Doctor Who isn’t dead – but it does need to avoid one fatal flaw

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Things are getting very dramatic when it comes to Doctor Who.

Because Disney hasn’t announced if the show will continue, people are starting to wonder and worry about its future.

As a big Doctor Who fan and someone who writes about the show regularly, I’m just as eager for updates as you are. I’m right there with you, waiting for news!

I also love a touch of drama. Don’t we all? But even I fear things have gone a little far. Why?

Writer Robert Shearman, known for writing the highly-regarded ‘Dalek’ episode from the first season, recently shared with Doctor Who Magazine that he’s currently feeling disconnected from the show. He described going through cycles of engagement and disinterest, and admitted that right now, he feels the series is in a particularly difficult place, possibly more so than ever before.

I really like Shearman’s work, and ‘Dalek’ is one of my all-time favorite Doctor Who episodes. However, claiming the show is “as dead as it’s ever been” seems like a huge overreaction.

Doctor Who won’t be back on television for quite some time. Disney’s lengthy decision-making process has likely caused delays, meaning filming for new episodes hasn’t been able to start yet.

The new Doctor Who spin-off, “The War Between the Land and the Sea” starring Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, is almost here! While a specific release date hasn’t been announced, it’s expected to premiere in the next few months.

While Disney hasn’t confirmed if it will continue to co-produce Doctor Who, the BBC has made it clear they are committed to the show’s future. At the Edinburgh TV Festival, BBC’s Kate Phillips stated that Doctor Who will remain on the BBC, regardless of Disney’s involvement.

Honestly, comparing this to the end of Doctor Who feels like a huge leap. That show has ‘died’ before – remember 1989 and 1996? – and each time it bounced back, even better than before. It’s just… different, you know?

Shearman also points out that after 1989, there was a working Doctor for many years. Now, anything new related to Doctor Who will inevitably feel like a step back. At least with the New Adventures and subsequent BBC Books, fans knew they were experiencing the adventures of the current Doctor – whether it was McCoy or McGann.

It’s unlikely anyone will begin writing Doctor Who novels featuring a Billie Piper Doctor, simply because it’s a confusing concept for fans. The ending of ‘The Reality War’ feels definitive in a way previous finales haven’t, giving a sense of closure we hadn’t experienced before.

I’m okay with not having a Doctor right now, and I definitely don’t think it means the show is ending. I love how much people enjoy the show’s history! But I am concerned that ‘The Reality War’ will be seen as the final story, which I don’t believe it should be.

While not a disaster on its own, ignoring this plot point when Doctor Who returns could upset viewers. Season 15 has already shown a tendency to abandon storylines – a prime example being Carole Ann Ford’s return, which was anticipated by fans but ultimately featured only a brief appearance.

I’m concerned the show might mishandle Piper’s return. It feels like her character could just be a temporary plot device to create drama at the end of the season, and then be forgotten when a new Doctor is introduced. Ignoring her return would be a major mistake, and could seriously damage Doctor Who’s long-standing reputation.

I’m not suggesting Piper should be signed on as the Sixteenth Doctor for three seasons right away (though it’s tempting!). However, I believe the future of Doctor Who depends on handling that storyline well and not rushing to write Piper’s character out with flimsy explanations for why the Doctor now looks like Rose Tyler.

I truly think Davies could find a way to wrap things up successfully – he’s proven he can do it before. David Tennant got a great conclusion to his time as the Fourteenth Doctor in just three specials, and maybe the same could work for the Sixteenth Doctor. This would give the show a chance to refresh before introducing a new Doctor, which a lot of fans seem to want.

Perhaps the secret to Doctor Who’s continued success – and ability to overcome constant reinvention – lies in its long history. The show has been captivating audiences for over 60 years, and it seems unlikely to change course now.

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2025-10-16 16:08