons. In a desperate bid to save this venerable story, the BBC has teamed up with Disney+ to bring back Davies, the biggest-budget revival to date and a new global platform for the show.
With the inclusion of Disney+, Doctor Who, not only budget-friendly but also accessible, is now being released globally with the promise of revolutionizing reception. However, the UK viewing figures for this new release starring Nkuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson were disappointing. The unique release schedule further complicated the situation, with episodes airing on BBC iPlayer at midnight and TV broadcast times constantly changing.
Rejuvenation with youthful eyes
During a recent question-and-answer session, Davis directly confronted the audience’s fallout. “When I came back, I wanted to keep the series light and young,” he said. According to him, this new direction is paying off especially among the under 16 and 16 to 34 age group, although the overall viewership is not as expected. Despite the drop in initial ratings, Davis points to sustained growth in the 28 days following each episode’s premiere. The first episode “Space Children” has already accumulated 5.6 million views.
Davies said that although under-30s don’t generally watch television, Doctor Who’s numbers in this episode are so unusual that it makes it the BBC’s most-watched program in this age group. “I never thought this would happen, but the numbers prove it,” he said. This marks a significant shift in media consumption habits and raises important questions about the future of traditional television.
As Doctor Who tries to reinvent itself for a new audience, the question remains: Will these changes be enough to ensure the survival of one of television’s most popular series? Only time and figures will tell if a commitment to youth is the answer to the challenges of the digital age.
In addition to the Doctor’s popularity, Doctor Who has captivated audiences with its memorable supporting characters. Among them, Donna Noble stands out, her humor and emotional depth make her popular. River Song is another key character, enigmatic and important to the series’ complex time arcs. Jack Harkness, his undeniable charisma and ability to survive all odds, is so popular that he spawns his own spinner, Torchwood. These characters enrich the Doctor Who universe and add to his emotional connection with fans.